Pitch:
ARYA STARK x TWELFTH NIGHT
As her kingdom’s foremost spy, Princess Eline Stoneheart has worn many faces but rarely her own. When her brother is murdered, the identity she must steal to seek revenge is a new one—her enemy’s betrothed. For Eline, impersonation has always been easy, but the deeper she sinks into her new role, the more she questions how much of what she’s feeling is simply an act and how far she’s willing to go to avenge her brother.
Excerpt:
Some people fight with swords and knives, but my faces have always been my greatest weapon.
I trace the line of my jaw with my thumb—the shape of it still mine for a few more minutes—as the bitter morning breeze sends a shiver running down my spine. It’s impossible to escape the acrid scent of smoke and sewage, even when crouched on a rooftop high above the street.
My body is restless. My magic, even more so. Soon, the morning bells will toll and I’ll shift into yet another guise. The fourth—no, fifth—I’ve worn since arriving in our southern capital. All spies are masters of deception, but I have one advantage most don’t—a myriad of faces. I borrow them from strangers, steal them from criminals and traitors.
Traitors like the wine merchant.
In the market square below me, he prepares to open his stall for likely the last time, unaware that I’m tracking his every movement. With my help, he’ll face the gallows at dusk.
The familiar pang of guilt shocks my gut, but I ignore it. He isn’t the first man I’ve condemned to death, and he won’t be the last. Though it’s not an easy task, it’s the price of keeping my brother safe. A price I’m willing to pay.
Hi Juliet,
I’m always drawn to a Twelfth Night comp! I’d love to read more if you wish to send the manuscript my way. Please send the full at this link: QueryManager.com/evascalzo/PitchWars2020
Cheers,
Eva
Speilburg Literary
I’d love to see the first three chapters! Please use this link to send in the materials. QueryManager.com/TaraGilbert/PitchEvent
Hi Juliet,
Congratulations on completing Pitch Wars! You must be thrilled.
In all honesty, you had me at Arya Stark. I love female assassins, but the added bonus that she can steal faces is such a fresh angle. I also am eager to see how the romantic tension builds. I’d love to request the full manuscript to continue reading!
If you’d like to share it, please send the query in the body of an email, with the full manuscript and synopsis attached as a Word doc.
The subject of the email should be “Pitch Wars Request: HER INFINITE FACES for Root Literary” sent to submissions@rootliterary.com.
Although not all of Root Literary is participating in Pitch Wars, please feel free to query whoever feels like the best fit! We’re happy to coordinate internally.
All the best,
Samantha
Oooh, I’m intrigued! And your writing is so poignant and cutting at the same time, Juliet.
If you’re interested in sending me your manuscript, please send the first 50 pages in Word document format to kaitlyn@redfoxliterary.com and include “Pitch Wars” somewhere in the subject line of your email.
Hi Juliet,
I’d love to see this! If you’re interested, can you send your query and full manuscript to penelope@gelfmanschneider.com, with PitchWars in the subject line? Thank you!
All best,
Penelope
Wow! I love the twists and turns in this pitch, and the worldbuilding pulled me right in.
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.
This sounds awesome–I would love to see the rest!
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.
Hi Juliet! You’re welcome to send your full manuscript and author bio to christine@leshneagency.com. Please include “Pitch Wars” and your book title in the subject line. Thanks, Christine