Have questions about submitting to Pitch Wars or just want to know what it is? Start here!

Blog

PW #403: Adult Contemporary Romance: WITHOUT A WORD

Monday, 2 November 2015  |  Posted by Brenda Drake

Pitchwars Badge (Square A)

Manuscript Status: Finished

Mentor Name: Kelly Siskind
Mentee Name: J. R. Yates
Title: WITHOUT A WORD
Category: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Word Count: 87,000

Pitch:

Done with smooth-talking guys, Hanna starts her speech therapy career in an isolated town three hundred miles from disappointment. There she meets Spencer, a quiet Frenchman who wins her trust—and her heart—only to learn he’s her new patient. One more touch could end Hanna’s career and cost Spencer his only chance at finding his voice.

Excerpt:

I try not to gag. The disgusting smell in this tin can on wheels has been growing like hair on an old lady’s chin, unpleasant and difficult to ignore.

Breathe. I need to breathe.

Steep jagged walls of stone flank the highway. As my sister’s fingers curl over the hard plastic of the steering wheel, patches of sunlight skitter across her olive skin. Kendra is as dark as I am fair—as exotic as I am plain. Unfortunately, her taste in food is not as impressive as her appearance.

“Did you stash one of your egg and plastic-cheese burrito bombs in here?” The foul odor cramps my sinuses and sticks to my tongue. I cover my nose and mouth with my sleeve-encased hand and twist around, searching for the offensive item.

“No.” She cuffs me on the shoulder. “I ate three before I picked you up.” She shrugs. “I know what a hater you are for plastic cheese.”

I crank down the window on the cube van. Instead of inhaling the expected scent of fresh earth, pine, and wet leaves, a blast of sulfur hits mehard.

“What’s making that smell?” I pull the neck of my T-shirt over my nose. Kendra rolls her eyes and looks at me like I’m exaggerating.

I’m not.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Hanna. Dryden’s a mill town.”

“Yeah, so?” My voice is muffled through my shirt.

“Didn’t anyone tell you that paper mills make a wicked stench?”

 

Filed: Pitch Wars

4 Comments
IMPORTANT!
We're thrilled at the different ways those in our Pitch Wars community are giving back—and we encourage them to do so. However, please keep in mind that Pitch Wars is not affiliated with any of these various contests, promotions, etc., including those of our mentors and mentees. Promoting any such opportunities via our social media channels doesn't imply endorsement or affiliation. We encourage you to do your research before participating.

Pitch Wars takes a stand. ANTI-BULLYING. Click here to review our policy

Pitch Wars 2021

Blog Archives

Blog Categories

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.