August 2014 Archive
Pitch Wars Blog Hop!
It’s finally time for Pitch Wars to start! Yippee! I’ve been looking forward to this for months and I know the other mentors have been too. For this contest, I’ll be mentoring Middle Grade books š Below you’ll find the types of MG books I tend to enjoy most. Please feel free to post questions in the comments section or find me on twitter (@julianalbrandt)! I love making new friends and can’t wait to work with you š
MG Wish List
I adore MG because it’s often extraordinarily clever and touches upon tough subjects (“…if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”-Madeleine L’Engle). If your MS is a story with clever twists, whimsical turns of phrase, solid world building, and well developed relationships between characters, then I’m your mentor! [think HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, CRESTOMANCI, & THE PECULIAR]
For more specifics:
-Genre wise, Iām most attracted to fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure stories.
-I’m a massive fan of mythology, whether it’s a retelling or it’s incorporated into the story (WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, WATERSHIP DOWN)
-I love journey stories where MCs are set on a physical quest (LIESL & PO, THE SPINDLERS, PETER & THE STARCHASERS)
-And tales that use magic to help explain/tackle a serious subject (A MONSTER CALLS)
-I also prefer stories in which magic is already ingrained into the world (along the lines of magical realism) rather than stories where the MC “discovers” magic or comes to realize they have magical abilities (“chosen one” stories)
-Lastly, I adore a good adventure story. I still daydream about DOWN RIVER by Will Hobbs (which I think is technically YA, but I read it in early middle school and so have stuck it firmly in the MG category š ) In general though, I might not the best fit for contemporary MG. I typically don’t enjoy contemp unless it’s full of heart–think WALK TWO MOONS or OKAY FOR NOW, or if itās an adventure.
All of the above are merely stories Iāve loved in the past, which is just to say that I have no idea what Iāll love in the future. If your MS is a humorous, character-driven story, with an MC who goes on a physical journey that parallels their internal one, then Iām the mentor for you š
Why You Should Choose Me!
-My writing is represented by the fiercely wonderful agent Emmanuelle Morgen of the Stonesong Literary Agency. While I mostly spend my timeĀ writing YA, I started out withĀ MG and I always come back to it–itās at the heart of my writing soul. Iāve written 8 books (whew) and am amazed at how much Iāve learned with each one. I can’t wait to share some of that with you.
-I love editing and critiquing! Itās one of my favorite parts of writing.
-Iāve had a lot of practice honing queries. In fact, I often do giveaways on twitter for them. Itās something I genuinely enjoy. Also, I know the query game. I know what itās like to be in the trenches. Weāll make yours sparkle.
-Iām passionate about writing in all forms and will work so, so hard for you, if youāre willing to do the same.
-On a not-writing note, I’m currently in school for my Masters of Elementary Education, and I work full-time as a secretary. I spend the majority of my free-time in the mountains–rock climbing, hiking, running…pretty much anything that gets me outdoors.
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JO-Cover Reveal
I’m excited to share with you guys the cover to Leah Rhyne’sĀ upcoming horror/sci-fi novel, JO! It’s zombie, with an interesting twist
[Isn’t she a beauty??]
Jolene Hall is dead ā sort of. She can walk, think and talk, but her heart doesn’t beat and her lungs stopped breathing ages ago. Her bodyās a mosaic of jagged wounds and stapled flesh.
Jolene Hall has a choice: turn herself in to the authorities, led by a suspiciously handsome police officer, or team up with her roommate Lucy and her boyfriend Eli to find a way to save herself. To Jo, the choice is clear. Sheād like to know who turned her into a monster, and sheād like to live to see another sunrise.
But that choice has drastic repercussions.
On a trip deep into the snowy White Mountains, to a hidden laboratory filled with danger and cadavers, Jo and Lucy find more reanimated girls. Part body, part machine, run by batteries and electricity, these girls are killers, created by a shadowy Order with a penchant for chaosā¦and murder.
To make matters worse, a photo on a wall of victims reveals Lucy is next in line to be “recruitedā into this army of beautiful, walking corpses.
When Joās physical condition takes a turn for the irreparable, and the Order kidnaps those she loves most, she must sacrifice herself to save them all.
Be sure to check out Leah’s website for the chance to win a free copy of JO:Ā http://www.leahrhyne.com/
Also, it drops September 1st, so be sure to get your pre-orders in now!
Leah Rhyne is aĀ a full-time wife and mother, whose writing includes a bit of everything–a little horror, a little sci-fi, a lot of adventure.Ā Herfirst novel,Ā Undead America: Zombie Days, Campfire NightsĀ released in October, 2012, by MuseItUp Publishing. It’s sequel: Undead America: No Angels, came out in October, 2013.
Web Site:Ā http://www.leahrhyne.com
Twitter:https://twitter.com/leah_beth
Email:Ā leah.rhyne@gmail.com