Big breath! After Pitch Wars, I'm more focused that ever on finding an agent. Not any agent, one who jumps into my YA story CROSS OVER with both feet and doesn't surface until the end. The contest was a learning experience, probably just as much in risk-taking as in writing a short, dynamite query and perfecting my synopsis. The Pitch Wars contest had over 1500 entries. Only 45 YA mentees were chosen. Not me. But two of the mentors I had selected wrote me personal emails praising my story and writing. One gave a suggestion to add to the first pages to heighten suspense. Very kind of Jaye Robin Brown (NO PLACE TO FALL, a realistic contemporary story about a teen with great potential who makes some seriously bad choices.) I'm rooting for Jaye and her mentee, Allie Schellong, as well as several other yet-to-debut authors and their mentors. More than anything else, Pitch Wars fosters writers helping writers.
For now, I am researching agents and submitting queries to the best. My enthusiasm is far from waning. CROSS OVER has all the elements and will find its place. I know this book will benefit from an agent's and later, an editor's careful editing. It will change, tighten. CROSS OVER has already been enhanced by the expert eye of writing coach and author Joyce Sweeney. The Pitch Wars contest was a valuable Pit Stop. We're ready to get back on the track!
