The ARC tour fairy came twice this week!
I’m so excited to dig in to Ellie Terry’s FORGET ME NOT and Rosalyn Eves’ BLOOD ROSE REBELLION!
I’m insanely confidant that I’ll love their words as much as I love them! 🙂
Making Time for Writing Retreats
I had a goal to go on four personal writing retreats this year… It’s not always easy to get away with a full-time job, freelance work, kids, husband, friends… but then again, it’s not always easy to find time to write! I have to guard my writing time closely and short writing retreats give me SUCH a huge head-start on a project.
Well in 2016, I only did 3—but I’m still pretty dang proud of myself considering how busy this year was.
For 2017, I’m going to still plan on doing 4, but I want one of those to be with a group of a writing friends, not just by myself.
So here’s hoping for lots of writing time in that cabin in the woods.
Book Recommendation: The Hidden Memory of Objects by Danielle Mages Amato
Summary:
Megan Brown’s brother, Tyler, is dead, but the cops are killing him all over again. They say he died of a drug overdose, potentially suicide—something Megan cannot accept. Determined to figure out what happened in the months before Tyler’s death, Megan turns to the things he left behind. After all, she understands the stories objects can tell—at fifteen, she is a gifted collage artist with a flair for creating found-object pieces. However, she now realizes that her artistic talent has developed into something more: she can see memories attached to some of Tyler’s belongings—and those memories reveal a brother she never knew.
Enlisting the help of an artifact detective who shares her ability and specializes in murderabilia—objects tainted by violence or the deaths of their owners—Megan finds herself drawn into a world of painful personal and national memories. Along with a trusted classmate and her brother’s charming friend, she chases down the troubling truth about Tyler across Washington, DC, while reclaiming her own stifled identity with a vengeance.
My thoughts…
I was thrilled to snag an ARC of this book and before I even read it, I knew I would love it. History, politics, and a thriller… basically all my favorite things to read about. And it did not disappoint! Man oh man! Fast-paced, awesome historical intertwining, fantastic characters… this book has it all! I loved it and totally recommend it!
My Girls Have Agents!!
Oh y’all, I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of Meghan and Tracie and all their relentless hard work! Because… was it worth it? YES!
Within a week of Pitch Wars, Meghan and Tracie had received offers (emphasis on the plural) of representation!
AHHH!
Congrats to Meghan Jashinsky who is now represented by Jessica Watterson at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency!
And congrats to Tracie Martin who is now represented by Lauren Spieller at Triada US!
Lynnette and I had such a fun time finding these ladies in the Pitch Wars slush and working to help make their manuscripts shine! It’s an incredible honor to know I played a small part in helping them get to the next milestone in what I know will be very long and successful careers.
*happy sigh*
The #PitchWars Showcase Is Live!
I am so thrilled to introduce you guys to our two amazing mentees!
Meghan Jashinsky’s A COURT OF GLITTERING CRIMSON:
Title: Court of Glittering Crimson
Category: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Word Count: 75,000 words
Princess Skylla is a nightmare from which her kingdom will never wake. She’ll use their bones to clean her teeth and wear their intestines like ribbons. It’s the least they deserve after what they did to her family the night of the Slaughter.
But the rebel leader Ariadne and her people refuse to continue living in fear. They must overthrow the princess, and this time, they’ll get it right.
It’s THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER meets THE YOUNG ELITES.
Excerpt:
That imbecile got blood on my crown.
I should have Ero’s fingers cut off for this. He’s worked for me long enough to know the consequences. Still, it’d be a shame to disfigure a body that impressive. Besides, this isn’t one of his usual responsibilities. I’ll give him one last chance.
“I’m sorry, your Majesty.” He casts his dark eyes to the blood-stained floors.
“You should be,” I say. “Fix the hem. It’s uneven.”
He stumbles to the back of my train and gives me a look mingled with terror and awe. It sends a thrill down my spine. Days away from turning sixteen, the orphan princess has managed to strike fear into her own Captain of the Guard.
They cower in my presence. I love it.
I grin at my reflection, my teeth brilliant behind my black silken veil. Ero dips a syringe into one of the many buckets stationed around my dressing room, sucking up the thick blood.
And Tracie V. Martin’s THEN BEGGARS WOULD RIDE
Title: Then Beggars Would Ride
Category: Young Adult
Genre: Literary Thriller
Word Count: 64,000 words
Everyone believes Gwen’s boyfriend is a cult leader. After disappearing without a word, he’s resurfaced as the Beggar with a goal to spread “The Message” far and wide. Not willing to lose him, Gwen hits the road to bring him home. But as she and his ragtag disciples trail in the Beggar’s wake, Gwen discovers his mission is much more sinister than just preaching.
Told as a prison confessional, it’s THE WALLS AROUND US meets THE DEVIL AND THE BLUEBIRD.
Excerpt:
Transcript #1
First, you’re going to ask how we met. Everyone does. It’s not even the stupidest question people ask. That’s “How did you shave?” Once, I would have fucked with you, pretended that I cared if hair bloomed out of my armpits while I tracked my boyfriend from coast to coast as he meandered his way to hell. But now, I’ve watched people drown and I’ve broken a good man’s heart. I’ve killed someone. It’s no pleasure anymore to waste the few words I have left.
What you really want to know is how a good girl like me could fall for a killer. You’re looking for specific beats in our origin story: he bewitched everyone with his charm, but in hindsight you could see the dark spots. I get this question most often from those with a strong belief that all people have souls, and by ‘souls’ I mean unchangeable cores of either good or evil. I get it. It’d be nice to think that Saul was born black-hearted.
But he wasn’t.
Click on the links above to access the original posting on the #PitchWars site (and see if they’re getting any agent love- pssst, they are!). I’m so ridiculously proud of these ladies and all the work they put into their manuscripts. We asked a lot from them and they TOTALLY delivered. Any agent would be ridiculously lucky to represent them!
Crossing ALL THE THINGS for lots of requests!
Destiny Cole 