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 9, 2021, we hope you’ll take a moment during your writing breaks and get to know our 2021 Pitch Wars Mentor and Mentee Teams.
Next up, we have . . .
Alejandra Velutini – Mentee
Laurie Dennison – Mentor
Laurie, why did you choose Alejandra?
I absolutely fell in love with Alejandra’s story. I was immediately captivated by the beautiful world, and I couldn’t wait to follow Kaira on her journey as a fierce, reluctant queen. Once I got my hands on the full manuscript, I read it in one sitting! The family dynamics were right up my alley, from the complicated sister relationships to the complex father-daughter issues. Of course I also loved the romantic element, with a nuanced, swoony love interest!
Alejandra, why did you choose to submit to Laurie?
I submitted to Laurie for many reasons. I immediately considered her after going through her wishlist and reading that she was all about love, happy endings, and complex family relationships. Then, when I read about her previous experience and her many years as a mentor, coupled with her collaborative mentorship style, I knew I would love to work with her.
Laurie, summarize Alejandra’s book in 3 words.
Lush. Magical. Resonant.
Alejandra, summarize your book in 3 words.
Love. Sacrifice. Healing.
Laurie, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.
I live in a very small town in Florida; we don’t even have a red light! There are advantages, of course, like having room for all of our dogs, cats, and pet goats. I do miss being closer to more people, activities, and stores, especially bookstores, but living here has given me plenty of writing inspiration these past few years!
Alejandra, what do you hope to get out of the Pitch Wars experience?
For me, Pitch Wars is about growing as a writer with the support of an experienced mentor like Laurie and connecting with a community of writer friends that hopefully lasts a long, long time. It’s been only a few weeks, yet I’ve already learned so much and met amazingly kind people.
Alejandra, tell us about yourself. What makes you and your manuscript unique?
I’m a Venezuelan now living in Spain due to the harsh living conditions in my country of birth, but the distance has only made my heart grow fonder. That’s why I set out to create a story that will hopefully make others fall in love with Venezuela (especially the arepas), and that will serve as a reminder that love can heal any wound: a broken heart, an estranged relationship, a divided civilization—even a dying magical barrier like the one that protects the underwater world in my manuscript.
Thank you for supporting our Pitch Wars Teams! The Agent Showcase is February 9-14, 2022. Make sure to stop by then and check out all our mentees’ entries when it opens.