Pitch Wars Blog Archive

FAITHFUL by Pitch Wars Mentor, Michelle Hauck … release day!

The next volume in the Birth of Saints series is available now! Following Grudging–and with a mix of Terry Goodkind and Bernard Cornwall–religion, witchcraft, and chivalry war in Faithful, the exciting next chapter in Michelle Hauck’s Birth of Saints series! A world of Fear and death…and those trying to save it. Colina Hermosa has burned to the ground. The Northern invaders continue their assault on the ciudades-estados. Terror has taken hold, and those that should Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

A Pitch Wars Success Story with Lynn Vroman and her mentor Judi Lauren

Our favorite part of hosting pitch contests is being a part of a writer’s successes. Today we celebrate Lynn Vroman and her Pitch Wars mentor Judi Lauren! Lynn recently signed with MacKenzie Fraser-Bub of Fraser-Bub Literary, and we couldn’t be happier for yer. So please join me in congratulating Lynn and Judi as they share with us their awesome Pitch Wars success story. Lynn, what made you decide to send a Pitch Wars application to Judi? Her bio, definitely! Judi was actually my first choice Read more…

By Heather Cashman, ago

Pitch Wars Agent Showcase . . . Adult and New Adult Entries

Welcome to the Pitch Wars Agent Showcase! Adult and New Adult entries … For those unfamiliar with Pitch Wars, it’s a contest where published/agented authors, editors, or interns chose mentees and work with them for two months to make their work shine. Our amazing mentors chose one (some cases two) writer to mentor from nearly 2000 entries for this year’s for the agent showcase. For a list of the amazing agents participating in Pitch Wars 2016, go Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

Pitch Wars Agent Showcase … Middle Grade Entries

  Welcome to the Pitch Wars Agent Showcase! Middle Grade entries … For those unfamiliar with Pitch Wars, it’s a contest where published/agented authors, editors, or interns chose mentees and work with them for two months to make their work shine. Our amazing mentors chose one (some cases two) writer to mentor from nearly 2000 entries for this year’s for the agent showcase. For a list of the amazing agents participating in Pitch Wars 2016, go here and Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

Pitch Wars Agent Showcase . . . Young Adult Entries

  Welcome to the Pitch Wars Agent Showcase! Young Adult entries … For those unfamiliar with Pitch Wars, it’s a contest where published/agented authors, editors, or interns chose mentees and work with them for two months to make their work shine. Our amazing mentors chose one (some cases two) writer to mentor from nearly 2000 entries for this year’s for the agent showcase. For a list of the amazing agents participating in Pitch Wars 2016, go here and Read more…

By brendaadmin, ago

PW #311: Young Adult Historical Fantasy: THE BRIGHTEST SHADE OF FLAME

Manuscript Status: Finished Mentor: Heather Cashman Mentee: Andrea Kjaer Title: THE BRIGHTEST SHADE OF FLAME Category/Genre: Young Adult Historical Fantasy Word Count: 90,000 Pitch:  When a Norseman possessed by a treasure-hungry djinni steals Anje’s mythical hammer, she chases him into the treacherous world of seafaring raiders. Attraction sparks when the two must ally against the brutal Viking conqueror who would enslave them and claim the hammer’s power for himself. Excerpt: TWELVE YEARS BEFORE Papa told me and my brother a riddle. Read more…

By Heather Cashman, ago

PW #351: Young Adult Contemporary Verse: SAVING SUNDANCE

Manuscript status: Finished Mentor Name: Joy McCullough Mentee Name: Liz Heywood Title: SAVING SUNDANCE Category: Young Adult Genre: Contemporary Verse Word Count: 24,000 Pitch: Maddy’s Christian Scientist friend Hope has always used prayer instead of medicine. But when Hope develops a life-threatening infection, her mother won’t get her badly needed medical help. If Maddy betrays Hope and forces a medical intervention, it will end their friendship. But if she doesn’t? Hope will die. Excerpt: Almost-Sixteen Read more…

By Heather Cashman, ago

PW #352: Young Adult Contemporary: NOT HER STORY

Manuscript Status: Finished Mentor Name: Brenda Drake and Heather Cashman Mentee Name: Kara McDowell Title: NOT HER STORY Category: Young Adult Genre: Contemporary Word Count: 73,000 Pitch: Cute boy, Max, doesn’t recognize Claire from her mother’s blog, so she hides her fame. When Claire poses as someone’s girlfriend for publicity, Max steps away. After uncovering her mother’s dangerous secret, Claire considers using it to end the blog and get her life and Max back–if she’s willing Read more…

By Heather Cashman, ago

PW #353: Young Adult West-African Fantasy (Own Voices): CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE

Manuscript Status: Finished Mentor: Ashley Hearn Mentee: Tomi Adeyemi Title: CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE Category/Genre: Young Adult West-African Fantasy (Own Voices) Word Count: 105,000 Pitch: With magic, Zélie’s family could stand against the royal guard. Her people wouldn’t live in fear. Her mom wouldn’t have hanged from that tree. Years after the king wiped magic out of Orïsha, Zélie has one chance to bring it back. To do so, she’ll have to outwit/outrun the Read more…

By Heather Cashman, ago

PW #354: Young Adult Contemporary: THE FRIEND ZONE HYPOTHESIS

Manuscript Status: Finished Mentor: Nikki Roberti Mentee: Katie O’Shea Title: The Friend Zone Hypothesis Category/Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Word Count: 83,000 Pitch: When his nerdy sidekick swipes a copy of Cosmo claiming it holds scientific secrets to winning any girl’s heart, seventeen-year-old Mikey launches an experiment to transform his status from best friend to boyfriend. One problem: Jessica Sterling is a variable who can’t be controlled. Excerpt: Jessica sang at the top of her lungs as wind Read more…

By Heather Cashman, ago