Our mentors are editing, our mentees are revising, and we hope you’re making progress on your own manuscript! While we’re all working toward the Agent Showcase starting on February 5, 2020, we hope you’ll take a moment during your writing breaks and get to know our 2019 Pitch Wars Mentor and Mentee Teams.
Next up, we have . . .
Jenny Coon Peterson – Mentee
Sabrina Lotfi – Mentor
Carrie Allen – Mentor
Sabrina & Carrie, why did you choose Jenny?
Sabrina: So, so many things. I fell instantly in love with Marnie’s voice, story, and cat cardigans. Jenny’s humor is perfect, and Marnie’s family dynamics, friendships, and romance give me ALLLL the feels. Plus…THERE ARE PUPPIES!
Carrie: From page one, Jenny’s manuscript checked all the boxes: girl power, a voice that slays, exactly my kind of humor, creative premise, and (obviously) PUPPIES. But loving the manuscript you choose is only half of the equation. You also need to know how you want to approach edits, and we felt that we understood Jenny’s vision for her work and what the manuscript needed to get there.
Jenny, why did you choose to submit to Sabrina & Carrie?
For all the reasons. ALL of them. Reading through Carrie and Sabrina’s wishlist was like an episode of Oprah’s favorite things. They were looking for retellings and smart girls and humor and found families, and I was like, gimme! Also, when I read that Carrie values punctuality I knew we’d be a great match (while always metaphorically showing up fifteen minutes early for everything).
Sabrina & Carrie, summarize Jenny’s book in 3 words.
Sabrina: Being. Mary. Bennet.
Carrie: Cat sweater fetish. Prickly organized bibliophile. Boy/puppy crushes. Sabrina is right, though– the title nails it. We all have a Mary Bennet in us (some of us more than others) and too often we feel we have to apologize for her. Ooh, there’s my three words: Embrace your Mary!
Jenny, summarize your book in 3 words.
Underdog + literal dog
Sabrina & Carrie, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.
Sabrina: One of the things that drew me to Jenny’s story were the shelter puppies! I’m a huge animal lover and always rescue. I found my newest baby, Ginny Weasley, this summer at the shelter with her brother Ron and mama Molly, and we fell in love instantly. Now I’m swimming in Jennys and Ginnys, and I spend a ridiculous amount of time making sure I spelled their names right whenever I get to gush about them! 🙂
Carrie: Like Jenny’s main character, my first crush was also Gilbert Blythe! When I read that line in the manuscript, I sent Sabrina a screenshot circled in purple. And then I taped up my knuckles to fight off the other mentor teams.
Jenny, what do you hope to get out of the Pitch Wars experience?
This business can be a very solitary endeavor, so the chance to work closely with mentors who adore my story is thrilling. I love that I can be like, ugh, this character, right? and they’re like, yeah, that character, we know. It’s not just a boost to my writerly confidence, but a balm to know they’re invested in this little story of mine. Also, the whole Pitch Wars ’19 class is full of icons-in-the-making, I’m sure of it. It’s been wonderful feeling part of this whole amazing, insane experience with a group of fellow writers. TL;DR It’s about the community!
Jenny, tell us about yourself! What makes you and your manuscript unique?
Well, I’m a Pisces-Aquarius cusp, according to my high school boyfriend’s little brother. Okay, really! I’m a former journalist who now spends my days adventuring with my sons, a five-year-old who loves orca whales and a one-year-old who legit thinks his older brother’s name is Orca since he hears that word so much.
I think my writing voice (hopefully!) makes my manuscript stand out. I used that voice to bring a character to life who was long overdue for a bit of love: Mary Bennet (as in, the middle sister from Pride & Prejudice). Hopefully, I’ve given this prickly, overlooked character her own satisfying, happy ending that her older sisters got two hundred years ago (she’s been not-so-patiently waiting). The other thing that makes my manuscript unique: only the best name for a weirdo shelter dog ever.
Check out Carrie’s latest release, MICHIGAN VS THE BOYS.
When a determined girl is confronted with the culture of toxic masculinity, it’s time to even the score.Michigan Manning lives for hockey, and this is her year to shine. That is, until she gets some crushing news: budget cuts will keep the girls’ hockey team off the ice this year.
If she wants colleges to notice her, Michigan has to find a way to play. Luckily, there’s still one team left in town …
The boys’ team isn’t exactly welcoming, but Michigan’s prepared to prove herself. She plays some of the best hockey of her life, in fact, all while putting up with changing in the broom closet, constant trash talk and “harmless” pranks that always seem to target her.
But once hazing crosses the line into assault, Michigan must weigh the consequences of speaking up — even if it means putting her future on the line.
Thank you for supporting our Pitch Wars Teams! The Agent Showcase is February 5 – 10, 2020, and our next Twitter Pitch Party on #PitMad is March 5, 2020! Want to know more about #PitMad? Go here.