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 . . .
Megan Scott – Mentee
Laurie Dennison – Mentor
Laurie, why did you choose Megan?
When I read Megan’s query, I scrolled down to the first chapter in record time. Her manuscript had plenty of items on my wishlist—a fierce main character, a setting that grabbed me, fresh fantasy elements, a complex family dynamic, and oh, the romance. I requested the full immediately, checked my inbox waiting for it, and stayed up late reading when it arrived. I was so glad when I started seeing places I could help. I always mention how Holly Black and Cassandra Clare are two of my favorite fantasy authors, and this year I found a new one in to add to that list in Megan!
Megan, why did you choose to submit to Laurie?
Oh, so many reasons actually. She wanted a YA Contemporary Fantasy/Paranormal and was interested in strong romance and atmospheric settings (so I hoped my fictional, British coastal town would work for her), as well as complicated families. She also loved the Shadowhunters series, and I hoped the blend of the ‘real’ world with my fictional one would appeal, as well as the aspects of secrets and supernaturals. She also said her mentor style would be a blend of positivity and honesty and that was exactly what I needed.
Laurie, summarize Megan’s book in 3 words.
Change. Control. Family.
Megan, summarize your book in 3 words.
Transformation. Impulses. Love.
Laurie, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.
I live in a very small Florida town with a population of less than 2,000 people and a single caution light. We don’t have much to do here, so I travel whenever I get the chance, and I’m very fortunate to have a job that allows me to work remotely with people across the state and the US—and this year with Megan as my mentee, even across the world!
Megan, what do you hope to get out of the Pitch Wars experience?
Before I submitted I’d fallen out of love with my ms. I wasn’t sure why but I just couldn’t tell what wasn’t working and I’d lost the spark. I really wanted the guidance of a mentor to help me find it. And thankfully, already, with Laurie’s incredible help, I’ve found the spark! (Or ‘snick’ if you’ve read Laini Taylor’s Not For Robots blogpost, which I highly recommend). I wanted to fall in love with the ms again, and I have, so I’m so, so happy. And relieved!
I also really wanted to soak up everything I could from Laurie and hopefully meet some nice writers. I don’t know what’s going to happen at the showcase, but as long as I love my ms, I’ll get through.
Megan, tell us about yourself! What makes you and your manuscript unique?
I live in the UK and I’m currently doing a Masters of Research into ancient goddesses in 19th century art. I also work as a bookseller at Waterstones.
I did an art foundation course before university and then went on to study art history. It’s something my MC Nicole is interested in, especially as in the ms, art is full of supernatural secrets: creature’s histories are displayed in art, humans just think it’s myth and fantasy.
My ms also has a positive family dynamic. I’m lucky enough to have a great family base and really wanted the Palmer family to love, trust and support one another. Their life is complicated but they talk about things, they don’t keep dangerous secrets from one another. They’re a team. I like that 🙂
The main original thing for me in my ms are the Empyreals themselves. They are the most powerful supernatural predators in the world (a Contemporary Fantasy) with a fierce protective instinct and transformative powers, and Nicole is one of them.
Lastly, I’ve been told the coastal British setting is a bit different, too. Honestly, Estwood is kind of my ideal town. Except for the supernatural murders.
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 December 5, 2019! Want to know more about #PitMad? Go here.
