If you are here checking out potential #PitchWars mentors, then - CONGRATS! - you are in the right place.
If you are here because the title of this post is an Avett Brothers song and you're looking for info about them - SORRY!- you are out of luck. I just love the song and thought it made for a great intro title.
If you are here and have no idea what I'm talking about at all, but have not yet clicked away because you find this whole #Pitchwars thing intriguing - well then read on my friends!
So here's the deal with #Pitchwars. The brilliant amazing possibly super-powered Brenda Drake organizes this awesome contest that connects aspiring writers with mentors (like me!) and then we work together scrubbing and shining the aspiring author's manuscript until it is so stinking sparkly that agents will fight for the right to call it their own. For more info and to be part of the contest YOU MUST go to Brenda Drake's blog. Sound good?
Okay, so now is the part where I tell you category I'm coaching, which is...
DRUMROLL PLEASE...
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Yeah, I read YA. I also write YA.
Things I look for in YA novels I read: Strong often unlikeable protagonists, complicated antagonists, kick-ass girls, romance, depth and darkness, fun, having my heart ripped out, laugh-out-loud moments, mystery, thrills, paranormal elements, realistic elements, cute puppies, and weirdness.
Your book does not need to have all of those elements. Actually, it definitely shouldn't because my head would explode and I don't think that's something any of us want to see happen.
So basically I am open to everything and I never really know what exactly will grab me. I am definitely NOT turned off by language, sex, or violence - in fact, when its a necessary part of the story, I believe its important to include these elements. But your character does not have to drop f-bombs for me to love them.
If you want a good idea of what I like to read check out my Goodreads. I try to keep this updated every few months with what I've recently read. Just glancing over the list some standouts from the past year in YA reading include: COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN, NOT A DROP TO DRINK, WINGER, and THE 5TH WAVE, and I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN.
So that's what I'm looking for. But this is about more than me falling in love, you need to find a mentor that fits into what you need as well. To that end, let me tell you a bit about myself and my critique style.
You could say I have a strong arts backgrounds. Or you could say I have two college degrees of questionable worth. I prefer the former. Anyway, from undergrad I have a BFA in theatre and then, after several years of graduate school, I gained an MFA in film and television production.
I am represented by Alexandra Machinist of ICM. My young adult novel, ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE debuted in 2013 with HarperTeen. This past June my second novel, (DON'T YOU) FORGET ABOUT ME, was released also from HarperTeen. I am currently at work on my third novel, again with HarperTeen. DOWN WITH THE SHINE (that's the title for now, at least) is due to be released in early 2016.
And here are a few places you can find me online:
Twitter: @katekaryusquinn (I'll be tweeting with the #PitchWars hashtag, so make sure you're following me!)
Tumblr: katekaryusquinn
So what kind of feedback can you expect from me?
...Actually let me start with what you won't get from me.
I am not big on correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other things of that nature. That's not to say that these things are not important - they are. I am just not the person to make those elements shine.
I don't expect you to write like me. Or to write your story the way that I'd write it. Instead, I want to help you write the story in your voice and style, and tell it the way you need it to be told. I will, however, occasionally throw different ideas out. In my screenwriting class ages and ages ago (see that MFA does come in handy!) my one teacher used to call the process of throwing different ideas out spitballing. Sometimes you use the spitballed idea, but mostly it just helps get your own ideas flowing.
I will never tell you that your story sucks. Or you suck. That doesn't mean I'll only have positive things to say, ooohhhh trust me I will point out what is not working for me. But I also always make a point of talking about the things that are working oh so very well. Personally, I find the odd "YAY!!" "HEE HEE HEE!" or "LOVE LOVE LOVE!" comments can make an otherwise tough critique go down a lot easier.
Finally, do not expect only a line or two of notes for feedback. As you may have guessed from this blog post, I can be a little long winded at times. And yes, sometimes I do go on and on and on and... Okay, I'll stop now. The point is, I tend it give pretty long critiques with lots and lots and lots of thoughts.
You can also check out the critiques I did on Brenda Drake's blog in July for an idea of how I work.
Okay, that's almost it from me except for one more thing... I am currently running a giveaway on Goodreads for a hardcover copy of my book (DON'T YOU) FORGET ABOUT ME. If you're interested, you can enter below:
Goodreads Book Giveaway
(Don't You) Forget About Me
by Kate Karyus Quinn
Giveaway ends August 19, 2014.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win
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