Trick or Treat With Agents 2013: Announcing the Agents & Their Wishlists!

I'd like to introduce the fabulous agents that will be participating in our upcoming Halloween contest,Trick or Treat with Agents. Our agents will post comments under their costumed disguises and they can give as many treats, aka manuscript requests, as they wish. Their identities will be revealed on October 31st. For now, here's what they are hoping to see in your pitches, which will help Brenda, Kim, and I determine which pitches we include in the agent round!

Velma Dinkley- Our Scooby Doo detective is on the case for Adult Romance with heat, strong characters, and strong story development. (Not seeking Historic Romance) In New Adult, Velma would like to see edgy ideas, stories that evoke strong emotions, and manuscripts that are current and fresh. Velma's taste in Young Adult leans towards memorable characters in powerful relationships with the kind of angst and heart-fluttering moments YA readers crave.

The Tardis- Our Dr. Who inspired agent interests include talented, hard-working new authors with a fresh, unique voice and hook. Her specialty is commercial fiction, with an emphasis in children’s literature (from picture book-teen), romance (contemporary, paranormal and historical), upmarket women’s fiction and select nonfiction. Specific likes include historical, multi-cultural, paranormal, sci-fi/fantasy, gritty, thrilling and darker contemporary novels, middle grade with heart, and short, quirky picture books.  (note no PB accepted in this contest) The Tardis is always drawn to an open and positive attitude in an author, good grammar, and fantastical, engaging and sexy plots.

Ms. Harlequin-this black and white masked agent represents PB to YA. (note no PB accepted in this contest) She's disinclined toward edgy, issue-driven YA. She would love to see YA thrillers and fast-paced plots that keep you guessing; strong literary writing; memorable and unforgettable characters. She loves big lush settings, epic plot lines, exotic locations, and storylines that take her by surprise. Ms. Harlequin loves strong voice-driven projects and beautiful, literary writing. She want stories that matter, that make you think, that lodge inside your head and heart and linger beyond the final page.

Princess Leia- Our Star Wars Princess of Alederan won't take no for an answer! She wants fiction, especially science fiction and fantasy, young adult fiction, women's fiction, cozy mysteries, and romance.

Annie Oakley- Annie has her eye on a bulls-eye! This American sharpshooter is looking for strong literary fiction that emphasizes craft and style equally, and doesn't sacrifice plot and character for beautiful sentences; young adult of all genres; very selective middle grade that connects me to a strong main character; science-fiction and fantasy; and smart detective novels (more Sherlock Holmes than cozy mysteries).

Rose from Dr. Who- Our British television star is looking for Middle Grade: contemporary, fantasy, action/adventure, or historical. YA: sci-fi, dystopian/post-apocalyptic, contemporary, historical, BUT it must have a strong romantic element. New Adult Contemporary Romance and just plain Romance! Rose would jump in the Tardis to find a YA or NA romance set during WWII (and/or the 1920s) with a time travel element.


Are you excited yet? 

 Hit me up with questions in the Comments section below! And if you need a reason why you should enter THIS contest, check the How I Got My Agent tab at the top of the blog! Submissions open on October 22nd. I'll answer questions here until the 21st. Hope to see you all in my inbox!!

Please note--no picture books, memoirs, or erotica will be accepted in this contest.