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 deaths, and if Niko can’t figure out how or why, her life will be over before it’s barely begun. EXCERPT: They say when the 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, it’s not just her secret that spirals out of control, it’s her life. EXCERPT: Tonight, I’m doing Evan Brown’s girlfriend a favor. An awkward, 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 available, please?” Gabriel’s voice cracked. Perfume puffed a drag off her cigarette and batted fake eyelashes at him. “A proper boy like you come for 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, and she’s forced to face who she currently is, who she used to be, and who she could, with his help, become. EXCERPT: Denying 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 my white cotton button-down threw me completely off schedule. I was forced to change into my only other tailored blouse, this one an overly bright 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 Queen. EXCERPT: Each person in the library held their breath as the wail of a siren curled through the air like barbed wire. They 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 . . . and one last heist to protect the realm. EXCERPT: A sharp crack echoed in the silence. Ren winced. Without special tools or a 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 . . . and one last heist to protect the realm. EXCERPT: A sharp crack echoed in the silence. Ren winced. Without special tools or a 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. EXCERPT: I am impure. I am disgusting. I am a monster. When I finally crawl out of bed, it’s not by choice. The sun has Read more…
MENTOR: Rae Chang MENTEE: Caitlyn McFarland TITLE: SWORN CATEGORY/GENRE: YA Contemporary High Fantasy w/Romantic Elements WORD COUNT: 88,000 PITCH: When a dragon crashes at the feet of college student Kai Monahan and transforms into a man, she instinctively grabs the nearest sword and saves his life. Kai is plunged into a world of aerial battles, ancient kings, fiery romance, and a centuries-long draconic civil war that will decide the fate of humanity and dragonkind. EXCERPT: Kai stood at the Read more…