MENTOR: Sean McConnell MENTEE: Jak Szabo TITLE: CONFESSION CATEGORY/GENRE: YA Historical WORD COUNT: 75,000 PITCH: In exchange for her birth name, liar extraordinaire “Soledad” must con the Inquisition on orders from her guardian, a mysterious masked man rumored to be the Devil himself. V for Vendetta meets Les Misérables, Read more…
MENTOR: Trisha Leaver MENTEE: ERIKA DAVID TITLE: THE BARRENS CATEGORY/GENRE: YA Contemporary Sci-fi Thriller WORD COUNT: 87,000 PITCH: When a scientist and his teen sons join her subterranean biomine, Niko thinks her life is finally beginning. But the thrill of a first boyfriend is overshadowed by mysterious accidents and Read more…
MENTOR: Lori Goldstein MENTEE: Laurie Elizabeth Flynn TITLE: FIRSTS CATEGORY/GENRE: YA Contemporary WORD COUNT: 75,000 PITCH: Seventeen-year-old Mercedes provides a unique service to the virgins of Milton High: the opportunity to get their awkward first time over with, judgment-free. But when her best friend’s boyfriend wants into her bedroom, Read more…
MENTOR: Rin Chupeco MENTEE: Josh Hlibichuk TITLE: THE STEAMSMITH CATEGORY/GENRE: YA Fantasy WORD COUNT: 89,000 PITCH: When his genius father goes missing, a young alchemist must survive a city-bombing madman and scheming sky pirates to discover whether his parent deserves to be rescued… or apprehended. EXCERPT: “Is Adelaide Read more…
MENTOR: Evelyn Ehrlich MENTEE: Emily Martin TITLE: BETWEEN BROKEN ENDS CATEGORY/GENRE: YA Contemporary WORD COUNT: 60,000 PITCH: Carson High slut Harper Sloan is resigned to her reputation, until her former best friend—who also happens to be the first and only boy she’s ever loved—shows up in her small town, Read more…
MENTOR: Lindsay Currie MENTEE: Kes Trester TITLE: 7 DAYS GENRE: YA Thriller WORD COUNT: 65,000 PITCH: A teenage science prodigy uses her expertise to find her mentor’s killer, track a ticking time bomb, and save an American city from destruction. Think Veronica Mars meets Jack Bauer. EXCERPT: Spilling tea on Read more…
MENTOR: Laura Tims MENTEE: Kerbie Addis TITLE: THE NORTHERN GASH CATEGORY/GENRE: YA High Fantasy/Dark Fantasy WORD COUNT: 85,000 PITCH: Accused traitor Princess Scarolena must escape prison and clear her name with the help of a creature born from her shadow—before the real assassin succeeds in killing her mother, the Read more…
MENTOR: Renee Ahdieh MENTEE: Alex C. Pierce TITLE: CROW’S BLOOD CATEGORY/GENRE: Young Adult Fantasy WORD COUNT: 91,000 PITCH: Framed for murder, professional thief Ren is hunted by magic-eating Inquisitors and the Captain of the Royal Guard. His life becomes a fight in the shadows to prove his innocence . . Read more…
MENTOR: Renee Ahdieh MENTEE: Alex C. Pierce TITLE: CROW’S BLOOD CATEGORY/GENRE: Young Adult Fantasy WORD COUNT: 91,000 PITCH: Framed for murder, professional thief Ren is hunted by magic-eating Inquisitors and the Captain of the Royal Guard. His life becomes a fight in the shadows to prove his innocence . . Read more…
MENTOR: Eden Plantz MENTEE: Bryson McCrone TITLE: FINDING SIMON HASTINGS CATEGORY/GENRE: YA Contemporary WORD COUNT: 63,000 PITCH: Simon has always been confused about his sexuality — And that was before being raped by a man. Now, he’s more confused than ever and must overcome his past to discover who he truly is. Read more…