Tag Archives | Sci Fi

CLOSED: Critique of 5 Pages + Query by Author Jodi Meadows

The first of several Jodi-Crits starts now! Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate and the upcoming Asunder, also lover of ferrets and other fluffy things like yarn, is offering to critique a sub package–query and five pages for one winner. This can be from a fantasy or scifi adult or YA/MG manuscript. As a former agent intern, Jodi’s got a lot of fabulous experience knowing what can help your first pages stand out to agents and editors. So get a-cracking, folks!

You can bid for this critique until May 29th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The highest bid at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, May 29th, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

—

About Jodi:

Jodi Meadows lives and writes in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, with her husband, a Kippy*, and an alarming number of ferrets. She is a confessed book addict, and has wanted to be a writer ever since she decided against becoming an astronaut.

*A Kippy is a cat.

Posted on May 28, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 24 }

CLOSED: Critique of a Query by Author Michael R Underwood

Congrats to the winner, Mia!
But everyone should be getting an email from me soon.

Spot the d20?

Michael R. Underwood, author of the very upcoming Geekomancy, is offering to help refine another query for any science fiction/fantasy MS (adult or YA/MG). This is Mike’s last and final critique. He’s helped a lot of folks to great effect so far, so donate for clean water and get that query spic and span folks. (Is that actually how you spell that, anyone?) If you don’t win, you’ll still receive a query (or 1 page synopsis) critique from Kat! Huzzah!

This raffle is open for entries until 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, May 28th, 2012.

Read about Mike’s critiquerly aspects in his Not an Editor interview.

  1. Go to http://mycharitywater.org/critsforwater2012
  2. Click on the “Donate” button and donate $1.
  3. Then in the comments section, please write in a way to contact you. You can use your email, twitter, or website. Anything’s cool, as long as you check it often :D For example:
  4. When you donate, mycharitywater will ask you to become a member (if you’re not already). That does NOT mean the donation didn’t go through! If in doubt, check your email/bank account before re-donating.
  5. I will use random.org to pick the raffle winners on May 28th
  6. Anyone who does not win the raffle will receive a consolation Kat-Crit of a query or synopsis.

This is a little complicated, so please, if you have any questions, use the comment section below! And thank you so much!
—

About Michael

Mike started telling stories when he learned to talk and hasn’t seen a reason to stop yet. He grew up playing video games, CCGs, RPGs, and many other delightful games with acronyms. As a teenager, the friendly local game store was his home away from home, and the site of his apprenticeship in geekdom.

Mike earned a B.A. in Creative Mythology and in East Asian Studies from Indiana University, and a M.A. in Folklore Studies from the University of Oregon. Basically, destined to be a novelist.

Properly equipped with lots of ways to develop novel ideas, Mike set about accumulating a ridiculous job history, including bear builder, barista, bookseller, webmaster, web design instructor, and TV/DVD reviewer. He now works as a publisher’s representative, studies renaissance martial arts and dances Argentine Tango on the side.

Mike is a graduate of the 2007 Clarion West Writers Workshop.

Posted on May 25, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 1 }

CLOSED: Critique of 10 pages by Junior Agent Jordy Albert

Congrats to the winner, Tom!

To start off the CLA awesome triad, Super Junior Agent Jordy Albert of the Corvisiero Literary Agency is offering to critique the first 10 pages from an historical or paranormal romance, science fiction, fantasy, or horror manuscript. So get to pledging, and cross your fingers that random.org loves you!

You can pledge for this critique until May 19th at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

  1. Comment on this blog post saying how much you pledge.
  2. By pledging, you promise to donate the pledged amount only if you win
  3. Pledges must be at least $10.
  4. If you would like to pledge more, go for it! Every additional five dollars will give you another entry. (Ex: pledging $20, enough to give one person in a developing nation clean, safe water, gets you three entries.)
  5. You do NOT need to pledge more than previous commenters.
  6. Once pledging time ends, I’ll choose a winner using random.org.
  7. Again: please do NOT donate unless I email you saying you’re the winner.

This is a little complicated, so if you have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me.

—

About Jordy:

Jordy Albert is a Jr. Literary Agent in training. She holds a B.A. in English from Pennsylvania State University, and a M.A. from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She has worked with Marisa Corvisiero during her time at the L. Perkins Agency for over a year. Jordy also works as a freelance editor, and of course enjoys reading in her spare time. She is a fan of the SyFy, History and Discovery Channels, enjoys studying languages (French/Japanese), and is teaching herself how to knit. Her favorite genres include historical/paranormal romance, sci-fi/fantasy, dystopian, and horror.

Posted on May 17, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 6 }

CLOSED: Critique of 10,000 Words plus Query by Author Michael R. Underwood

Spot the d20?

Michael R. Underwood, author of the very upcoming Geekomancy (read an excerpt over at Pocket Star), is at it again, this time with an opportunity for a critique of 10,000 words and query of a science fiction/fantasy MS (adult or YA/MG). Mike has excellent insight and great experience, so get to bidding, folks. This is a great chance to get your partial into shape.

This auction is open for entries until 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, May 15th, 2012.

Read about Mike’s critiquerly awesome in his Not an Editor interview.

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The highest bid at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, May 15th, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

—

About Michael

Mike started telling stories when he learned to talk and hasn’t seen a reason to stop yet. He grew up playing video games, CCGs, RPGs, and many other delightful games with acronyms. As a teenager, the friendly local game store was his home away from home, and the site of his apprenticeship in geekdom.

Mike earned a B.A. in Creative Mythology and in East Asian Studies from Indiana University, and a M.A. in Folklore Studies from the University of Oregon. Basically, destined to be a novelist.

Properly equipped with lots of ways to develop novel ideas, Mike set about accumulating a ridiculous job history, including bear builder, barista, bookseller, webmaster, web design instructor, and TV/DVD reviewer. He now works as a publisher’s representative, studies renaissance martial arts and dances Argentine Tango on the side.

Mike is a graduate of the 2007 Clarion West Writers Workshop.

Posted on May 14, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 15 }

CLOSED: Critique of a Query by Author Michael R Underwood

Big thanks to everyone who donated!


Congrats to the winner as chosen by random.org: Juli!

Spot the d20?

Michael R. Underwood, author of the very upcoming Geekomancy, is offering to help refine the query for any science fiction/fantasy MS (adult or YA/MG). This is an excellent opportunity–queries are often the most difficult to write for speculative fiction. So enter and get rocking, folks. If you don’t win, you’ll still receive a query (or 1 page synopsis) critique from Kat! Huzzah!

This raffle is open for entries until 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, May 6th, 2012.

Read about Mike’s critiquerly aspects in his Not an Editor interview.

  1. Go to http://mycharitywater.org/critsforwater2012
  2. Click on the “Donate” button and donate $1.
  3. Then in the comments section, please write in a way to contact you. You can use your email, twitter, or website. Anything’s cool, as long as you check it often :D For example:
  4. When you donate, mycharitywater will ask you to become a member (if you’re not already). That does NOT mean the donation didn’t go through! If in doubt, check your email/bank account before re-donating.
  5. I will use random.org to pick the raffle winners on May 7th
  6. Anyone who does not win the raffle will receive a consolation Kat-Crit of a query or synopsis.

This is a little complicated, so please, if you have any questions, use the comment section below! And thank you so much!
—

About Michael

Mike started telling stories when he learned to talk and hasn’t seen a reason to stop yet. He grew up playing video games, CCGs, RPGs, and many other delightful games with acronyms. As a teenager, the friendly local game store was his home away from home, and the site of his apprenticeship in geekdom.

Mike earned a B.A. in Creative Mythology and in East Asian Studies from Indiana University, and a M.A. in Folklore Studies from the University of Oregon. Basically, destined to be a novelist.

Properly equipped with lots of ways to develop novel ideas, Mike set about accumulating a ridiculous job history, including bear builder, barista, bookseller, webmaster, web design instructor, and TV/DVD reviewer. He now works as a publisher’s representative, studies renaissance martial arts and dances Argentine Tango on the side.

Mike is a graduate of the 2007 Clarion West Writers Workshop.

Posted on May 4, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 0 }

CLOSED: Critique of a Full MS by Agent Suzie Townsend

Super Agent at Nancy Coffey Lit and overall wonderful lady Suzie Townsend is offering a critique of a full manuscript. It can be an historical or paranormal romance, fantasy (urban, scifi, steampunk, epic), and any subgenre of YA or MG. After the read and critique, Suzie will also provide a 30-minute phone call to discuss it. (And PS: Yes, you read that right. She’ll read a full.)

For more information from Suzie about critiquing, please read her interview at Not an Editor!

This auction is open for bidding until 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, April 24th, 2012.

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The highest bidder by 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, April 24th, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

—

About Suzie:

After teaching high school English for several years, Suzie Townsend started publishing at FinePrint Literary Management in January 2009 and worked her way up from intern to agent. Now an agent at Nancy Coffey Literary, she represents adult and children’s fiction. She is actively looking to build her list. She’s an active member of AAR, RWA, and SCBWI.

She’s interested in strong characters and voice driven stories: she’s particularly keen on strong female protagonists, complex plot lines with underlying political, moral, or philosophical issues, and stories which break out of the typical tropes of their genre. Some of her favorite novels (that she doesn’t represent) are Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff, Jellicoe Road and Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta, The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, Jeaniene Frost’s Vampire Huntress series, Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels series, and Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series.

She drinks too much diet orange soda, has a Starbucks problem (those soy chai lattes are addictive), and lives in Brooklyn with two dogs who know that chewing on shoes is okay but chewing on books is not.

Posted on April 23, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 33 }

CLOSED: Critique of 30 pages by Agent Sara Megibow

Super Agent at the Nelson Literary Agency and my wonderful Agent of Fluffiness Sara Megibow is offering a critique of up to 30 pages. It can be from the first pages of a fantasy, romance, science fiction, YA, or MG manuscript only! Trust me when I say Sara has a strong and spot-on editorial eye, is very industry-savvy, and crazy funny and kind. She’s amazing. You don’t want to miss this.

Plus!

Sara’s just added a 30 minute, follow-up phone call for the winner. Huzzah!

For more of an idea of Sara’s editorial process, read her interview over at Not an Editor.

This auction is open for bidding until 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, April 17th, 2012.

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The last comment at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, April 17th, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

—

About Sara:

Sara has been with the Nelson Literary Agency since early 2006. Her first responsibilities included reading the query letters, sample pages and full manuscripts that were submitted for representation. In early 2009, she was promoted to Associate Literary Agent and is now actively accepting submissions of her own. From sexy romance to epic fantasy, Sara has loved reading since picking up her first copy of The Hobbit. Sara has a B.A. in Women’s Studies and a B.A. in American History from Northwestern University. She lives in sunny Boulder with her beat-boxing husband, adorable son and two fuzzy cats.

Posted on April 16, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 28 }

CLOSED: Critique of 20 pages by agent Lucienne Diver

Freaky monsters, Apollo, and guns. What's not to love?

Super Agent at the Knight Agency and author of YA like Fangtastic and urban fantasy like the upcoming Bad Blood, Lucienne Diver, is offering a critique of up to 20 pages (which may include a synopsis, if you wish). It can be from the first pages of a fantasy, romance, science fiction, suspense, or erotica manuscript. This is a unique opportunity to get a perspective from both an author and an agent, so go and bid, minions!

Check Mary Kaley’s critiquerly interview of Ms. Diver over at Not an Editor for an idea of her editing process!

This auction is open for bidding until 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, April 12th, 2012.

  1. Comment on THIS BLOG POST with your bid. Bidding starts at US$1.
  2. You may, of course, bid more than once.
  3. The last comment at 11:59pm, Eastern Daylight Time, April 12th, 2012, will win.
  4. Once the auction closes, if you are the highest bidder, I will contact you with further instructions.
  5. Please DO NOT donate, send the file, etc., unless I email you! SERIOUSLY.
  6. And…go!

—

Ms. Diver

About Lucienne:

Lucienne Diver joined The Knight Agency in 2008, after spending fifteen years at New York City’s prestigious Spectrum Literary Agency. With her sharp eye and gift for spotting original new voices, Lucienne is one of the most well-respected agents in the industry. A lifelong book addict, she graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Potsdam with dual majors in English/writing and anthropology. She thus came well-equipped for her work as an agent. She is also the author of the popular Vamped series of young adult novels (think Clueless meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Bad Blood, the first novel in her Latter-Day Olympians series of contemporary fantasy, set in LA and featuring a heroine who can, quite literally, stop men in their tracks.

Over the course of her dynamic career she has sold over seven hundred titles to every major publisher, and has built a client list of more than forty authors spanning the commercial fiction genres, primarily in the areas of fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, suspense and erotica. Her authors have been honored with the RITA, National Readers’ Choice Award, the Golden Heart, and the Romantic Times Reader’s Choice, and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. A publishing veteran, Lucienne has superb industry knowledge, numerous editor relationships, and a keen understanding of the foreign rights market. She is a member of the Association of Authors Representatives, RWA, MWA and SFWA.

Posted on April 11, 2012 in 2012 Crits, Finished · Comments { 15 }