Pitch Wars

So Here’s What Happened

- Barb Leave a comment

Last year at this time I had just been through the Pitch Wars Showcase and was beginning a journey querying my first middle-grade book. Then the pandemic hit full force. Everything seemed to come to a screeching halt. Like many of you, my focus shifted. There was so much uncertainty and worry.

I decided to stop querying my book and focus on work and family. In the interim, I sought and received editorial and agent feedback. With that feedback, I took the book back into deep revisions. It has finally re-emerged! Shiny new words, deeper POV, and even a new title.

Between last March and today, here are just a few highlights:

  • Joined a new critique group (virtually) with members from my regional SCBWI
  • Attended several webinars for writers via SCBWI (a great way to connect with others during the pandemic)
  • Completely rewrote my Pitch Wars book
  • Started writing an adult cozy mystery (my first!)
  • Outlined and began writing a new middle-grade fairy-tale retelling (I’m so excited about this one!)
  • Had the privilege to read several ARCs as well as beta reading some books that I can’t wait for you all to be able to read as well

During it all, I continued to write as a freelancer, although by the end of 2020 I had significantly scaled back the amount of work I contracted. I much prefer fiction writing and am all in on this publishing journey.

#PitchWarsParty2019

- Barb Leave a comment

It’s here!

Today the 2019 Pitch Wars Mentee Class is kicking off our showcase party! We’ve all been working hard for three months making our manuscripts shine and now the mentors have submitted our official Agent Showcase entries, so it’s time to celebrate! The showcase entries go live on the Pitch Wars website on February 5. From the official website:

February 5-10, 2020: Agent Showcase

  • February 5: Adult entries are live on the Pitch Wars site
  • February 6: MG entries are live on the Pitch Wars site
  • February 7: YA entries are live on the Pitch Wars site

Today’s #PitchWarsParty2019 prompt is to introduce myself and my manuscript.

Hi, I’m Barb—MG writer, freelancer, avid reader, lover of the 3 C’s: chocolate, coffee, & cats. MURPH MEETS A DEMON is my showcase entry, a fast-paced contemporary fantasy about a 7th grader who learns she’s part of a demon-hunting family.

If you’re following me on social media (and you are following me?) I’ll be posting through Feb. 10 and you can get to know a bit more about my middle-grade book MURPH MEETS A DEMON.

And, I’m Back.

- Barb Leave a comment

So actually I wasn’t really gone, just away from the blog because of my freelance work and because I was doing a THING.

What thing?

Very glad you asked.

I made the monumental decision (cue fluttery heartbeat) to enter Pitch Wars for the first time. If you’ve never heard of Pitch Wars it’s a THING, a huge thing. An amazing thing. With amazing people and truly one of the most supportive communities of writers.

Direct from Brenda Drake’s site:

“Is it another contest? Oh, no, it’s so much better. Pitch Wars is a contest where published/agented authors, editors, or industry interns choose one writer each, read their entire manuscript, and offer suggestions to shine it up for agents. The mentors also critique the writer’s pitch to get it ready for the agent round. Writers send applications (query and first chapter of manuscript) to four mentors who best fit their work. The mentors then read all their applications and choose the one writer they want to mentor for the next two months.”

Click here to read the full scoop and be sure to peep around Brenda’s site to learn even more cool stuff about Pitch Wars, Pitch Madness, and more.

So if you’re a writer with an unpublished manuscript, this may be just the THING for you, especially if you’re at the stage where you’re thinking about querying.

And in case you were wondering, I entered my YA fantasy, LIES & MAGIC. Fingers and other digits crossed in hopes of being chosen by a mentor, but, seriously, I learned so much from the process and have connected with so many amazing people. It’s a win just for all that!

Keep your eyes out for more book reviews as I get back on my normal schedule. I’m currently reading A.L. Tait’s second book in her “The Mapmaker Chronicles.” That review will be up soon.

Happy Monday! Keep reading and writing!