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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 Adult #23: GRIGORI BLUES (Paranormal Mystery, LGBTQ)
Mentee:
Astra Crompton
Mentored by:
Sarah Remy
Book Title:
GRIGORI BLUES
Category:
Adult
Genre:
Paranormal Mystery, LGBTQ
Word Count:
88,300
Manuscript Content Warning(s):
Murder, Violence, Gore, Alcoholism, Mentions of Domestic Abuse

Pitch:

Juniper Fenn—broke paranormal investigator—agrees to banish a vengeful ghost in return for a desperately needed paycheck. But a simple banishment isn’t going to lay this case to rest. As the body count rises, she’ll have to rely on her loyal, shapeshifting partner and a skeptical detective to help her keep Vancouver—and her family—safe.

DRESDEN FILES x UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR

 

Excerpt:

Once again, my job has me up to my ass in trash. As the only member of Grigori Consulting physically capable of sifting through the dumpster’s contents, I’m forced to grin and bear it. This is what I get, dowsing for clients at crime scenes.

‘Juniper, be careful,’ Bloomsbury warns from four feet above me. My partner—and best friend—can do all manner of supernatural things, but taking physical form isn’t one of them. Each grigori like me—a communer with the dead, seeker of truths, and crosser of the Veil—is bound to an orobas guardian. Sounds glamorous, but here I am pawing through garbage in search of my client’s memento.

“How come I have to do all the heavy lifting while you just hang around?” I tease.

‘Hah, hilarious.’ Bloomsbury’s crackling voice takes on a sardonic edge as ze floats, a glittering silver disc wreathed in ethereal flames. When I was younger, ze used to try to mimic human forms but, on this side of the Veil, it tires zem out pretty quickly.

I dig deeper, still not sensing my client’s energy. As I push another torn plastic bag aside, an unidentifiable substance leaves a vermilion smear across the thigh of my jeans. Gross.

“Blooms!” My voice echoes against the low concrete ceiling of the carpark. I brush at the mess with my gloved hand, but I’m just making it worse. “Are you sure this is where Leah’s aura signature stops?”

7 responses to “PW2021 Adult #23: GRIGORI BLUES (Paranormal Mystery, LGBTQ)”

  1. Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong says:

    Hi Astra,

    You have no idea how much I love paranormal mysteries with ghosts! I don’t know if you’ve read Victoria Laurie’s GHOST HUNTER series, but she got me hooked and I’ve been dying to find something similar.

    Please check me out at http://www.thepurcellagency.com and, if you think we’d make a good match, please send me the full manuscript as a word doc attachment with a simple blurb pasted above the first chapter so I can remember what I’m reading when I dig in.

    Please send to QueryCathieH@gmail.com.

    SUBJECT: #PitchWars Request / “TITLE OF YOUR MANUSCRIPT” / Your Name / Word Count

    That’s all I need!

    Best wishes with #PitchWars! This manuscript looks so fun and I can’t imagine it’ll be out here long, so enjoy the ride!

    Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong, Literary Agent
    The Purcell Agency
    http://www.thepurcellagency.com

  2. Ellen Goff says:

    Hi there Astra!

    This one really stood out to me. I love anything at all comped to TJ Klune. Would you send me your full manuscript as a word doc to ellen@hgliterary.com ?

    Can’t wait to read more!
    warmly,
    Ellen

  3. Saritza Hernandez says:

    This sounds quite intriguing and I’m digging the Dresden Files feel to the sample. I’d love to see the full. If you think we could be a good fit, please upload the manuscript for my review via my QueryManager form here: QueryManager.com/Saritza/PitchWars

    I look forward to the read!

    ~Saritza

  4. Roseanne Wells says:

    Hi Astra,

    Great first line! I’d love to keep reading. Please submit your query letter, full manuscript, and synopsis to querymanager.com/roseannewells/pitchrequest, and I look forward to reading!

    Best,

    Roseanne

  5. Michaela Whatnall says:

    I have been on the look-out for a project that feels like a queer Dresden Files! This sounds totally intriguing, and I’d love the chance to consider. Please send a query and the first 50 pages as a Word document to me via Query Manager at this link: QueryManager.com/michaelawhatnall/PitchWars2021 If you have any trouble using the link, you’re welcome to email me instead at mwhatnall@dystel.com.

    If you’ve received a request from more than one Dystel, Goderich & Bourret agent, please only submit to the agent here that you feel would be the best fit, and let that agent know about any other requests you received from our agency. Thank you!

  6. 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 – Adult” 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

  7. Lee OBrien says:

    Hi Astra,

    I would love to read this! Could you send the query and full MS to lee.queries@irenegoodman.com, with Pitch Wars in the subject line?

    If more than one IGLA agent requests your work, please only send to one of us at a time—if they pass, you’re welcome to reach out to another!

    Best,
    Lee