O hai! I’m offering critiques on your first 250 words for #PitchWars. These are the rules (in so much as I have rules):
1. Send me an email (annemariewrites at gmail dot com) with your first 250 words pasted in the body. No query. No synopsis. And “Chapter One” doesn’t count against your 250. If this stops in the middle of a sentence, finish the sentence.
2. Add “#PitchWars250” in the subject line + your novel’s title.
3. Please let me know your age range (MG, YA, NA, or Adult) and your genre (contemporary, thriller, historical, etc.).
4. Leave a comment on this post with your title, in case my spam folder eats your email. (Has happened once already. Ah, technology!)
What I’m offering:
If I were an agent, I’ll let you know if I would request more pages + why or why not. I’ll give you line edits. I’m not going to be mean, but I will be honest and professional. This is just my opinion. No one but you can write the story of your heart! I’m aiming for a one-day turnaround. If you have follow-up questions, don’t hesitate to ask. 😀 Oh, and if you make changes, I’m 100% happy to look over the sample again.
I’m a voracious reader, a YA novel and short story writer, and an editor with a small press. I love seeing how books evolve. Even if I pass on your first 250, it’s just one opinion. I hope you’ll continue working on your craft and entering contests. And if I say “yes”, the same thing goes.
To get a feel for my reading tastes, here’s a list of some of my fav reads (alphabetical by author):
The Curse Workers trilogy by Holly Black
How the Irish Saved Civilization: the Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
Grendel by John Gardner
The Wandering Unicorn by Manuel Mujica Láinez (trans. by Mary Fitton)
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Stiff: the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (trans. by Lucia Graves)
You don’t need to follow me on Twitter, or my blog, or anything like that. If you want to signal boost this offer, that would be lovely but not required. Sound good?
❤
Edit to add: This offer is open until 8/15, so that you’ll have a couple days to incorporate changes, or at least have a chance to mull over my comments.
Jerry Quinn
Aug 09, 2014 @ 20:05:24
You’re awesome! Sent. Merci beacoup.
Joy Dawn Johnson
Aug 09, 2014 @ 20:15:25
Hi Anne, I just sent you my first 250. Feel free to make it bleed 🙂
colleenhalverson45
Aug 09, 2014 @ 20:50:32
HI Anne! My book is The Children of the Fianna. Love, love, love How the Irish Saved Civilization. Thank you so much for your time!
Rhonda
Aug 09, 2014 @ 20:53:20
Thank you! I sent the first 250 words for THE CODE BREAKERS.
Sara Jo Cluff
Aug 09, 2014 @ 21:32:40
Thanks for doing this! I just sent you the first 250 words for my novel Awkward Anonymous.
Sherry Howard
Aug 09, 2014 @ 21:35:14
This is a generous offer! I’ll send tomorrow. Coach Hart’s Fumble.
Margarita Montimore
Aug 09, 2014 @ 22:06:03
I just emailed you my 250 for MISSED CONNECTION 1999. So kind of you to offer your expertise, thank you!
Dr. Tiffany Tajiri (@TiffanyTajiri)
Aug 09, 2014 @ 23:09:46
Thank you for this opportunity! Emailed you the first 250 of THE HATE VIDEOS.
Brittany
Aug 10, 2014 @ 00:02:31
Just sent in my email for MOMENTUM. Thanks so much for doing this!
sarahappifanie
Aug 10, 2014 @ 11:49:33
Sent, thanks! LEANING TOWARDS OPTIMISM
emilygmoorewriter
Aug 10, 2014 @ 12:57:56
Thanks for the opportunity for some feedback! ROWDY DAYS OF DOM SANDERS.
Jeri
Aug 10, 2014 @ 19:56:50
Thanks for the help! A TIME OF MAGIC is on its way!
T. L. Sumner
Aug 10, 2014 @ 20:01:46
I just hit SEND for BETWEEN NEVER AND ALWAYS. Thanks for taking the time to critique our work. 🙂
Gina Smith
Aug 10, 2014 @ 20:14:34
How generous! Sending you BOXED SET. Thanks!
Anne ♥ Marie
Aug 10, 2014 @ 20:21:42
I checked my inbox before leaving to get dinner. Didn’t see this title yet. Checked my spam too. I’ll keep an eye out in case it’s delayed.
It was delayed! Got it. 🙂
bmuelle2
Aug 10, 2014 @ 22:49:35
Sent, thanks! FAKE IT.
Tlotlo Tsamaase (@Bel29W)
Aug 11, 2014 @ 05:15:47
Very kind of you! I just sent mine: HEARTWIRED. Thanks
Jenna
Aug 11, 2014 @ 16:51:20
Thank you so much for this!! I just sent you Blue Tide. 🙂
tangynt
Aug 11, 2014 @ 18:31:08
Totally sending. Incoming Children of Canaan. Thank you for such an offer.
Shaya
Aug 12, 2014 @ 04:46:05
Just sent http://www.perfectjodi.com. Appreciate your generosity a lot 🙂
Shaya
Aug 12, 2014 @ 04:47:07
Oh, God, sorry it created a link. The title of the book is www . perfectjodi . com