Foreward by Michelle Hubbard

In one of my writing groups, we’ve been participating in more writing contests, beginning author events, and get-your-name-out-there activities. 

I think it was former assistant Cindy Stagg who compared it to throwing cooked spaghetti against a wall and seeing what sticks. 

With that in mind, I swallowed my pride and tried to get into Pitch Wars 2020, cringing all the way. Why cringing? Because I’ve only finished two manuscripts, and the second one has been everywhere. With WIFYR classes and contacts, I’ve also had more help than anyone deserves. But it’s the only finished ms I’ll let people see at this point, so despite my embarrassment over submitting the same thing AGAIN, I pitched it. 

And I got in. And it was so worth it.

With this in mind, I encourage you to go for every opportunity that comes your way.

Including this one. Pitch your work for WIFYR’s PitchMania! Get a fresh pair of assistant eyes on your manuscript and get one step closer to being query-ready.

So throw that spaghetti. Win a critique. Or be one “No” closer to “Yes.”

If it’s easier, think of it as practice pitching with people that Love you. We are one gorgeous writing community and this is your safe place.

Rules For WIFYR’s  PitchMania  

• Read over the blogs and choose a mentor. You can only pick one!

• Submit your 35-word pitch by Wednesday the 16th by noon

• If you’re picked, you’ll get your critique after WIFYR. You’ll connect with your mentor to arrange details.

• Remember that this is subjective! You may or may not be chosen because of genre, whether we think we have anything helpful to offer your manuscript, or any number of reasons.

• Submit your pitch in the comments!

Good luck!

Michelle H

Hello, WIFYR friends! Michelle Hubbard, here. I mainly write middle-grade and young adult fantasy and horror. Some of my favorite recent reads include THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY, THE WITCH’S BOY, FURIA,  LALANI OF THE DISTANT SEA, THE LIGHTNESS OF HANDS, and A CRACK IN THE SEA.

I’d love to see just about anything–as long as the writing grabs me and the story intrigues. I’m probably not the best fit for picture books and novels in verse. I love them, but I don’t think I’d be much help.

For the prize, I’m offering your choice: help writing your query, a critique of the first 2,500 words, or an edit of the first 2,500 words as if I were revising something I’d written.

Put your thirty-five word pitch in the comments for this post–and the first paragraph of your book, if you’d like. I always decide what I’m reading next by the first paragraph.

Good luck!

Susan

Hello everyone! I’m Susan Cady Allred. I write across the board: nonfiction, YA thrillers and urban fantasy, adult sweet romance, thrillers, fantasy, and sci-fi. I’d love to see just about anything, especially if it has quirky humor (think Terry Pratchett), strong voice or character personality (think Carol Lynch Williams), or vivid world building. Give me something that will reach out and grab me! I probably wouldn’t be a good fit for picture books, horror, or historical Stories. I’m offering critiques of the first 2500 words to winners. Put your 35-word pitch in the comments for this post. If I’m interested, I’ll ask for the first page to review. Thank you and good luck! I can’t wait to see your amazing pitches!  

Tracy

Writing friends, my name is Tracy Daley. I’ve published in MG Historical fiction, but I also write YA and MG fantasy, and YA contemporary. I love a good plot with twists and surprises, stories that make promises and fulfill them in unexpected ways. Some examples of books I’ve loved in YA include SCHYTHE, MY LADY JANE, LOVE AND GELATO, SHADES OF MILK AND HONEY, ALL THE CROOKED SAINTS. In MG and Childrens some of my favorites are IVY AND BEAN, TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE, WORDS ON FIRE, and SCARY STORIES FOR YOUNG FOXES. If I pick your 35-word pitch, I’m offering an hour plot critique. We can do lunch or a zoom call where we discuss your query and synopsis, how your story fits into different plot structures, what promises you’re making, and how those promises are fulfilled. 

Scott

Hi, everybody, I’m Scott Rhoades. I’ve published short stories and poems for adults and kids. I write mainly Middle Grade, with occasional forays into Young Adult. I love great voice, humor, thrills, a good mystery, lots of peril, heart-wrenching contemporary, and scary stories. Have a retelling of a fairy tale, myth, or classic story? Bring it on! As a technical writer by profession, I also have a soft spot for STEM stories. And, I’m not afraid of difficult issues, especially in contemporary stories. I’m also a sucker for novels in verse. I might not be the best choice for hard SciFi, high fantasy, or YA romance (although I enjoy elements of all those genres), unless they focus on strong characters first, before world building and plot. Picture books and early readers aren’t my wheelhouse, but I do like funny or quirky stories, or stories based on fairy tales, and can be wowed by a unique premise. If any of that sounds like your story might be a good fit, send it my way. If not, try me anyway. I’d love to be surprised by something I wasn’t expecting or might not have asked for.     

Some of my recent favorites include FURIA; RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE; A WOLF FOR A SPELL; THE LAST FIFTH GRADE OF EMERSON ELEMENTARY; the ENGINERDS series; THE INQUISITOR’S TALE; THE NIGHT GARDENER; MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM; PIE IN THE SKY; and GET A GRIP, VIVY COHEN.

Put your title, genre, and 35-word pitch in the comments for this post. (Title and genre don’t count toward your word count.) I’m offering critiques to the two writers I feel I can help the most, your choice of either your first ten pages or your submission package (pitch, query, synopsis, and first three pages). 

Thanks for having the courage to share your pitch with me. I wish I could choose more of them!

Michelle E

Hello everyone! I’m Michelle Ernst. I write YA fantasy and YA thrillers. I would love to see just about anything, but I’m partial to stories with snarky humor (like Jonathan Stroud), fairytale retellings, mysteries, and scary stories. Some examples of my favorite books are SCYTHE, LOCKWOOD & CO., TRULY DEVIOUS, WINGS OF FURY, and THE BARTIMAEUS TRILOGY (and its prequel). I won’t be a good fit for picture books. I love them, but I don’t think I would be helpful.

For the prize, I’m offering a critique of the first 2500 words to the winner. Please put your title, genre, and 35-word pitch in the comments for this post. If I’m interested, I’ll ask for your first page to review. Thank you and good luck! I’m so excited to see your amazing pitches!

Annmarie

Hi Everyone! I’m Annmarie Worthington. I write MG and YA Fantasy/Sci-fi, but am also an avid reader of historical fiction and mysteries for those age groups as well. I love character based stories with heart, and creative worldbuilding. I would not be a good fit for picture books, horror, or dark fantasy.

I’m offering a critique of your first chapter and query letter as well as a 30-minute plot brainstorming session together over Zoom. Put your 35-word pitch and genre in the comments. I am offering a critique to the writer whose pitch I connect with the most.