Pitch Wars Blog Archive

B3: MG Fantasy: PRINCESS CORDELIA BREAKS THE RULES

Title: PRINCESS CORDELIA BREAKS THE RULES Age Category: Middle Grade Genre: Fantasy Word Count: 30,000 Pitch: Of all the rules a princess must follow, Cordelia detested number ten the most: Wait patiently for your prince to rescue you. When he doesn’t show, she dares rescue herself. But someone plots her failure. First 250 Word of Manuscript: You’d think being a princess was easy, but it’s harder than you think. It sounds dramatic, but I promise Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

B4: YA Paranormal Romance: A RAVEN’S CRAVING

Title: A RAVEN’S CRAVING Age Category: Young Adult Genre: Fantasy Word Count: 83,000 Pitch: Wielding magic is amazing; it’s the addiction that bites. Raven’s fourth magic overdose lands her in rehab where two bewitching love interests pit her against herself, ultimately, forcing her to choose between love and freedom. First 250 Word of Manuscript: No one told me about the addiction—how it eats through the body, biting and burning every nerve until there’s nothing left, Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

B5: YA Fantasy: FACING DEMONS

Title: FACING DEMONS Age Category: Young Adult Genre: Fantasy Word Count: 108,000 Pitch: In an African inspired fantasy, twin mercenaries Niles and Cassia must hunt for a hidden foe, bearing encrypted letters. To succeed means unearthing a past best kept buried. But their secrets might bury them anyway. First 250 Word of Manuscript: The guard stared at Cassia’s hands, searching for signs of Aeliana’s fire. He would find none. He motioned for her to flip Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

B6: YA Fantasy: EVENTIDE

Title: EVENTIDE Age Category: Young Adult Genre: Fantasy Word Count: 99,000 Pitch: TWELFTH NIGHT meets AN EMBER IN THE ASHES when Val, disguised as a boy, boards an enemy ship to find her twin. As she sails into war, she risks both their lives if she’s discovered. First 250 Word of Manuscript: For most, the Pass represented the boundary between the southern clans and the Airyllens. It was where the war over magic finally came Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

B7: YA Contemporary: THE COLD PLACE

Title: THE COLD PLACE Age Category: Young Adult Genre: Contemporary Word Count: 65,000 Pitch: Everybody knows about Sam. Burned his house for fun. Cuts himself for attention. Locked in a mental hospital for everyone’s safety. Broken beyond repair by fifteen. Everybody knows it. But none of it is true. First 250 Word of Manuscript: I don’t trust this new doctor. “Samuel Guerrero,” he says. He holds on to the O too long, like he owns Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

B8: Adult Upmarket Contemporary LGBTQ+ #ownvoices : SPEEDBUMP

Title: SPEEDBUMP Age Category: Adult Genre: Upmarket Contemporary LGBTQ+ #ownvoices Word Count: 68,000 Pitch: Ezra wants to accept their post-testosterone body and find love, but caring for a sick brother comes first. When washed-up musician, Red, returns home, Ezra’s family obligations could prevent them from becoming more than friends. First 250 Word of Manuscript: It had been a while since the last time a moving vehicle hit me, but I wasn’t in the mood to Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

B9: Adult Mystery: THE POISON SEASON

Title: THE POISON SEASON Age Category: Adult Genre: Mystery Word Count: 72.000 Pitch: Poisonous plant expert Kit Magee is devastated by her sister’s apparent suicide. To unearth the truth and set things right, Kit risks revealing she has more than dirt on her hands. First 250 Word of Manuscript: Four minutes to go. “Grindhouse Blues” began to moan its way through my earbuds as I inhaled slowly through my nose. Steady hands, Kit, I willed Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

B10: Adult Science Fiction Thriller: INVADED

Title: INVADED Age Category: Adult Genre: Science Fiction Thriller Word Count: 107,000 Pitch:  Formerly deceased designer, Tracy Seavers, is now host to a deviant alien entity she abhors. Handsome Detective John Peters can help, unless the alien steers them both into the hands of a serial killer. First 250 Word of Manuscript: Detective John Peters squatted beside a bloodstained patch of sand. He tuned out the news helicopters circling the bridge above him. The overturned tractor-trailer and the Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

A Pitch Wars Success Story with Astrid Scholte and her mentors, Joan He and Mara Rutherford

  When our mentees land an agent or a publishing deal, it’s one of the highlights of being part of Pitch Wars. We’re so excited for Astrid Scholte and her mentors, Joan He and Mara Rutherford. Astrid signed with Hillary Jacobson of ICM Partners and in February you announced your two-book deal with Putnam after Pitch Wars 2016, and we couldn’t be happier for her! Please, help me in congratulating Astrid, Joan, and Mara on their Pitch Wars Read more…

By Heather Cashman, ago

A Pitch Wars Success Story with Kit Grant and her mentors, Rosalyn Eves and Erin Summerill

  When our mentees land an agent or a publishing deal, it’s one of the highlights of being part of Pitch Wars. We’re so excited for Kit Grant and her mentors, Rosalyn Eves and Erin Summerill. Kit signed with Josh Adams of Adams Literary after Pitch Wars 2016, and we couldn’t be happier for her! Please, help me in congratulating Emma and Jennie on their Pitch Wars Success! Rosalyn and Erin, what was it about Kit’s A COURT Read more…

By Heather Cashman, ago