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Pitch Wars Showcase

Please note: These are the entries for the Pitch Wars season beginning in 2021 and continuing through 2022. Please note that our Agent Showcase ends at 9:00 p.m. ET on Monday, February 14, 2022. Agents will not be able to leave comments requesting material after that time.
PW2020 YA #10: BOTTLE BLONDE (Contemporary Rom-Com/Trans #OwnVoices)
Mentee:
Elle Grenier
Mentored by:
Sonora Reyes
Book Title:
BOTTLE BLONDE
Category:
2020 Entries
Genre:
Contemporary Rom-Com/Trans #OwnVoices
Word Count:
78,000
Manuscript Content Warning(s):
transphobia, use of a slur, dysphoria

Pitch:

Amelia Harris has a reputation for being dramatic, and she plans to live up to it by coming out as trans by auditioning for the role of Elle in her high school's production of Legally Blonde. Even if it means auditioning in front of her crush, Travis, who's a shoo-in for the role of her love interest.

 

Excerpt:

1. BRING IT ON

“This might be the most chaotic idea you’ve ever had, Amelia—and that’s a high bar.”

I sit on the floor of Lana’s bedroom, legs tucked to my side as I paint her nails the same dusty rose she’s finished painting mine. Our bimonthly manicures are never her favorite part of the time we hang out together, but Lana’s a good sport. She complains as little as possible while I apply the top coat, rolling her eyes at the precision with which I work. I know she doesn’t care what her hands look like, but I never do anything but my best, even if her nails are choppy and short from constant biting. This isn’t about the end result—it’s about the artistry.

“You’re ignoring me,” she accuses. And I am, but I won’t get away with it for long. Once she gets an idea in mind, Lana doesn’t let go. She’s probably right, but that doesn’t change the fact that auditioning for Elle is my mistake to make. Besides, I can’t think of any way to come out that doesn’t feel too scary to follow through with. I may as well kill two birds with one stone. “This is a bad idea.”

“And you’re twitching,” I retort. “How can I do a good job if you’re always moving?”

Lana shakes her head. “For Heaven’s sake, Amelia, I don’t even like getting my nails done.That’s you and Tori’s thing, not mine.”

24 responses to “PW2020 YA #10: BOTTLE BLONDE (Contemporary Rom-Com/Trans #OwnVoices)”

  1. Mary C. Moore says:

    Would love to read more! Please use this link to send: QueryManager.com/Mary_C_Moore_KCA/PitchWars

  2. Emily Forney says:

    Hi Elle! Okay, so this story’s premise is amazing and you absolutely sold me on dramatic coming outs on an actual stage for one of the best texts of all time. If you’re willing, I would love to take a look. You can send your full manuscript to my email, eforney@bookendsliterary.com. I really hope to read it!

  3. Tara Gilbert says:

    I’d love to see the full! Please use this link to send in the materials. QueryManager.com/TaraGilbert/PitchEvent

  4. Shannon Snow says:

    Elle,

    Your story definitely caught my eye. I would love to take a look. Please send the complete manuscript, synopsis and a short bio to shannon@cmalit.com. Please put “Requested Materials-Pitch Wars” in the subject line so it will be sure to stand out in my inbox.

    If more than one person requests materials from my agency (Creative Media Agency, Inc., or CMA) just pick one of us. If it doesn’t work for that person, we will share it around.

    Thank you and I look forward to seeing your story very much! Best of success with Pitch Wars!!

    Shannon

  5. ELIZABETH BENNETT says:

    More! I want to read more! I’d love to see the first 30 pages of your manuscript. Please email it to elizabeth@transatlanticagency.com with Pitch Wars in the subject line. If you hear from other agents at Transatlantic, we are asking that you only submit to one of us.
    Thanks so much,
    Elizabeth Bennett

  6. Jim McCarthy says:

    I’d love to take a look. Kindly send the manuscript along to me at jmccarthy at Dystel dot com. A Word attachment is most preferable if possible. If more than one DGB agent requests, please feel free to send to the agent of your choice and just let us know who else at the agency requested. Thanks so much, and happy Pitch Wars!

  7. Erica Bauman says:

    Hi Elle,

    This hits me right in my musical theater loving heart, and I’d love to read the full manuscript! Could you send to ebauman@aevitascreative.com, along with your query letter (and put Pitch Wars somewhere in the subject line)? Looking forward to reading!

    All best,
    Erica

  8. Hi, Elle! This sounds like a fantastic story. I’d love to read more! Can you send me the full and a synopsis (2-4 pages)? Please use Times New Roman, size 12, black, double-spaced text, 1” margins all around, and ½” paragraph indents. Please go here: QueryManager.com/QueryLynnetteNovak/Pitch_Wars_2020_Requested_Only to submit to me. Attach the manuscript and synopsis as two separate Word documents (docx). Thanks.

    If more than one agent from The Seymour Agency likes your entry, please send requested material to the agent you feel will be the best fit. #OneAgentAtATime
    Looking forward to reading more.
    Best,
    Lynnette

  9. Alexandra Levick says:

    Hi Elle,

    I have heard so many good things from Soni about this project!! And I can already see why!! I’d love to take a closer look! If I seem like a good fit for your body of work, please send your query letter and the first 75 pages of your manuscript (attached as a word document) to me at alevick(@)writershouse(.)com. I would appreciate it if you could note in the subject line that your message is a Pitch Wars request.

    More information about me is available here: https://www.alexandralevick.com/
    More information about Writers House is available here: http://www.writershouse.com/home

    Additionally, if more than one agent from Writers House requests your work, please note you may only submit to one of us at any given time.

    Thanks very much!
    Allie

    | Alexandra Levick | She/Her | Writers House

  10. Alex Rice says:

    Elle, would love to see more! Please send me your query and first 50 pages to alex.rice@caa.com. Please let me know if you are sending to more than one agent at CAA. All my best, Alex

  11. Em Lysaght says:

    Hi Elle, I would love to see more material for this project! If you would like to submit to me, please send me your query letter, synopsis, and first 3 chapters/50 pages (whichever is longer) at the following link: QueryManager.com/emlysaght/Pitchwars2020

  12. Alyssa Eisner Henkin says:

    Interested in seeing the full manuscript.

    Thanks,
    Alyssa Henkin
    ahenkin@birchpathliterary.com

  13. Jessica Errera says:

    Dear Elle (the perfect name for the author of this tale!)–I have every lyric to this musical memorized by heart, and have caught my dad singing it more than once; saw it on Broadway 3x, watched in on MTV a million more, and was invested in the reality tv show (so glad Bailey won!). All of which to say, you had me at the pitch. I’d love to see the full ms, and a synopsis if you have, to jerrera(at)janerotrosen(dot)com at your convenience. And please include Pitch Wars in the subject line so I know to dig in ASAP!

  14. Kaitlyn Johnson says:

    This is SO what I’m looking for, and it’s gonna leave me with Legally Blonde stuck in my head all day. I would love to read this full! =] If you find us a fit, please send your query, synopsis, and full manuscript to QueryManager.com/KaitlynJohnson/Contests

    Best,
    Kaitlyn Johnson
    Belcastro Literary Agency

  15. Michaela Whatnall says:

    This sounds amazing, and I would love to read more! Please send your query and the first 50 pages as a Word doc attachment to mwhatnall@dystel.com. I’m looking forward to reading!

    Please note that if more than one agent from Dystel, Goderich & Bourret has requested your work, we ask that you choose which of us you’d like to submit to first, and let that agent know who else from our agency made a request. Thanks very much!

  16. Amy Giuffrida says:

    I want to know so much more about this story. I’d LOVE to see the full manuscript. Please submit using this link: QueryManager.com/AmyGiuffrida/PitchWars

    I wish you the best of luck!
    Amy

  17. Laurel Symonds says:

    I’m really intrigued by the musical theater angle here and would love to read more! Please send the first 25 pages to symondsqueries@thebentagency.com and include “Pitch Wars” in the subject line. If more than one agent from The Bent Agency requests, you’re invited to send to all of us. Just let us know—thanks!

  18. Kristin Nelson says:

    Loved that movie. Such a cute and original spin. Here is my Pitch Wars QM link if you would like to send my way.

    https://querymanager.com/query/1350/PW2021

    Kristin

  19. Rebecca Eskildsen says:

    Hi! I would love to see this story in my inbox. If you would like to submit your manuscript to me, please send a query letter and the first 50 pages to reskildsen@writershouse.com. Please include “Pitch Wars” and your title in the subject line, and please only submit to one agent at Writers House at a time. Thank you!

  20. Ameerah Holliday says:

    I’d really like to keep reading! Feel free to send me your query letter, bio and the first 50 pages to Ameerah@serendipitylit.com

  21. Cortney Radocaj says:

    Hi Elle,

    I love your pitch and sample!! Could you please submit your query, synopsis, and first 50 pages to my Query Manager?

    QueryMe.Online/CortneyRadocaj/PitchContests

    Please mention this is a PitchWars request at the beginning of the query, or in the referral section of the form. If another Belcastro agent requests, please make sure to only submit to one of us (we’re good at sharing!).

    I look forward to seeing your pages!!

    Best,

    Cortney Radocaj
    Literary Agent
    Belcastro Agency
    http://www.belcastroagency.com
    @CortneyRadocaj

  22. Lee OBrien says:

    I would love to read this!

    To query me, you can send the query and full MS to lee.queries@irenegoodman.com with the words “Pitch Wars” in the subject line. If another agent at Irene Goodman requests your manuscript, please submit to just one agent at a time. If they pass, you are welcome to resubmit to another.

  23. Zabé Ellor says:

    I love this voice, and the pitch has me laughing out loud–what a great book idea!

    Please could you send the query and first fifty pages to me, as an attachment, at zrellor.books@gmail.com? Please paste your query on the first page of your attached sample pages, and also in the body of the email, and include PITCH WARS in the subject line. If more than one JDLA agent requests, feel free to first submit to the one you think is the best fit.

  24. Christa Heschke says:

    Trans rep and Legally Blonde?!! I’d love to read this! Please send the full manuscript, synopsis and query to chquery@mcintoshandotis.com with Pitch Wars request and the title of the manuscript in the subject line. –Christa Heschke, McIntosh & Otis