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 starting on February 5, 2020, we hope you’ll take a moment during your writing breaks and get to know our 2019 Pitch Wars Mentor and Mentee Teams.
Next up, we have . . .
Brooke Abrams – Mentee
Katie Golding – Mentor
Katie, why did you choose Brooke?
I was immediately drawn in by Brooke’s premise, along with her voice and her humor (not to mention her incredible talent for referencing all my favorite movies in her book), and I had such a strong vision for her story, editorially. After doing some social media lurking, I not only really wanted to be friends with her, but to help her reach the next level in her craft. She’s been a dream mentee, from start to finish, and I’m so glad we got to know each other through PitchWars!
Brooke, why did you choose to submit to Katie?
Katie’s wish list aligned with my book in so many ways, but her strengths in craft and editing really drew me in. Also, I may or may not have stalked her social media and thought she would be super fun to have as a mentor. Turns out, I was right.
Katie, summarize Brooke’s book in 3 words.
Fierce, Funny, Irresistible
Brooke, summarize your book in 3 words.
Flirty, Witty, Breezy
Katie, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.
My family are huge Houston Astros fans, as in my father and I used to go to the Astrodome all.the.time when I was a kid, so I’m always excited to read about baseball players! Lucky for me, my friends write a lot of them.
Brooke, what do you hope to get out of the Pitch Wars experience?
For me, the goal of Pitch Wars is growth. I’m a lifelong learner, and Pitch Wars is an ideal way to get a crash course in both craft and community building. Anything else that may come from this opportunity is just icing on the cake.
Brooke, tell us about yourself! What makes you and your manuscript unique?
My husband and I have this joke that every time I give birth to a baby I also give birth to a new version of me. When my daughter (now two) was six months, I decided I was finally going to write a book. I submitted the first book- less book more dumpster fire- I ever wrote to Pitch Wars last year and didn’t get in. Since then, I’ve written two other books, including Love, Drag & Pancakes.
I’m a very driven person, but writing has by far been my biggest challenge- especially with being a mom and working full time. I started querying this book in April, and despite having a decent request rate, all of the feedback I received along with rejections was that “something” was missing. I planned on shelving this book, but decided to give Pitch Wars another shot. Turns out, a whole lot of something was missing!
My book focuses on a woman who stumbles into a drag bar and finds a whole new family. That has very much been my experience with my own local drag community. Look, I live in the suburbs, have three kids and used to own a mini-van. I’m not exactly the image of your typical drag bar patron. But what I’ve learned from attending local shows- at least two per month if not more- is that drag is life-giving art. Few things make me happier than supporting local queens, and getting to be a part of their community has blessed my life beyond measure. I wanted to write a book that demonstrated that and shows that drag is for everyone, no matter who you are.
Check out Katie’s upcoming release, FEARLESS.
Coming July 28, 2020 from Sourcebooks Casablanca
He’s got one last chance
To make things right
Billy King may be smiling under his black Stetson, but the plain truth is this cowboy-turned-racer is hurting: for his horse back in Memphis, for his girl with one boot out the door, and for his faltering career thanks to an injury that’s not getting any better. The moment he’s free from the press circuit, Billy bolts home―resolved to heal, and ready to win Taryn’s heart a second time.
Hopefully, before the love of his life is gone for good.
Taryn Ledell never wanted to fall for sweet blue eyes and a deep southern drawl. As a World Superbike racer, she had plans, and none of them involved playing second fiddle to any man. But now he’s back, and she’s forced to make some hard choices. With her sponsors eager for a decision, Taryn finds herself tangled in all the lines they’ve drawn in the sand. But broken bones and broken hearts don’t heal overnight, and the cost of forgiveness can be sky high: unless Billy can prove that his heart never left the ranch…or her.
Thank you for supporting our Pitch Wars Teams! The Agent Showcase is February 5 – 10, 2020, and our next Twitter Pitch Party on #PitMad is March 5, 2020! Want to know more about #PitMad? Go here.
