So I’ve been chosen to mentor in the adult category for the 2020 Pitch Wars contest. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years, ever since I was a mentee back in 2016. Back then I was a YA writer—my manuscript, which I’ve since trunked, was a YA Horror that over the course of the contest turned into a pretty gritty YA Contemporary. When that manuscript didn’t snag me an agent (it was the third one I’d written), I tried my hand one more time in the YA category with a near-future sci-fi until making the switch to adult epic fantasy.
Adult is what I’m good at, apparently, since I was able to sign with Joshua Bilmes of JABberwocky Literary Agency (if you want to learn more about that, read about my query journey here). Some exciting stuff has percolated since then that I’m not allowed to talk about yet, so let’s just say sleep will be a little harder to come by these next six months, what with Pitch Wars thrown into the mix.
If you’re being a diligent mentee prospect and sifting the mentor blogs in preparation for the submission window, keep in mind that our wish lists won’t be live until September. I’ll be active on Twitter in the meantime, interacting with the other mentors as well as you, though I’m going to be careful with how much I engage with prospective mentees. I wouldn’t want a developing friendship to sway anyone into submitting to me when there are other mentors who would be a better fit, just because you think I would give closer consideration to your submission based on any rapport we’ve established. At the end of the day, my choice will come down to the writing and nothing else.
With that said, my favorite part of Pitch Wars was the community. I’m looking forward to seeing you around, and good luck spit shining that manuscript for the submission window. 🙂
A Bridge From My Mind To Yours 