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Pitch Wars Team Interview with Taylor B. Gardner and her mentor Kim Long

Monday, 5 September 2016  |  Posted by Heather Cashman

PW Interviews

 

Our mentors are editing, our mentees are revising, and we hope you’re making progress on your own manuscript! While we’re all working toward the Agent Showcase on November 3rd-9th, we hope you’ll take a moment during your writing breaks and get to know our 2016 Pitch Wars Teams.

And now, we have . . .

Taylor B Gardner

Taylor B. Gardner – Mentee

Twitter

KimLong

Kim Long – Mentor

Twitter | Website

Taylor: Why did you choose Kim?

She was my dream mentor. Before I read her wish list, I was excited by her sage writing advice, kindness to and encouragement of other writers, and thoughtful posts on social media. And, then, her wish list was a perfect fit. She listed stories with smart girls who like science and puzzles first. I couldn’t believe it. I am thrilled and incredibly lucky to be working with such a talented, generous, imaginative, and fun mentor.

Kim: Why did you choose Taylor’s THE SOCIETY OF FLYERS?

Let’s start with the concept–a Society of Flyers with a girl MC who is a fan of aviation? Heck, yeah! So original! But in addition to the cool concept, it comes down to the writing. “Junior high would crash faster than a plane with a broken piston if kids found out who she really was.” That’s on page 2, folks. And then, when I advised Taylor of my ideas for revisions, she was not only ecstatic but started brainstorming on the spot. As a mentor, all I can ask is to get to work on something I love for two months with someone who loves it as much as I do.

Taylor: Summarize your book in three words.

Secrets. Puzzles. Flying.

Kim: Summarize your mentee’s book in three words.

Smart. Fun. Flygirl.

Taylor: Tell us about yourself. What makes you and your MS unique?

As a child, I dreamt of learning the secret steps to be able to fly with the birds, but I never remembered them when I woke up. My book, THE SOCIETY OF FLYERS, is based on that dream. It is the story I’ve wanted to tell for as long as I can remember. When I am not inventing puzzles, stories, or challenges, I devour all types of books. I have a special place in my heart for middle grade books with smart girls, mysteries, magic, and different ways to look at the world. I live in beautiful San Francisco, and I love things that are silly, dancing when it rains, and eating chocolate for breakfast.

Kim: Tell us about yourself. Something we might not already know.

All of my MG experience is finally paying off! Mu oldest niece is graduating from chapter books. She loves that I am inundating her with things to read!

Thank you for supporting our Pitch Wars Teams! And remember, there’s a #PitMad Twitter pitch party on September 8th.

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