Our mentors are mentoring, 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 10, 2021, we hope you’ll take a moment during your writing breaks and get to know our 2020 Pitch Wars Mentor and Mentee Teams.
Next up, we have . . .
Lynnie Purcell – Mentee
Gwynne Jackson – Mentor
Gwynne, why did you choose Lynnie?
This year, I was looking for something light-hearted and fun. The minute I read Lynnie’s urban fantasy JUNE DALEY VS THE UNDEAD, I was hooked. It’s a nonstop roller coaster ride through a dangerously magical NYC, which coincidentally happens to be my hometown of record. Her book is full of snark, sarcasm, and whimsy and at the same time the characters and characterization are so well done and so unique, I couldn’t possibly have passed up the chance to work with it. And now that I’ve worked with Lynnie for a bit, I realize she’s every bit as snarky, sarcastic, and whimsical as her book. Win/win!
Snark seems to be a theme this year. I like it. Now, Lynnie, why did you choose to submit to Gwynne?
I was drawn in by the humor and confidence I found throughout her blog page and the way she presented herself. Her sass and surety in what she wanted made me feel like Gwynne would not only get me but the story I was trying to tell. I’ve been right – and super grateful for it!
Gwynne backs it all up with amazing competence. You’re in great hands! And, Gwynne, summarize Lynnie’s book in 3 words.
Droll magical heroics.
Lynnie, summarize your book in 3 words.
Snark, family, magic.
Gwynne, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.
Living on an island is always an adventure. People see “island” and think palm trees and sand–don’t I wish–but it’s a little different up here in Puget Sound. Think Doug firs, log ladies, cherry pie, and a fine cup of joe. It’s fun watching pods of orcas swim by, and I love kayaking to a little spit of rock that’s home to harbor seals, shorebirds, and the occasional sea lion. We routinely have to stop the car to let sea otters cross the road. Sometimes, they tumble down from the hill across the street, land like indignant giant dog/cat hybrids, then go back to do it all over again.
It sounds beautiful, but you had me at “a fine cup of Joe”! So, Lynnie, what do you hope to get out of the Pitch Wars experience?
I want to make the best version of my book possible so that people will read it and take some joy from it one day. Also, I hope to learn some different ways to think about crafting stories, understanding characters, and making smart choices about what readers want to see.
Lynnie, tell us about yourself. What makes you and your manuscript unique?
I think it’s uncool that so many people like to put raisins in cookies, particularly when they don’t tell other people it’s not chocolate. It makes me sad to bite into a murder cookie when it could have simply been delicious instead. I will passionately defend Mr. Darcy if anyone tries to make him out to be the bad guy, and I think it’s really stupid that people get mad at foreign films because they have subtitles. I also have an unhealthy obsession with documentaries and want to understand everything at all times, but it’s nothing compared to my unending search for the perfect comedy.
Speaking of comedy, I feel like my book is pretty funny. I’m sure there are many hilarious people in this year’s list of mentees, so I don’t think this makes my book unique exactly, but I’m really proud of that aspect of it. I also think June is complex, fun, sassy, and someone worth getting to know, especially in the world of modern magic I’ve created for her and the contemporary navigating of what trolls, ogres, giants (oh my!) look like in New York City.
It made me happy to write, and I hope that maybe one day it’ll make others just as happy.
Trolls, ogres, and giants (oh my!) in NYC? What’s not to like? Thank you both for the interview!
Thank you for supporting our Pitch Wars Teams! The Agent Showcase is February 10-15, 2021. Make sure to stop by then and check out all our mentees’ entries when it opens.