Welcome to the Pitch Wars Team Interviews
Bringing you a closer look at each Pitch War Team and their project.
Be sure to comment with support, comments, and questions.
Meet Stacey Goldstein, Judy Roberts, and their mentor, Kate Foster
Team Llama and Team Llama Hedgehog Breath
Kate Foster (Mentor), tell us a little about yourself.
I read pretty much anything. I’m the type of reader who doesn’t really know what they’re going to enjoy until they’ve read it. I’m certainly a lover of voice before anything else, style is key to getting me to stick with a book. I have a soft spot for middle grade fiction and do tend to like anything with a darker side. I adore Liz Jensen, Mark Haddon and Enid Blyton. As a writer, I struggle with serious. Reading for me is escapism and I guess that’s what I write, too.
Stacey Goldstein (Mentee), tell us a little about yourself.
My favorites are young adult and middle grade. I love memoirs and fiction (contemporary, dystopian and light fantasy). In fact, I’ll read almost anything except horror. If a ghost is involved, I’m out. That said, some of my favorites are stories that I didn’t know involved ghosts, but got tricked into reading. I still won’t read them though if I know it involves ghosts. I’m a big wuss!
Judy Roberts (Mentee), tell us a little about yourself.
I love all types of fiction, but I’ve always had a soft spot for all things creepy. I didn’t really choose middle grade as much as it chose me. My favorite memories of reading are attached to middle grade books. Middle-graders have the highest highs, the lowest lows, and the greatest ability to conquer their fears.
I have never cracked a raw egg on my head, but thanks to Beverly Cleary’s scene about Ramona’s experience, I’m sure I know what it feels like. Twenty plus years later I still remember that frozen moment in the cafeteria with the kids staring, as the cold raw egg oozed over her hair. You can’t get that feeling from a movie.
Kate, why did you decide to participate in Pitch Wars?
I entered last year, didn’t receive interest from any of my chosen mentors, but what I did get was a whole new family. I connected with so many writers, so many fabulous cheerleaders, critiques, beta readers and friends. And now that I’m a published author, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to have the honour of being on the other side, being a mentor. My writing community keep me going, and I’d like to provide the same support to other authors.
Stacey, why did you decide to participate in Pitch Wars?
I joined in Pitch Wars because I love this book, but I’m too close. I can’t step back and look at it with a clear mind. And I know this book can be great, with some polishing. I can’t tell you how excited I was to be chosen by Kate Foster and JC Davis. Their immediate feedback was BEYOND AMAZING. I have some great minds working with me.
Judy, why did you decide to participate in Pitch Wars?
I learned Pitch Wars a whopping three days before the submission deadline, and I knew I had to try. I knew my story wasn’t quite complete, but I wasn’t sure what it needed. My mentor Kate Foster cleared it up for me with one word, and we WILL be ready for the agent round!
Kate, what are you most excited for?
I’m already excited. In fact, I’m not sure I could be anymore excited. But, seeing all the agent requests coming in, not just for my own mentees but for all the others too, and to hear about all the book deals and signings for the entrants who didn’t make it as mentees and through #Pitmad, and in the future, will just be AWESOME!
Stacey, what are you most excited for?
I’m super excited to transform Shayna’s Nerd Army into a publishable book. I want The Nerd Army to be an inspiration or escape to the next middle school outcast. At least they’ll know they’re not alone!
Judy, what are you most excited for?
This might be looking far into the future, but the thing I’m most excited for is my first review from a child who enjoyed my book.
Stacey, describe your novel in 3 words.
Nerds. Can. Win.
Judy, describe your novel in 3 words.
Dark creepy mystery
Kate, describe your mentees’ novel in 3 words.
Judy: Delayed: Suspense. Danger. Bravery.
Stacey: Nerd Army: Bullies. Never. Win.
Check Us Out …
Judy Roberts, Mentee
My name is Judy Roberts. I live with my husband of eighteen years and two sons in North Carolina. You can learn more about me here…
Stacey Goldstein, Mentee
After having my second child and writing a letter to her about following her dreams, I stopped and realize she might not. Why should she? I didn’t. My childhood dream was to be a writer. I never bothered because I never had a story to write and I knew I needed to get a stable job (which I did). But then I realized, why don’t I just write? Write anything. Just start typing and see what happens. What happened was a dystopian young adult novel called Vilacom. It was terrible. But it taught me a valuable lesson. I COULD write a book.
I joined the SCBWI and began to learn what I needed to make a really great novel. I then wrote a contemporary young adult called Erased. It was also terrible. But I got my crazy streak out and cleared my mind to write a beautiful story against bullying called, The Nerd Army. My main character, Shayna, is the kid I wished I was in middle school. I can’t re-do my awkward years, but I think Shayna is doing it for me.
Kate Foster, Team Mentor
Twitter | Author Website | Editing Website
I am an angel. A perfectionist. An obsessive and competitive person who can’t say no. I’m a freelance editor, children’s author, mother of three boys, and always have too much work to do.
Kate’s recent release …
Twelve-year old Jack Mills lives at 5 Winell Road and has probably the world’s weirdest neighbours. Like freakishly weird. And to top it off, he lives with Mum: nosy, interfering, a hideous cook, and Dad: unsuccessful inventor of the Camera Belt and Self-Closing Window. All in all, it’s a boring, embarrassing, dead-end place to live.
So when Jack arrives home from school one day, a close shave with a UFO is the last thing he expects. But the fact it doesn’t abduct him, and that no one else, not even Mum, sees the gigantic flying saucer hovering over the street, adds a whole new layer of strange.
Soon after, an alien encounter threatens Jack’s life and he becomes embroiled in a galaxy-saving mission. With the assistance of his new neighbour, frighteningly tall Roxy Fox, he discovers Winell Road is hiding secrets—secrets Jack might wish he’d never uncovered.
A new Sci-Fi adventure series for 9+ readers
Now available to buy at the following stores!
e-book
Jet Black Publishing – 20% of all sales are donated to the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation.
paperback
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk
Barnes and Noble
Sleuth of Baker Street
amazon.de
amazon.fr
Indiebound
Booktopia
Boomerang Books
