The 2018 mentees have been announced and are already working hard with their mentors, but we wanted to offer some critique giveaways as a thank you to everyone who contributed to our wonderful Pitch Wars community this year! We have 23 critique packages from an agent, mentors, and mentor alumni!

Weronika Janczuk is a literary agent with D4EO Literary Agency. Website | Twitter

Win from Weronika:
– 1st 50 pages critique!



Brenda Drake is the founder of Pitch Wars and #PitMad and the New York Times bestselling author of THIEF OF LIES, GUARDIAN OF SECRETS, and ASSASSIN OF TRUTHS of the Library Jumpers series, the Fated series, and THUNDERSTRUCK. Website | Twitter

Win from Brenda:
– Query and first chapter critique (2 weeks)


Carrie Callaghan is a historical fiction writer living in Maryland. Her debut novel, A Light of Her Own, is forthcoming from Amberjack in November. Website | Twitter

Win from Carrie:
– Query and first two pages critique (1 week)


Leigh Mar is a YA author rep’ed by Elana Roth Parker at Laura Dail Literary Agency. She was a Pitch Wars mentee in 2015 and a mentor in 2016 and 2017. Twitter

Win from Leigh:
– Query and first page critique (2 weeks)
– Query and first page critique (2 weeks)
– Query and first chapter critique (2 weeks)


Jessica Calla is a contemporary romance, new adult, and women’s fiction author who moonlights during the day as an attorney. She previously co-mentored Pitchwars and has experience as a judge in various romance contests. Website | Twitter

Win from Jessica:
– Query, First Chapter, and Synopsis critique (2 weeks)


Stephanie Scott is a Young Adult and Romance Author of ALTERATIONS, a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s 2017 Best First Book RITA® award. Website | Twitter

Win from Stephanie:
– First Page and Query critique (1 week)


Laura Brown lives in Massachusetts with her family. Hearing loss is a big part of who she is, from her own Hard of Hearing ears, to the characters she creates. She has two romances out with Avon. Her next book, A PERFECT MISTAKE, will be published by Lakewater Press in 2019. Website | Twitter

Win from Laura:
– Query and first page critique (1 week)
– Query and first page critique (1 week)
– Query and first page critique (1 week)


Remy Lai writes and draws stories for children. Her prose and graphic novel hybrid middle-grade book, PIE IN THE SKY, is forthcoming from Henry Holt BYR in May 2019. She lives in Australia with her two dogs. Website | Twitter

Win from Remy:
– Query and first chapter critique (2 weeks)


Kate Karyus Quinn is an avid reader and menthol chapstick addict. She is the author of young adult novels: ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE, (DON’T YOU) FORGET ABOUT ME, and DOWN WITH THE SHINE all with HarperTeen. Website | Twitter

Win from Kate:
– First Five Pages critique (2 weeks)


Rebecca Enzor is an analytical chemist and fantasy author. Her adult contemporary fantasy, SPEAK THE OCEAN, is out 2019 with Reuts Publishing. Website | Twitter

Win from Rebecca:
– Query, Synopsis, and Twitter Pitch critique (1 week)


Miriam Spitzer Franklin is a middle school language arts teacher with 2 published middle grade novels, Extraordinary (2015) and Call Me Sunflower (2017). The third, Emily Out of Focus, will be published by Skypony Press in February. Website | Twitter

Win from Miriam:
– First 3 Chapters critique (Middle Grade) (3 weeks)


Julie Artz writes stories for children that feature the natural world, folklore, mythology, history, & all that is magical about those things. In addition to contributing to MG@Heart, she works as a developmental editor for Author Accelerator, and contributes to The Winged Pen. Website | Twitter

Win from Julie:
– Query & First Chapter critique (2 weeks)
– Query & First Chapter critique (2 weeks)
– Query & First Chapter critique (2 weeks)

Gigi Pandian is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning mystery author, breast cancer survivor, and accidental almost-vegan. She writes the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries, Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and locked-room mystery short stories. Website | Instagram

Win from Gigi:
– Query & First Page critique (1 week)


Kim Long is a 2018 mentor with Jennifer L. Brown. Kim’s MG debut releases Fall 2019! Website | Twitter Headshot at:

Win from Kim:
– First Chapter (10 pages max) critique (30 days)
– First Chapter (10 pages max) critique (30 days)


Sarah Nicolas is the author of KEEPING HER SECRET and a six-time Pitch Wars mentor. Website | Twitter
Win from Sarah:
– Query critique (2 weeks)
– Twitter Pitch help (2 weeks)

Enter to Win!

Please read the rules at the bottom of this page before entering.






2018 Mentees are not eligible to win. Winners will be announced & emailed 10/23 and will have 48 hours to send in their docs or another winner will be chosen. Since the winners are chosen at random, we cannot guarantee that a genre match-up will be perfect, but we’ll do our best. Mentors, former mentors, and agents reserve the right to refuse a critique of an entry that is problematic or harmful. Critiques consist of one review and report; critiquers are not required to review the work a 2nd time or look at revisions after the initial critique. Only one entry per person. Co-authors may enter once per person. While anyone who is not a 2018 mentee may enter, in the spirit of the supportive Pitch Wars community, if you have already received a major critique from another source or significant feedback from a 2018 mentor you submitted to, we would encourage you to step aside and give others a chance to receive help.