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 . . .
Astra Crompton – Mentee
Sarah Remy – Mentor
Sarah, why did you choose Astra?
I fell in love with Juniper and Blooms from almost the very first page. An asexual main character and her adorably fierce agender guardian spirit solving MURDER and banishing MONSTERS? What’s not to love? Astra has a fantastic, quirky voice and her world building left me alternately spooked by shadows, and starving for biryani.
Astra, why did you choose to submit to Sarah?
I discovered Sarah during last year’s Pitch Wars, when I submitted a (very different) project, and have been following them ever since. Their work and interests really struck a chord with me, and this year, when I saw their wish list, it felt like a great fit for Grigori Blues!
Sarah, summarize Astra’s book in 3 words.
Oh lord, I always hate this part. Only three words? GHOSTS. GRIGORI. (Really, Really) GOOD!
Astra, summarize your book in 3 words.
Oh, gosh. Brevity isn’t my strong suit, so I’m going to respectfully steal from Sarah’s summary and continue the alliteration: spooky, suspenseful, and sentimental.
Sarah, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.
I’ve seen my share of ghosts (Two. Two is quite enough, thank you.) and I totally believe in supernatural influences. I love how Astra worked her affinity for the paranormal into GRIGORI BLUES. There was a real authenticity to Juniper’s practice that I appreciated.
Astra, what do you hope to get out of the Pitch Wars experience?
I came into this with a manuscript that only had one round of beta feedback. I knew there were some plot issues that needed help but wasn’t sure which direction to take it. I’m so enjoying working with Sarah to iron out the knotted threads and hopefully strengthen the trajectory and tension. I’d love to be able to officially start querying in 2022. And, ideally, we can continue cheering each other on long after Pitch Wars is over!
Astra, tell us about yourself. What makes you and your manuscript unique?
I’m a die-hard fantasist, but I like to play with what exactly “fantasy” means. I tend to mash fantasy into various other genres or subgenres that I love, and this manuscript is a prime example of that. It grew out of my love for cozy murder mysteries, and the paranormal, and complicated antagonists. Also, as a queer person, it was really a joy for me to get to write some asexual rep and agendered rep.
Check out Sarah’s latest release, REMEDY …
Order Now!At just 28, Peter is one of the youngest athletes ever to secure a spot on Team USA’s Show Jumping roster for the Paris Summer Olympics and a shoo-in to win individual gold—
—until a freak on-course accident badly injuries Peter and the talented mare he’d been riding. Dreams of success in Paris quickly coming apart, he holes up at the family complex, Tulip Farm, to rehab and re-assess.
Reed Androku has recently chosen to follow their passion: holistic equine rehabilitation. Tulip Farm—an immaculate facility run by the famous McAuley-Griffin clan—seems the perfect place to chase that dream.
Peter needs healing, and a reason to hope. Reed’s got a knack for rehab and a soft-heart for hard cases, but they also have a dangerous secret. Fate throws Peter and Reed together, sparking a passion that could turn into something deeper, but first they must weather Peter’s recovery, the McAuley-Griffin family’s obsessive need to meddle, and Reed’s violent past.
A HEA with content warnings for homophobia, gun violence, and implied self harm.
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.