I am ecstatic to announce that I’ve been asked to join Michael Anthony and Michelle Hauck as the third host of Query Kombat this year! (They didn’t even make me change my name to Mlaura.)
Query Kombat holds a special place in my heart not only because it’s the first contest where I got agent requests (not the first contest I entered, or the first contest where I was chosen…) but because it’s also the contest that gave me invaluable feedback I needed to change my query and first page, and those changes are what ultimately lead to me getting an offer.
Query Kombat is also where I saw the benefits of working on contests from the other side. I got to know some of the other judges, and the hosts. I saw the benefits of critiquing other people’s queries, and how that improved my own. A few months after I signed with my agent, I was lucky enough to be allowed to read slush for PitchSlam and Nightmare on Query Street. The next year, I was asked to host PitchSlam, act as a judge for Query Kombat, read slush for NestPitch, and mentor in Sun vs. Snow, NewAgent, and PitchWars. I’m hopelessly addicted, so of course, when I was asked to help out with QueryKombat as a host rather than a judge, I jumped at the opportunity. We’ve got a great contest planned for you this year!
I write commercial women’s fiction, but I also read thrillers, romance and YA contemporary. My favorite books include all things by Tamora Pierce, Harry Potter, and the Artemis Fowl series, so I’m not terribly picky when it comes to genre. I recently completed an internship with an agent, which gave me a lot of insight into the things agents are looking for. If you’re looking for more information on me, head on over to my bio page.
And now, I’m happy to announce the winners of our query critique giveaway! Please email your query to the same address where you sent your entries. Thanks to everyone who participated!
MICHELE MARSHALL
M.L. VILLAX
ROBERT JORDAN
Feel free to tweet your excitement about the contest using the #QueryKombat hashtag! All three of us will be there, partying!