This year, I narrowed my wish list for PitchWars pretty significantly to help target submissions more toward my interests. I expected this would lower the total number of entries that I received – and it did, but not by much. At the end of the day, I wound up with more than 70 entries that are exactly my cup of tea (I also wound up with several that were not on my wish list, but let’s not talk about those).
You all made the decision extremely difficult. There were easily 20 more entries with compelling premises and well-written first chapters that just weren’t what I was looking to mentor right now. I’d have loved to have requested more from everyone, but it didn’t seem fair to ask for more when I already had my heart set on something else. What I’ll connect with is very hard to predict. I found myself desperately loving two very different manuscripts, and there were three or four more I happily would’ve taken on if I had unlimited mentoring time.
I’m doing my best to send feedback to everyone whose full manuscripts I requested. But I unfortunately just do not have time to send detailed critiques to everyone who entered this year. I wish I did, but life has a way of overtaking things, and it’s not fair to you if I promise feedback to everyone and then take four months (or longer) to send it out.
So….. I’m doing a FEEDBACK GIVEAWAY. Enter from now through September 1. I’ll pull THREE winners on September 2 at 8:00 EST. I thought about leaving the giveaway open for another week, but this is the only way to ensure that I’ll be able to send the winners their feedback before PitchSlam starts on September 8.
Winners will receive, in order:
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A first chapter and query critique.
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First chapter critique only. (If you win this and would prefer a query critique, please let me know.)
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Query critique only.
***You must have submitted your manuscript to me to enter***
I’d love to open the giveaway up to everyone, but really I’m looking to do something nice for those who listed me as one of their 4 or 6 entries. I’ll be happily giving away feedback on first pages and pitches once PitchSlam opens. For anyone who would like to book a critique instead, I’m offering full critiques of the first 50 pages (with line edits and big picture issues) for $100, or $100 off reader reports. Use code #PitchWars when you request a quote.
Thanks for offering this! (My novel: Improbable Girl.)
I appreciate you doing this! I've reworked the POV in the first chapter of Beyond Any Experience.
CONGRATULATIONS to the three winners of my feedback giveaway. Critiques will be sent throughout next week. If you've made revisions and you want me to read a new draft, please let me know on Twitter today.
First Chapter and Query Critique: Abigail Fine
First Chapter Critique: Erik Cruz
Query Critique: Meg Griswold
Congratulations, and thanks to everyone who entered!