Spotlight on New Book Debut Author Krista Nerestant

Indestructible: The Hidden Gifts of Trauma by Krista Nerestant

1- Would you tell us something about hypnotism that people don't tend to know?

Most people don't know that hypnotism is that the client is very much aware and conscious of everything that is going on but the hypnotist has guided the client to achieve an alpha state brain wave (or deeper) to access information only received by the subconscious. It is a delicate balance of both conscious mind and subconscious mind.

2- Would you please, in 160 characters or less, give a #WriteTip ?

Write a vomit draft without obsessing over the grammar and technicalities of the craft.

3- What most motivates you to read a new book?

I am motivated by my desire to explore in the narratives of someone else's story. It is my outlet to get out of my own story and journey onto another. Whether fantasy or real. It's all an escape for me.

4- What is the most inspiring aspect of being an immigrant in the United States from the Philippines?

The most inspiring aspect of being an immigrant is having a very different perspective in life. As an immigrant I do not take anything for granted having come from a country that is economically less fortunate than the US. My insatiable need to be always curious, I believe is an inspiring aspect of me due to being an immigrant.

5- Would you share a picture with us of your book in an interesting setting?

6- Would you please share a simple self-care tip someone could try today?

Place a hand on your chest and one in your belly, take a deep inhale and affirm. "I am safe and able." Take your time in exhaling the breath out.

7- What's your Twitter handle, and do you have two or three writer friends on there to shout-out to for #WriterWednesday ?

@knerestant1 Shout out to @ashleyormon

8- Do you have a favorite #bookstagram image or account/ profile?

@bookswithtay

9- Are you a Plotter, Pantser, or Plantser, and how did you adopt that style?

Definitely a Plotter. I adopted this style because it allowed me to focus and have a sense of where to head to next as I write but isn’t so rigid that I can’t divert from it.

10- What does your basic writing schedule look like, and how often do you write?

My writing schedule isn’t scheduled at all. I am the writer who goes all in and then will pause if need be. A break isn’t necessarily caused by writer's block, it’s just a respite from going hard in the paint.

11- What is your favorite book by someone else, what's the author's Twitter handle, and what do you love most about that book? #FridayReads book recommendation time!

Author name: Kristin Hannah
Title: Night Road
Love because: Kristin Hannah has a magical way in writing fiction while weaving in such raw, genuine, true to life emotional dynamics for the readers to get lost in.


12- What emotions do you hope your book will evoke for the reader?

Indestructible: The Hidden Gifts of Trauma will stimulate and evoke the emotions of courage, faith, hope, grief, empathy, and most importantly triumph.

13- What kind of impact do you hope your book will have?

The impact Indestructible will have on the community is one that will propel the reader to truly honor their own experiences for the benefit of their growth and evolution which will impact the collective.

14- What is your favorite creative non-writing activity to do?

Yoga and Salsa Dancing

15- In what ways are the main characters in your book diverse? diversebooks.org #WeNeedDiverseBooks

I am a Filipina Immigrant and in the first half of the book, I take you on the journey to explore The Philippines, not just in its culture but all its native elements.

16- What method do you feel is the best way to get book reviews?

Social Media influencers have definitely changed the game in how to promote and market your book.

17- What was the deciding factor in your publication route?

Honoring my wants as well as being honest about what I cannot control or do. Hence I chose a publisher that was a partner.

18- What's the biggest writing goal you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?

To finish all 3 books inside of me.

19- Would you please ask our audience a question to answer in the comments?

How does reading impact you mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually?

20- Anything else you would care to share about your book and yourself?

The importance of self caring is not a trend. It should be part of your daily regimen to hold oneself accountable, responsible, and aware of one’s journey to living a fulfilling and rewarding life. You’re worth it.

https://www.self-ishlifestyle.com/our-story-1
https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-nerestant-938137127/
https://www.instagram.com/selfishlifestyleapproach/


Indestructible: The Hidden Gifts of Trauma by Krista Nerestant

What does a literary agent do all day?

Have you ever wondered what a literary agent does all day?  I googled "day in the life of a literary agent" and these are the top sites, along with one point from each site:

Laura Williams
Every day is different, but every day is based around promoting and protecting the interests of our talented authors, which is a delight and a privilege.


Linda Pratt
I emailed a different client to let her know that the editor to whom we had submitted her picture book manuscript last week with one of our illustrators attached responded very quickly that she loved the project, and it sounded like we might have an offer this week . . . although it always remains just a potential offer until it actually comes.


Agent Nolan [in UK]
10.45am:  A client turns up, which is always a treat.  We leave the office for a meeting at a publishing house nearby.  On the way, we discuss their work in progress and attempt to unpick a knotty plotting problem.


Jonny Geller
•  Read and annotate the latest draft of a manuscript while in labour
•  Fall in love with a manuscript that was written under a pseudonym and then have no idea who to ask for when you arrange to meet them in a restaurant
•  Break best offer news to an author from a beach in the Mediterranean


Mary C Moore
•  An editor expresses interest in a submission. It’s too early to tell, but must nudge everyone else who has it!
•  The cover of a different project has been finalized. It’s super beautiful and there’s all kinds of buzz. Time to alert the subagents and pitch it to audio!


Juliet Mushens
Having shaken the trees, I then receive a Brazilian offer and a Czech offer for the same book and discuss strategy with the co-agents there. I email the author with an update (the most exciting part!) and I again email all other co-agents around the world to update them on the news, as well as the scouts. This is… a LOT of emails.


Jennifer Johnson-Blalock
6-8:30: I go to a mixer for acquiring editors and agents working in adult fiction. Publishing mixers can be tiring—a room full of introverts being forced to people!—but it’s a great way to meet many editors you haven’t yet connected with. I leave with several business cards and a new submission possibility for one of my clients.

 

Click on the links to learn more about what an agent does all day!

June 2021 Pass or Pages Entry #5

 

It's time for the Pass or Pages feedback reveal!  We're so thankful for our awesome agents Michaela Whatnall, Rebecca Podos, and Elle Thompson for taking the time to critique these entries.  And a shout out to the brave authors whose work will be on the blog this week.  You are awesome!

Entry 5: Winter of Reckless Magic

Query:

 

Tech-savvy, cube-dweller Elise does not want to start the workday with her insane mother’s warning about a witchy murder. All she wants is to impress her boss at her new Silicon Valley job in tech marketing and make a decent living in the expensive Bay Area. Plus, finagle an invitation to the famous marketing conference in San Francisco.

But once she witnesses a magical murder in the forest near her home[MW1], Elise suspects her mother is right about myth and magic. Mom may not be crazy after all.  

Now Elise needs to decide whether to join her mother’s coven or abandon the only family she knows. Her growing crush on the handsome man who might be a werewolf doesn’t make her decision any easier—and her bumbling attempts to activate her witch powers complicate her efforts to uncover the murderer[MW2].

As the worlds of technology, magic, and Norse myth intertwine[MW3], Elise realizes more than her career is at stake. She must learn whom she can trust in the magical world, and how she can use her nascent powers to save her newfound magical community from the murderer.

I am seeking representation for WINTER OF RECKLESS MAGIC, a 95,000-word Urban Fantasy set in Silicon Valley that will appeal to readers of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah E. Harkness and The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black, as well as readers intrigued by Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener. My novel is for readers who hope that fire-breathing dragons interrupt meetings and destroy deadlines, but mostly for readers who dream that magic and technology co-exist[RP1][ET1].
~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW1] I like that we learn about her initial goal immediately in the first paragraph, and then quickly after we get the twist, which makes things very easy to follow.
[MW2] I’m curious is her tech job plays into the plot at all, or if she moves on from it when she embraces witchcraft, especially because it was such a big element of the opening paragraph.

[MW3] Interesting mash-up! You may want to lay out more clearly how the Norse mythology is involved.

Rebecca's comments:

[RP1] I really like the blending of contemporary elements and magic here! I tend to really like contemp/urban fantasy. I’m a little confused about the choice between joining the coven or abandoning the family she knows; this means her mother, right? Why would she be abandoning her, and if that’s the choice, why would she make it? I’m totally find with this set up, but do want to understand the personal and external stakes a little better. I’d also love a hint of that Norse mythology somewhere in the plot synopsis.

Elle's comments: 

[ET1] I find it strange that her mom would warn her about a ‘witchy murder’ but long delay actually teaching her about her magical background and coven. I love the comp cross between Harkness and Wiener! I wonder if following Harkness’s cue, and making Elise simply rejecting of her witch background, rather than unaware, might work better here? The query doesn’t make the next issue—joining her coven or abandoning all contact with her family—clear, either. This implies possibly that everyone in her family is an aware member of the coven except for her? I think the reasoning for Elise’s ignorance needs to be persuasively woven into the pitch itself, to understand the starting point of her motivations throughout the rest of the book. I’d also clarify the Handsome Werewolf’s role in the book beyond being handsome; is he involved in the hunt for the killer? What’s the relationship between witches and werewolves here? Or is he just someone she met in a coffeeshop who is functioning as a love interest? Clarifying the underlying potential politics of that love interest will significantly improve interest in that plot element, since it’s important enough to make it into the query letter in the first place.

First 250 Words:

 

All the kids I knew thought their moms were crazy. Mine actually was.

So when she called to warn me, I had no patience. “Morning, Mom, I’m in a bit of a hurry. What’s up?” Didn’t I just visit her in the asylum?

“Little Elise kitten, I was just thinking about you…” I bristled at the childhood pet name. Mom hadn’t called me that ridiculous nickname since I rode a pink neon bike with training wheels. But now I was a busy adult with important responsibilities.  

Although she sounded logical today, the woman was insane, and that was a fact. Something was up; otherwise, we’d talk Saturday when the asylum allowed her a weekly phone call. If whatever bothered her warranted facetime, her caretakers always helped me schedule a visit. Mom never called me out of the blue before.

“Sorry, Mom, I gotta go. I need to start my run and get to work before the Silicon Valley traffic gets too insane.”  I winced. I didn’t mean to say that word to Mom.  Who was more insane? The lunatic inside the asylum, or the lunatic outside the asylum?

“Not today you don’t.” Her conviction set off alarm bells in my head as she doubled down. “Kitten, I can see danger and death in the future. Stay out of the forest, stay out of trouble, and don’t tattletale to the police. They can’t help you.”

Oh Lord, not this again. More crystal ball, fortune-telling voodoo. Definitely a setback in her therapy[MW4][RP2][ET2].
~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW4] Pass

Rebecca's comments:

[RP2] I understand that the mom has been clinically diagnosed as mentally ill, but I’ll admit that the casual use of “insane” “crazy” and “lunatic” bothered me, the casual narrative tone notwithstanding, and can come across as ableist. For that reason, I would pass.

Elle's comments: 

[ET2] Overall, I’m a hard sell for urban fantasy, and I’m not sure this is quite yet a fit for me, and so this will be a PASS. However, I think you’ve got some great potential here!

 

Results:

Michaela Whatnall: Pass

Rebecca Podos: Pass

Elle Thompson: Pass

June 2021 Pass or Pages Entry #4

 

It's time for the Pass or Pages feedback reveal!  We're so thankful for our awesome agents Michaela Whatnall, Rebecca Podos, and Elle Thompson for taking the time to critique these entries.  And a shout out to the brave authors whose work will be on the blog this week.  You are awesome!

Entry 4: Nightfall in Chains

Query:

 

I'm seeking representation for my historical fantasy NIGHTFALL IN CHAINS, set in Anatolia during a turbulent time of the late Hellenistic period. I believe this novel can help fill a gap for an often misrepresented and lesser celebrated culture as people of West Asian descent are often portrayed as villains, and I'd like to show that we can be passionate, kind, honorable, and flawed, just like those from other backgrounds.

Izel and her sister Azize spent their lives hiding from villagers who’d like to see them slain for simply being born shaman, but there are only so many places to hide in Anatolia. A warlord and his soldiers discover their clan of gentle healers, and then decimate them. Both Izel and Azize think the other died during the slaughtering of their clan, and it sets them onto very different paths.

Izel becomes a weapon for the warlord who killed her clan, persuaded by the warlord’s bold and idealistic daughter, Leyla. Izel and Leyla share a desire to stop the killing of innocent shaman, to bring equality to all Anatolians, and their desires bond them.

But Azize only craves revenge for the sister she believes is dead. Her grief turns to rage and she builds an army of rebel shaman, determined to kill the warlord who destroyed her life along with his bloodthirsty daughter[MW1].

Sisters, shaman, young women pushed to their limits by cruelty and hate, both battling on opposite sides. One fights to liberate her kind from persecution, the other becomes a warrior to avenge the fallen. The fate of Anatolia, of all shaman, may be damned or spared depending on whether Izel and Azize discover the other is alive, and how they’ve been using their powers[MW2].

NIGHTFALL IN CHAINS is an adult LGBTQIA+ historical fantasy complete at 104,000 words. The Turkish mythology gives the story a unique aspect, but the lore and legends have been portrayed in a way that’s rather accessible. This story has the tight pace and gritty action of Joe Abercrombie, the mystical and archaic feel of Brandon Sanderson, and the high-intensity romance of Charlaine Harris[RP1][ET1].

~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW1] I like how the experience and motivation of each sister is laid out clearly.

[MW2] I’m curious about what their powers involve—this could be something to mention in the second paragraph.

Rebecca's comments:

[RP1] I love historical fantasy! I would have liked to know a little more about Izel and Azize before their clan is decimated, beyond their powers—what they each hoped for and how they differed, so that we have a hint of why they took such different paths when they believed each other to be dead. But I’m intrigued by the mythology here.

Elle's comments: 

[ET1] This query presents a clear and really exciting set-up. However, I’d revisit the ending of your pitch: “…may be damned or spared depending on whether Izel and Azize discover the other is alive, and how they’d been using their powers.” The whole of your story should be leading up to the confrontation of Izel and Azize as their grief is temporarily resolved, and then the conflict as they come to terms with how diametrically opposed they now are—framing it as “whether or not” they ever meet again feels like a huge deflation hit to my reading excitement.

First 250 Words:

Izel hid behind a tree at the edge of a forest. She peeked between waxy leaves and stared into a small settlement, watching villagers go about their daily lives. The people didn’t know she spied on them. They tended to the little gardens outside their cute cottages, stood in groups gossiping about friends and family, completely unaware Izel tried to remember their witty retorts and the new way they braided flowers into their hair so she could copy it later on. They had no idea how much she wished to be one of them.

Villagers had something Izel and her kind could never possess­. Pride, the type of pride that came with having roots. The men and women Izel observed were born in this village, as were their ancestors going back generations.

Izel had no village to call home, no roots to keep her grounded. Like all shaman, she’d been driven to the wilds long ago. The woods that surrounded her—the long and twisted tree limbs creaking in cool winds, the sunlight sneaking between fluttering leaves and shining onto rocks­—was the closest she’d ever come to a home. Comfort set upon her in these woods, but not security. Her kind was never safe.

Most settlements in Anatolia would burn a shaman alive before welcoming them into the bazaar to trade their services for goods, which would be the reason Izel hid behind a tree watching villagers instead of introducing herself to them[MW3][RP2][ET2].

~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW3] I'd love to read the first 25 pages!

Rebecca's comments:

[RP2] I love the world building here, though I feel as though we jump in a little too quickly, and are being told things I’d love to be shown, specifically Izel’s lack of safety and pride, as well as the danger facing her. That’s a lot to set up in the first few paragraphs, and like Izel, I feel a little like I’m outside of this world looking in, rather than immersed. For that reason, I think I would pass.

Elle's comments:  

[ET2] I’d linger more on description. You open with Izel hiding and, essentially, people-watching. Open more lyrically, telling us what she’s seeing. You’re writing in historical fantasy, so your opportunity for purplish prose and description is pretty vast, and at 104,000 words on an adult fantasy, you’ve got some decent page real estate to make use of. 

  Overall, you have a really compelling premise, and I’m interested in seeing where this story goes. I’m requesting PAGES—the full MS, in .doc format.  Thank you!

 

Results:

Michaela Whatnall: Pages!

Rebecca Podos: Pass

Elle Thompson: Pages!

June 2021 Pass or Pages Entry #3

 

It's time for the Pass or Pages feedback reveal!  We're so thankful for our awesome agents Michaela Whatnall, Rebecca Podos, and Elle Thompson for taking the time to critique these entries.  And a shout out to the brave authors whose work will be on the blog this week.  You are awesome!

Entry 3: Borne of the Wind

Query:

 

Borne of the Wind[MW1] is a character-driven, adult epic fantasy novel, complete at about 118,000 words.

Iraja, Huntmaster of the dhan’ya army, was raised with one goal: sacrifice himself to the Wind Spirit to end the hundred-year war with the Margas Kingdom. Elliott, puppet prince of the Margas, wants to protect his sister but lacks any real power. When Iraja’s god turns his assassination mission into a rescue and the chance for true peace, Iraja’s life is set adrift, and Elliott must work with the dhan’ya to become a real ruler in order to free himself and his sister forever[MW2].

But the path to peace is not an easy one[MW3]. They face political intrigue, conniving advisors, and a matriarch willing to destroy her own children for revenge. Helping the peace along are a telepathic former Huntmaster, a healer wishing for more in life, and a family of prostitutes who can sway the Dhan’ya Realm any way they choose.

When soul-stealers are released to sabotage the truce and Elliott’s former captor threatens to outwit them all, both sides must decide what lengths they’ll go to in order to end the war without slaughter.

Borne of the Wind[MW1] features a diverse cast of characters, strong women in positions of power, and an ongoing conflict between two societies: one matriarchal, one patriarchal[MW4]. In the fight for peace between these century-old enemies, characters must learn to live with people they hate and figure out who they are in a changing world. Comparable titles include The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon and the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Mass[RP1][ET1].

~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW1] BORNE OF THE WIND

[MW2] I’m taking from this that Iraja rescues Elliott (and his sister?), but it took me a couple of reads to understand. Clarify what the rescue mission is.

[MW3] I’m always curious about character, and I wonder here what the relationship between Iraja and Elliott is like as they work together. Is it fraught? Is it friendly?

[MW4] This is interesting—if this is a defining feature of the world, I’d suggest putting it near the top of the query.

Rebecca's comments:

[RP1] I appreciate that this specifies the genre! And how it up the conflict fairly neatly in a short space. I might like a few more details (what is Elliot protecting his sister from? Their matriarch? Is that also Eliott’s former captor?) I’m also wondering whether this is a queer fantasy, since PRIORY is a pretty remarkable comp. My totally subjective hesitation is that I don’t love the term “strong women” in a query letter, because I also think that term is pretty subjective.

Elle's comments: 

[ET1] Right off the bat: great choice, to highlight the aspects of the book in your query opening (categorization, word count, and that it’s character driven). That tells agents a lot and primes them to read your query with the right frame of mind without being presumptuous about what we should be interpreting.

  You should name Elliott’s sister. Iraia reads as a feminine name, and without naming Elliott’s sister, it took me two reads of the sentences to discern that Iraia and Elliott weren’t directly connected. Also: protect his sister from what, specifically?

First 250 Words:

 

It was a good night for an assassination.

Iraja the Wind Master glided on the wind above the soldiers so swiftly not even the keenest warrior could sense his presence. At his command, the wind burst across the castle grounds, shaking doors and breaking open windows too weak to withstand the sudden gale, until most of the guards within left their posts to secure the rooms now exposed to the coming storm. Iraja scaled the innermost tower undetected. His light body vaulted up from the merest foothold to reach an open window in the tower.

Collecting the air around his hands into a swirling torrent, Iraja leapt onto the windowsill and unleashed the raging winds inside the small room, sending furniture crashing back and forth against the walls. Debris clattered to ground as the winds ended as quick as they’d come.

With only moonlight to light the room, Iraja searched for flesh and blood amid the shattered wood on the floor. No one could have avoided his attack, but Iraja refused to leave until he confirmed that his target was dead. A boy shivered just beyond the shattered bedframe, which had speared the mortar in the stone wall. His body trembled violently, but he remained unscathed by the vicious attack. Iraja didn’t move, didn’t breathe. His target was alive! Iraja called the winds to his will again, but this time the air did not heed his command—the wind itself betrayed him. How could the wind fail a Wind Master?[MW5][RP2][ET2]

~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW5] Pass

Rebecca's comments:

[RP2] This, too, is really subjective—I prefer fantasy when I get to know the character a little before I see them/their powers in action, and so while this is well written, I would pass.

Elle's comments: 

[ET2] I think your prose style needs a little refining to set up pacing and tone, but overall, your plot sounds really action-packed and tied well to your world-building. I’m requesting PAGES, a full MS in .doc format, for this.

 

Results:

Michaela Whatnall: Pass

Rebecca Podos: Pass

Elle Thompson: Pages!

June 2021 Pass or Pages Entry #2

 

It's time for the Pass or Pages feedback reveal!  We're so thankful for our awesome agents Michaela Whatnall, Rebecca Podos, and Elle Thompson for taking the time to critique these entries.  And a shout out to the brave authors whose work will be on the blog this week.  You are awesome!

Entry 2: The Keepers of the Crown

Query:

 

Every High King selects Keepers to protect him… however this King chose ones that each secretly want him dead[MW1].

Dagny Silversight, the lost exiled princess of the former murdered King[MW2], wants to kill the new King more than anyone. Dagny— armed with a grudge, dark powers, and the knowledge and uncanny abilities of Moratheen’s most mysterious and all-seeing cult — wants revenge for her slain family. She is going to help the Keepers to do just that.

Once a timid child, Dagny now finds herself leading the three bickering Keepers: a doctor from a colonized race who wants justice for her people, a veteran knight seeking to end a witch’s curse, and an immortal pirate who wants…. well, the King’s supply of wine. One problem: they believe only one of them can get what they want[MW3].

After a comedy of errors where the Keepers thwart each other’s assassination attempts, the fearful King goes into hiding. Now their biggest enemy is each other. The three plunge every province into civil war in a race to find the King. Now their only hope in finding him rests in the hands of Dagny and her dark affiliations. After losing one family, Dagny refuses to lose another, and won't help them unless they unite[MW4].

But sometimes the only worthy price is blood. The four motley heroes stumble over one another to end the King’s reign, life, and belief that all heroes are good.

THE KEEPERS OF THE CROWN is complete at 95k words, told in a dark but humorous tone akin to that of Nicholas Eames’ Kings of the Wyld. While the story does have series potential, it works as a standalone as well[RP1][ET1].
~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW1] The way this is set up, I’d assume that either the king is the central character, or that the Keepers each share the spotlight. If Dagny is the protagonist, pull her into your opening line.

[MW2] There’s a lot going on in this phrase. I would suggest deleting “lost,” switching out “princess” for “daughter,” and clarifying who killed the previous king.

[MW3] Why?

[MW4] I didn’t get the sense before now that the Keepers cared about each other at all, so the idea of them being a family is surprising.

Rebecca's comments:

[RP1] I’m intrigued by court intrigue, always, and I like that we get to know a little about Dagny, what she wants, and how she plans to get it (though I’m not sure where her dark powers and uncanny abilities overlap?) I also LOVE the description of her fellow keepers, and the set-up of four dueling assassins who are all meant to protect the king, and would keep reading for that alone. I love that tagline in the second-to-last paragraph as well. I’m not sure whether this is adult or YA, though?

Elle's comments: 

[ET1] Why would the High King select only Keepers who have compelling motive to kill him? This seems like a high-stakes political choice that the High King would have spent great thought, political power play, and general speculation in choosing, probably selecting people who had been close and consistent allies, likely family, for a long time prior to his ascension. Why is Dagny lost/how is she found? It sounds like she’s active in the kingdom’s central power—the castle, I presume—so how has nobody noticed and executed her? It makes sense that the doctor and the knight might not reveal her presence, but if the pirate only wants the High King’s wine cellar, and he’s a pirate and therefore likely to have poor moral authority, then why would they not immediately trade Dagny for the wine? And under what authority do these Keepers plunge the country into civil war? It’s unclear what provincial political powers they would wield, and it seems highly unlikely that a colonized (and therefore presumably minority) doctor, or a pirate, would be given land titles to influence this sort of military intrigue.

  Overall, the query leaves me with a lot of plot logic questions, and ones that are likely to stump other agents as well to varying degrees. At 95k, I assume this novel is adult, so you certainly have the word count real estate to modify and expand your world building. In thinking about your comp to Eames, he premises a fairly recognizable high fantasy set-up against a character line-up with a lot of personality, and that’s where the comedy steps in. Here, I think perhaps too much comedy/absurdity has been injected into the plot set-up fundamentally, and it instigates questionability of the story, rather than highlighting the entertaining merit of the peculiar character cast. In Eames’s novel, the mercenaries are a bit funny now because they’re well past their prime, but we still believe that they have their abilities, skills, and knowledge because we know that they used to be quite legitimate. In KEEPERS, I’m not sure the same skeleton has been afforded to your Keepers or, by extension, Dagna.

First 250 Words:

 

High Kings and High Queens come and go.

Some die peacefully in their beds with their heirs cozy at their side… and by “some” I refer to only four of the 233 High Rulers the vast land of Moratheen has seen.

Others have been poisoned, stabbed, bludgeoned, ransomed, flayed, drowned, burned by sorcerers, frozen by witches, beheaded; they have swallowed a stone instead of a berry, swallowed something else and choked, or have been swallowed; pushed from towers, succumbed to “natural causes” (meaning those yet to have seen a coroner), and all other sorts of imaginative, colourful devices.

Every king has four carefully selected Keepers to protect them from harm, and they— as you have probably come to realize— have a tremendously busy job.

The announcement ceremony when a High King elects his Keepers is always joyous. Men and women come from all edges of Moratheen; some only ever heard of in legends or bedside tales, and swear themselves to the new king upon his invitation. Centuries of Keepers had been chosen in the High Keep of the High King, and all of them had been showered in wealth and applause, adored and celebrated throughout the realm, and most importantly, given the unsoiled seat at the bar. Even the Keepers themselves, honored, would gleam on at the crowd as they were knighted, sworn in to forever protect the High King so long as they stood.

Today, the ceremony was happy for only three men[MW5][RP2][ET2].
~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW5] Pass

Rebecca's comments:

[RP2] I’m in, pages! I love these opening paragraphs. Though I would like a clue as to who’s voice or POV we’re in, whether it’s Dagny or a really intrusive narrative voice (I’d prefer the former, but would like a signal either way).

Elle's comments: 

[ET2] I think it’s interesting that you’ve chosen a first person POV storyteller to witness the story. Who is the storyteller? You don’t need to tell us in the query or first 250, necessarily, but there ought to be an answer somewhere in the book. Otherwise, I actually quite like this set-up; I think the voice sounds fun, and the pacing seems promising.

  Given the plot structure concerns, this is currently a PASS for me, but I do hope you find my notes helpful in thinking about how you’re setting up that relationship between world-building and character motivations!

 

Results:

Michaela Whatnall: Pass

Rebecca Podos: Pages!

Elle Thompson: Pass

June 2021 Pass or Pages Entry #1

It's time for the Pass or Pages feedback reveal!  We're so thankful for our awesome agents Michaela Whatnall, Rebecca Podos, and Elle Thompson for taking the time to critique these entries.  And a shout out to the brave authors whose work will be on the blog this week.  You are awesome!

Entry 1: The Adventures of Imperceptibility Happenstance

Query:

 

In THE ADVENTURES OF IMPERCEPTIBILITY HAPPENSTANCE[MW1], daydreams of pirates and dragons become perilous reality for a young inhabitant of a Disenchantment-like fantasy world who is tricked into owning a magic lamp containing a dangerous djinn.
 

Mild-mannered Imperceptibility Happenstance has always dreamed of being an adventurer, and hopes the djinn lamp she finds will help her. However, the first wish granted[MW2] by the devious djinn has her press-ganged then cast adrift, ending up in the underworld, where she meets the dread Kharon (actually, it’s Karrin—everyone gets it wrong). When Imperceptibility reaches the surface world again, via the tunnels of the Humble Monks, she stumbles into a plot by a ruthless businessman to destroy a valley’s ecology.
 

She decides action is necessary[MW3], and assisted by a quantum dragon and a three-headed dog, as well as bearing delicious baked goods, she leads the valley’s inhabitants on an attack against his the businessman's stronghold.
 

Along the way, she finds out if she has what it takes to become a fully-fledged member of The Adventurers’ Society[MW4].
 

This comic fantasy novel, complete at 67,500 words will appeal to readers of Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching novels and viewers of Matt Groening’s Disenchantment[MW5][RP1][ET1].

~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW1] Before I realized this was the name of the protagonist, this title read awkwardly to me.

[MW2] I’m curious about what her first wish was.

[MW3] This is a little passive. This query is relatively short, so you have room to expand here.

[MW4] Was joining this society her goal from the very beginning? If so, mention that at the top.

[MW5] You use this comp twice in the query—in case an agent doesn’t recognize the comp, I’d recommend switching out the first mention and sharing some details to define the world instead.

Rebecca's comments:

[RP1] This is an incredibly specific and subjective note, but the title did throw me for a moment; the fact that “imperceptibility” and “happenstance” are nouns is intentional, of course, but I was looking for some missing conjunctions, so I was off to a bit of a stumbling start. Again, completely subjective! But also worth considering whether the charm of the name is worth the confusion.
 

I like that we learn about Imperceptibility’s hunger for adventure, and I know the genre is kind of episodic by nature, and that it’s meant to be humorous and light fantasy. Still, I’d love it if the personal stakes were a bit more personal; if we could get to know a little about Imp, where she comes from, what it would mean to her to become a member of the Society, and what it would mean if she failed.
 

I would also specify that age-range, since the wordcount and content could apply to MG, YA, or adult (though the former seems more in MG fantasy range). I might like a more current comp as well; when you use a classic of the genre, it’s sometimes helpful to demonstrate that the story works in the contemporary market as well (but I love the show comp!)

Elle's comments: 

[ET1] This query cites the book as a ‘comic fantasy novel’, but you would really benefit from adding “middle grade” here, as that seems to be the case? I assume middle grade because both Pratchett’s and Groening’s comps are generally age categorized for young adolescents, I think. But that leads to a further potential problem: this query generally doesn’t feel like it has a clear age category. 67,000 words is a fairly average length for a middle grade fantasy, if potentially on the lower side (depending on who you ask). This vagueness about intended audience makes it hard to give clear notes on what direction to go in.

What purpose does ending up in the underworld serve Imperceptibility/the story? The query pitch doesn’t indicate much follow-through threading on how her start is leading to her eventually leading the fight against the environmentally destructive businessman, and it feels like the plot may be a bit wandering until we get to the surface. This may just be an element of the query letter to be refined! Overall, I’d say: make sure that Imperceptibility has a clear character arc to track throughout the book, and ideally one that goes somewhat beyond her simply finding an opportunity to take a stand. We know she wants to be an adventurer, so what’s stopping her in her personality? What personal achievements must she gain, or what character flaws must she overcome, and how do her encounters along the way contribute to this inner quest?

First 250 Words:

On one thoroughly normal morning in the Estalian capital of Pyrhia, Imperceptibility Happenstance was ambling through the market for her daily visit to the city’s central library, absent-mindedly munching an apricot croissant purchased from Pierre’s Patisserie.
 

She wore an ensemble of garish, clashing clothes, as was her customary mode of dress, for no better (or worse) reason than she liked bright fabrics.
 

Growing up in the Convent of the Ethynites’ orphanage in Pyrhia, where clothing was chosen based on functionality and availability, she had developed no fashion sense; nor had she any desire to spend time coordinating her clothing when she could be reading instead. When shopping by herself, her gaze automatically settled on the garment with the most vivid colours, so that’s what she tended to buy. This also made for speedier shopping than trying to choose among all the drab greys and browns and greens—she wasn’t very good at making decisions at the best of times, so shortcuts like heading towards the brightest colours saved a lot of time. The most important attribute of suitable clothing, she thought, was that it came with ample pockets—book-sized pockets, ideally.
 

The market in the desert city of Pyrhia might have been crowded and bustling, or it might have been empty in the oppressive heat of the morning, but Imperceptibility didn’t notice. As usual, she was busy daydreaming, valiantly defending her city from attack by fierce pirates as still fiercer dragons filled the sky[MW6][RP2][ET2].

~~

Michaela's comments: 

[MW6] Pass. Unfortunately, comedic fantasy is not the right fit for me.

Rebecca's comments:

[RP2] It would be a pass for me, though the genre just isn’t the best fit. But I’m also still not exactly sure of the age-range. The fact that Imp is shopping points toward at least YA or adult, but the language in the first paragraph, with lots of alliteration, makes it read young. Because of that, I would likely stop reading there.

Elle's comments: 

[ET2] I’d hone your narrative voice to be more comic and narrative than simply ‘telling’. I was surprised by the traditional style given the query pitch, and it feels like the narrative style may be out of tune with the query’s vision. I think this style of book would benefit from a conversational and playful narrator, one who perhaps is a close 3rd POV witnessing style that somewhat tells the tale to the reader, rather than a flatter narrative style.

Overall, this query is a PASS from me, but I think there’s great potential here for a really fun story, and for Imperceptibility to be an adventurous and clever young protagonist.

 

Results:

Michaela Whatnall: Pass

Rebecca Podos: Pass

Elle Thompson: Pass

Flash Fiction Friday

 It's Flash Fiction Friday! For this week's contest, go to HuffPost's Weird News page and write a short piece based on a headline! 

Length: 2000 words
Deadline: Sunday, June 20, 2021, 2am Central Standard Time

Leave your entry in the comments, please. As always, the winner will get a badge and bragging rights!

Dear O'Abby: Tell me about querying

 Dear O'Abby,

I'm a pretty new writer in terms of looking toward publishing a novel and so I've been thirstily sucking up all the information I can about the process.  I've been reading this blog for a few weeks and have been interested in the number of posts referencing querying.

I know what querying is in a pretty basic way - it's pitching your book to an agent or publisher - but I'm looking for a little more information about the process.

Is that something you can help me with?

All the best,

Uncertain

Dear Uncertain,

Querying is a pretty big topic, but I'll try to keep things fairly high level for now.  There are a lot of resources out there to help you, so I'll share some of the ones I find most useful.

You're right about what querying is - a pitch to agents or publishers.  It is important to decide which because you don't really want to be trying to get a publisher and an agent at the same time.  It's important to be clear in your own mind what you want from your book and what route is the best one to take to get that.

If you want to be traditionally published by one of the major publishing houses, you will need an agent.  When querying agents, it's important that you research each one to make sure your book fits with them.  A quick way to get a pile of rejections is to query agents who don't represent the genre or category your book fits into.  You want to find an agent who loves your book and will champion it to publishers on your behalf. I suggest spending time at MS Wish List, researching what different agents are looking for and compiling a list of the ones that would be a good fit for your story.

It's important that your book is ready before you start querying.  Yes, you will likely do revisions once you have signed with one, but your best chance of getting one in the first place is to have a well polished manuscript.  There are a lot of books being queried at any one time, and if yours looks like it needs more work than others that come across an agent's desk, it will have to be pretty darn spectacular to get picked up.  And most agents won't look at a book they've rejected again, even if you've done substantial revisions since the last time you queried it.  Make sure your book is as good as you can get it before you dive into the trenches.

If you're not sure traditional publishing is the right thing for you, you may want to look at small presses instead.  Some of these require an agent too, but there are a large number you can submit to directly.  Small presses generally don't pay advances and the amount of publicity and marketing you get can be limited, so be prepared to have to do a lot of that work yourself if you sign with a small press.  Their distribution channels can also be rather limited, so if your dream for your book is for it to be in bookstores and libraries worldwide, small press publishing might not be for you.  If this is the route you want to go, there is great information about small presses that accept un-agented submissions at Authors Publish.  You need to subscribe, but subscription is free.

If you like to be in control of everything, you might be better off self-publishing.  That way you can be in charge of when your book releases, what it looks like, and how it is marketed to readers.  Self publishing is a lot of work, but the stigma that used to be attached to self-pubbing is wearing off and numerous writers are building successful careers for themselves this way.  It's more work, but you also get more of the money from each book sold than you would get through traditional or small press publishing.  

Hopefully that helps you decide the best path for your work.  My only other advice is to always be courteous with the people you deal with along the way.  Publishing is a small world and one mis-step can derail your whole career.  You will get rejections along the way, and they will hurt.  You will get criticism you disagree with.  Restrain from lashing out at those who give you this.  It won't help you in the long run.

Good luck.  I'll probably see you out there in the trenches.  And join Operation Awesome's query support group so you don't feel so alone as your rejection emails start piling up.

X O'Abby

Spotlight on New Book Debut Author Melanie Gibson #kickingandscreaming

Kicking and Screaming: A Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts by Melanie Gibson

1- Would you please tell us about your tattoos?

I have three and will get a fourth one in June 2021:

1. My first tattoo that I got September 2018 is a black martial arts belt with a lotus flower on my right shoulder. One side of the belt has “Taekwondo” in Korean lettering, and the other has my name in Korean.

2. Inner left forearm done June 2020 – a red rose and key with the words “There are other worlds than these.” This quote is from Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, and the rose and key are symbolic throughout the series. I got this when I needed a reminder than there are always other opportunities and possibilities when life seems frustrating.

3. Inner right forearm done February 2021 – the word “Author”, a book, a flower, and hummingbird. The flower and hummingbird are from a pretty, little stained-glass lamp I keep on my desk and like to switch on when I write.

My fourth tattoo will be a tribute to my niece, who is the strongest, cutest baby I know.

2- Would you please, in 160 characters or less, give a #WriteTip ?

Read voraciously. You'll learn how you do and don’t want to write.

3- What most motivates you to read a new book?

An intriguing plot is motivating. If I’m dying to know what happens after reading the book’s description, I’m in.

4- International Panic Day, occurring on June 18, raises awareness of struggles with mental illness. What would you suggest to try on that day?

When we panic we often want to immediately escape our current emotions. Journaling helps me stay present and work through a challenge I’m having, and it often defuses the stress of my mental state.

5- Would you share a picture with us of your book with your black belt?

Yes! Great idea for a picture.


6- What was the most productive activity you took part in during the 2020 quarantine?

I edited the final draft of my memoir and worked with my publisher on cover design, distribution, and other aspects of the publishing process.

7- What's your Twitter handle, and do you have two or three writer friends on there to shout-out to for #WriterWednesday ?

My Twitter handle:
@TaekwondoLBB
Shout out to:
Jeffrey Davies @teeveejeff
Glennon Doyle @GlennonDoyle
Matt Jardine @thehardestpath

8- Do you have a favorite #bookstagram image or account/ profile?

My friend and author of the wonderful “Season of Angels” series Christopher Stanfield: @stanfieldwrites

9- Are you a Plotter, Pantser, or Plantser, and how did you adopt that style?

With memoir I’m a Plotter because I can see the story from beginning to end. With fiction I’m more of a Pantser because I sometimes have no idea what is going to happen until it does.

10- What does your basic writing schedule look like, and how often do you write?

I work full-time, and during the bulk of 2021 I’ve been involved in publicity for my published memoir, so I don’t write every day. I usually do creative writing on the weekends for a few hours a day.

11- What is your favorite book by someone else, what's the author's Twitter handle, and what do you love most about that book? #FridayReads book recommendation time!

Author name: Stephen King @StephenKing
Title: Revival
Love because: It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and the ending was delightfully bleak.


12- What emotions do you hope your book will evoke for the reader?

This may sound strange, but I hope my readers will recognize sadness, frustration, and anxiety. They are real emotions I experienced and are common shared human experiences. I also hope I will make them laugh, feel excited about the future, and enjoy the happy ending.

13- What kind of impact do you hope your book will have?

I hope my book will show people who are “hiding in plain sight” with mental illness—people who seem to be doing well but are suffering silently—are not alone. I hope to show readers that mental illness is more common than they think, and we as a society need to create an environment that is more open and accepting and promotes good mental health.

14- What is your favorite creative non-writing activity to do?

Taekwondo!


15- In what ways are the main characters in your book diverse? diversebooks.org #WeNeedDiverseBooks

My book is diverse in that it shows a person living and somewhat functioning with multiple mental illnesses in a society that breeds perfectionism and secrecy. Not everyone with mental illness is hospitalized or attempts suicide. Many people, like me, are “white-knuckling” it through life and feel like we can’t tell anyone.

Favorite book with diverse characters: Recently I read Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue, about a family of immigrants from Cameroon living in New York City. Excellent storytelling and intriguing characters. It shows a slice of life U.S. citizens don’t often think about.



16- What method do you feel is the best way to get book reviews?

Exposing your book to a wide variety of audiences may not guarantee reviews, but it builds awareness for many people. You never know where one connection or review may lead.

17- What was the deciding factor in your publication route?

I tried extensively to go the traditional route and get an agent and failed. After letting myself feel sad and frustrated, I read Greenlight Your Book by Brooke Warner and decided that if society has accepted independently produced movies and music, it was time to try independent publishing for my book. I was accepted by She Writes Press, a highly lauded independent press with traditional distribution. It was a wonderful experience with skilled professionals walking me through every step of the process.

18- What's the biggest writing goal you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?

I’ve already met a big one—becoming a published author! I would like to write and publish a novel, either comedy or horror.

19- Would you please ask our audience a question to answer in the comments?

What is your favorite positive self-care behavior when you’re having a rough mental health day?

20- Anything else you would care to share about your book and yourself?

Blurb:

“An inspiring, sharp, and disarmingly humorous account about taekwondo and mental health.” – Kirkus Reviews

Bio:

Melanie Gibson is the author of Kicking and Screaming: a Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts. She began practicing taekwondo at age ten and returned to the martial art after taking a twenty-two-year hiatus. She has a bachelor’s degree in English, a Master of Library Science, and an MBA and has worked in the healthcare industry since 2004. Melanie lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

Social media links:

Instagram: @melaniegibsonauthor
Facebook: Melanie Gibson Author facebook.com/melaniegibsonauthor
Twitter: Melanie Gibson Author @TaekwondoLBB
Website: littleblackbelt.com


Kicking and Screaming: A Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts by Melanie Gibson

When's the best time of year to query?

When's the best time of year to send your query letters?

Last Friday, our newest member Brandy posted about being in the query trenches and she's starting a query support group.  Yay!

Are you in the query trenches and you just didn't post a comment last Friday?  Well, it's not too late to comment.  Go here.  AND, today we are looking at various opinions on the "best time to query".

Mary Kole, 2009 - Any time is fine, altho probably best to avoid (1) Thanksgiving through mid-January, and (2) August

Nathan Bransford, 2008 updated 2019 - Any time is fine, but avoid the weeks around major holidays

Barbara Poelle, 2018 - Whenever your manuscript and query letter are ready to go, just do it!  But probably best to avoid August and December

Literary Agent Undercover, 2020 - Avoid (1) Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, and (2) July and August

I'm detecting a trend here.  What say you?  Are you querying right now?  Waiting until Fall?  Let us know!

 

June 2021 Pass or Pages Entry Form!

 

We are now accepting entries for Pass Or Pages! Before you enter, be sure to check out the rules. This month's round of Pass Or Pages is for Adult Fantasy. Any entry not falling under that umbrella will be disqualified. 

The entry window closes on Friday, June 11 at 6 p.m. Eastern.

The form will not allow you to show italics or other formatting, but if your entry is chosen you'll have time to let us know of any formatting you need fixed.

Remember, with great power comes great responsibility! Best of luck!

 

Query Friday: Query Support Group

 

Hi all!

Welcome to Query Friday.

My name is Brandy and I’m in the Query Trenches.

Does that sound like the intro to a support group meeting? In a way, it is. I’m a writer of Adult and YA fantasy and the newest contributor to the Operation Awesome Blog. I live and write in sunny Florida, and when I'm not writing I enjoy binge reading, binge watching, and binge baking. I am a super fan of many things and will very happily follow you down a rabbit hole to discuss my latest obsession.

This will be my third time entering the Query Trenches- I started Tuesday June 1^st (with one rogue query that went out in May that we won’t talk about). 😊

I’ve been through this process before. I know what to expect:

 

Excitement.

Frustration.

Carpel tunnel from endlessly refreshing my inbox.

Trying to squeeze more out of “Not for me” than those three little words can give.

I also know that no one quite gets it like another person in the query trenches. And for that reason, I propose a

 

Query Support Group!!!

 

A chance to connect with folks who get it. We can celebrate together, scream as needed, work to decipher the meaning of “didn’t quite connect.”

Please comment below with where you are in the process. We can also connect on Twitter with the hash tag #QuerySupportGroup. For those who share I will publish stats on group progress (with no identifiers of course), celebrations, and motivations here at Operation Awesome.

Watch this space and make some friends!