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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 #08: THE MACHINISTS (Contemporary Fantasy)
Mentee:
Kat Korpi
Mentored by:
Annika J Cosgrove and Anna Sortino
Book Title:
THE MACHINISTS
Category:
Young Adult
Genre:
Contemporary Fantasy
Word Count:
92,000
Manuscript Content Warning(s):
Car accident, grief, mention of sibling death, toxic families

Pitch:

After her twin’s death, Cadence is determined to honor his memory by winning a place among the tech-magic prodigies of the Machinist Institute. But when she discovers her brother’s fate wasn’t an accident, she follows his killer into a world of dangerous, magical street races—where one wrong turn means she’ll be next.

The high-octane racing of FAST & FURIOUS meets the scandalous loves and lives of LA’s elite ala GOSSIP GIRL.

 

Excerpt:

The last time I kissed Silas Kimura was here, on the roof of his father’s hotel, six weeks before my twin brother died. If I could choose, I’d never come here again, but invitations to the Machinist Institute go out at midnight. And because the universe loves to mock me — Silas is my only way to get one.

The rooftop basks in the crisp night air. Last year, my brother Wes and I sat with our friends, dangling our feet in the pool and half-heartedly hiding the bottles of champagne we’d stolen from the bar.

I make my way to an empty corner as the gold and silver of early New Year’s Eve fireworks reflect in the glass partition, weaving sparks through my dark curls. My stomach tightens as I peer over the sixty-five story drop separating us from Downtown Los Angeles. I loved it here once — back when I had friends instead of regrets.

The chime of the elevator pulls my attention across the room, but anticipation turns to the bitter tang of annoyance when the doors slide open. Not Silas. With a sigh, I sync to the gold ink tattooed along my spine. It vibrates as glowing lines swell across my vision, each one peppered with apps and files, leading to the clock pulsing in the corner. 

10:55pm.

I’m running out of time.

18 responses to “PW2021 YA #08: THE MACHINISTS (Contemporary Fantasy)”

  1. Melanie Figueroa says:

    Hi Kat,

    Congrats on completing Pitch Wars! I’d love to take a look at THE MACHINISTS. You can query me directly using this link: QueryManager.com/melaniefigueroa/pitchwars

    Best,
    Melanie

  2. Amanda Rutter says:

    I would love you to submit your Pitch Wars entry to me, using my Query Manager form: QueryManager.com/Amanda_Rutter/PitchWars Please send through the query letter and the full manuscript. If more than one Azantian agent requests materials, please pick the one you feel would fit you best.

  3. Jessica Felleman says:

    Hi Kat! I’m a sucker for twin stories, Los Angeles, and new magic and the first introduction to your narrator has me intrigued, so I’d love to take a look at the first 50 pages of this book. Please send them as an attached word document file along with your full synopsis to: jessica@jenniferlyonsliteraryagency.com, and please include “Pitch Wars” in the subject line so I can make sure and read quickly. Thanks! – Jessica Felleman [she/her]

  4. 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

  5. Kelly Peterson says:

    Hi Kat!

    Your voice already seems emotional and a bit heartbreaking, and I adore it! High-octane is apparently my thing, too! I’d love to read your full manuscript, if you wouldn’t mind sending it to me. This link will lead you to my Query Manager, where you can upload your query, synopsis, and full manuscript: QueryManager.com/KellyPeterson/PitchWars

    Wishing you the best of luck, and hoping to see your manuscript! =)

    Warm Regards,
    Kelly Peterson
    Rees Literary Agency

  6. Penelope Burns says:

    I’d love to see this! If you’d like, can you send your query and full manuscript to penelope@gelfmanschneider.com with #PitchWars in the subject line? Thanks so much!

    All best,
    Penelope

  7. Hannah Andrade says:

    Hi Kat, I absolutely LOVE the sound of this! Can you please send the first 100 pages of this to me on my QueryManager (https://QueryManager.com/hannahandrade)? And don’t forget to put PitchWars in the subject line along with your project. I can’t wait to read it!

  8. Bridget Smith says:

    This sounds great, and I’d love to take a look! Please send me your query and first 50 pages at QueryManager.com/BridgetSmith/PitchWars2022. Can’t wait to read!

  9. Isabel Kaufman says:

    This is so much fun—you had me at gold spinal ink! Please send your query letter and the first 5 pages of your manuscript in the body of the email to submissions@foxliterary.com, with ATTN: ISABEL and PITCH WARS in the title of the email. So looking forward to reading more!

  10. 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

  11. Marcy Posner says:

    Hi Kat — So intrigued by these comps. Please send your full manuscript as an attachment with your query letter in the email body to marcy@foliolit.com. Make sure to put Pitch Wars in the subject line so I can find it easily! If you happen to receive requests from my other colleagues, please select the agent you are most interested in working with and send materials only to them.

  12. Michaela Whatnall says:

    This sounds like high-action fun, and I’m intrigued! I would love the opportunity to consider this project. 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!

  13. Allison Hellegers says:

    Big screen vibes when reading this one. Lovely language and sparkling pitch. You can send a query, full synopsis and 50 pages. Thanks! Good luck! Alli (at) stimolaliterarystudio (dot) com.

  14. Becca Langton says:

    Hi Kat

    I’m always on the look out for an exciting thriller and this was really intriguing. Please do query me through my email, becca@darleyanderson.com and include #Pitch Wars in the subject line. Darley Anderson is a well established global agency and I am so pleased to be building a US focussed list in a team that includes a Film and TV agent and a well experienced international rights team.
    Looking forward to hearing from you!
    Becca

  15. Laura Bradford says:

    Oooh, this sounds very cool! I’d love to see more! Please send me the full manuscript and synopsis (as attachments) at laura@bradfordlit.com and put Pitch Wars in your subject line.

    Thank you!
    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***

  16. Lee OBrien says:

    The pitch for this sounds awesome–I would love a chance to read!

    Submission guidelines:
    You can send the query and full MS to 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.

  17. Paige Wheeler says:

    Thanks for sharing your work at Pitch Wars. I’d love to read more! Please send the first 100 pages and synopsis to me at paige@cmalit.com. Please use “Requested Material from Pitch Wars” in your subject heading. Thanks so much.

  18. Alexandra Weiss says:

    Hi Kat! I’m so intrigued by your pitch and really enjoyed the excerpt. I would love to request the first 50 pages. If you’d like to send it my way, please upload it here: QueryManager.com/AlexandraWeiss/PitchWars2021​.

    Alexandra Weiss (she/her)
    Azantian Literary Agency