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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.
PW2021 YA #10: CRUEL IS THE LIGHT (Romantic Fantasy)
Mentee:
Sophie Bianca Clark
Mentored by:
Emily Thiede and Lauren Blackwood
Book Title:
CRUEL IS THE LIGHT
Category:
Young Adult
Genre:
Romantic Fantasy
Word Count:
90000
Manuscript Content Warning(s):
violence, death, blood

Pitch:

Exorcist Selene's determined to prove herself by protecting the Vatican against a powerful demon. Jules, a charming deserter on the run, is perfect bait.

It's loathe at first sight, but when she blackmails him into a fake engagement to smuggle him past security, sparks—and knives—fly. Now, Jules’ true identity threatens the Vatican and her heart.

Every holy war demands a sacrifice: Her world... or his life?

SERPENT & DOVE x WITHIN THESE WICKED WALLS

 

Excerpt:

God created man and demon.

Demon crucified God.

Man abandoned God.

And one more tenet that only the Vatican knew:

Man harnessed demon’s unholy magic.

 

Selene Alleva ghosted her blade over the faint blue veins of her inner arm, lingering over the symbol carved into her bones. Devour.

She hesitated.

If she’d done one thing differently, she wouldn’t be in this predicament—encased by the scent of rot and mold, poised to bleed herself for power.

Just one thing.

She shivered, but it wasn’t the threat of snow aching through her eye teeth and into the depths of her skull.

Demons.

They tasted like violence. Like a split lip. Iron and putrid.

Raising a hand, she cocked her head.

“Captain Alleva?”

Selene silenced her subordinate with a look. Ambrose was too weak to feel the tainted magic, and she had no patience for his dearth of natural talent. Arching a brow, she stared at the shimmer of rune-carved metal on his hands. Knuckle dusters? Honestly…

“We’re close. Move.” She led her team down a shallow flight of stairs, chasing the cold pull to a crumbling stucco building at the end of the street. It looked abandoned—but wasn’t.

Two. No, three. Maybe more. An infestation this size wasn’t unheard of in Rome, but this close to the Vatican?

She’d reward them with steel for their trouble.

9 responses to “PW2021 YA #10: CRUEL IS THE LIGHT (Romantic Fantasy)”

  1. Lauren Spieller says:

    Congratulations on completing Pitch Wars! I’d love to read more. Please send your query + full manuscript + synopsis to Lauren@triadaus.com, and put “PW Request” in the subject line. I look forward to hearing from you! ~Lauren Spieller

  2. Tara Gonzalez says:

    Hi Sophie! You had me at exorcist. I’d love to read this! If you’re interested in submitting to me, I’d love for you to send me your query and the full manuscript to tara@emliterary.com. Just mention Pitch Wars in the subject. Thanks so much! Tara Gonzalez (Agent at Erin Murphy Literary Agency)

  3. Claire Friedman says:

    Hi Sophie! This sounds right up my alley — I’d love to consider! If you think we’d be a good fit, please send the full ms to claire@inkwellmanagement.com

  4. Jordy Albert says:

    I would love to read more! Please follow submission guidelines here https://QueryManager.com/JordyAlbert

  5. Peter Knapp says:

    This sounds great! I would love to read more. Can you please send the full manuscript attached as a Word document to queries@parkfine.com with “Pete Knapp – Pitch Wars – YA” in the subject of your email? Please include the query letter at the start of your Word document, and if available please also send a short synopsis (but no worries if not readily available). Thanks! I look forward to reading.

    Pete Knapp / Park & Fine Literary and Media

  6. Sarah N. Fisk says:

    I need to know Jules’ true identity. Please submit the query, synopsis and first three chapters here: https://querymanager.com/query/sarahnfisk/PitchWars

    If multiple agents at Tobias request your materials, please submit to the one you think would be the best fit.

  7. Laura Bradford says:

    This sounds wonderful! I love that the Vatican is the setting! Please send me the full manuscript and synopsis (as attachments) at laura@bradfordlit.com and put Pitch Wars in your subject line.

    Can’t wait!
    Laura Bradford

    ***If you receive a request from more than one agent at Bradford Literary Agency, you are welcome to send to all agents who made the request, but just let us know when you send the material***

  8. Chelsea Eberly says:

    Hi Sophie, This is a fantastic opening, and I would be thrilled to read your full manuscript! If you think we’d be a good fit, use the following link to submit the full Word doc:

    https://querymanager.com/query/ChelseaEberly/PitchWars22

    If another Greenhouse Literary agent also requests your work, please only send to one of us–whomever you feel is the right fit for your work.

    I hope to read more!

    All best,
    Chelsea Eberly

  9. Chelsea Hensley says:

    Hi Sophie! This sounds great, I’d love to read more! If you’re interested, you can send the full manuscript, your query, and a complete synopsis to my Query Manager at this link: QueryManager.com/Chelseahensley/PitchWars2021