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

Blog

PW #120: MG Contemporary: OPERATION MAGIC

Monday, 2 November 2015  |  Posted by Brenda Drake

 Pitchwars Badge (Square MG)

Manuscript Status: Finished

Mentor Name:  Jessica Vitalis
Mentee Name: Heidi Stallman
Title: OPERATION MAGIC
Category: MG
Genre: Contemporary
Word Count: 46,000

Pitch:

After eleven-year-old Dakota’s dad cancels their daddy-daughter trip so he can hang out with his new family, she decides only magic can change his mind. But her BFF Shannyn declares she’s too old for make-believe, leaving Dakota to go it alone. When Jessie, an outcast with a dangerous secret, hijacks her spell book, Dakota must create her own magic. If she fails, she’ll lose Shannyn and her dad—and Jessie could lose her life.

Excerpt:

I knew Shannyn was going to lie before she opened her mouth. It was the hesitation, followed by the shaky, don’t-hate-me smile—a look she’d perfected since we started middle school two months ago.

“I can’t come over Friday.” She twirled a curl around her finger and glanced at the boys climbing off the bus. “I have to help my sister at the Spanish Club’s bake sale.”

The cold wind bit through my jacket as I balled up my fists. “How about after the sale? We could still watch India Rodriguez two or three times before morning.”

“We made those plans ages ago, Dakota.”

“So?” I fingered the edge of Dad’s letter, tucked between the pages of my sketchbook. I hadn’t shown the letter to anyone, not even Mom. Shannyn was the only one who could help me. She was the only one who would understand.

At least she might have understood two months ago—when she was Shannon with an “o,” not a “y,” and we were best friends forever.

“I forgot,” she said, turning toward home. “We’ll do it another night, okay?”

My super psychic lie detector went off again. She didn’t forget. She was trying to get out of sleeping over. Or maybe . . . My heart did a belly flop down to my knees. “You’re going to Brooklyn’s party, aren’t you?”

 

Filed: Pitch Wars

2 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.