Hello friendlies! Today is
Join up and hop around with us, learning about all the amazing project people are working on right now. This one is mine (*Note, all images/blurbs are in the works, and I'm open to suggestions for how to improve them.):
WIP Title: SOULLESS, book 2 to MOONLESS (Release date to be announced shortly)
Word Count: 33K, goal: 90K
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
How long have you been working on it?: ...Do I count when I jotted down the first notes and page one, or when I actually started working on it? This one's been sitting in a folder and added to periodically for about 5 years, but is under serious construction as of March.
Elevator Pitch: Alexia saved the man she loves, but lost her sister to red-eyed wraiths. Discovering the power to reverse time, she faces a terrible choice: keep her happily ever after, or save her sister and countless others from the Soulless.
Brief Synopsis:
Alexia only wants to be with the man she loves, but at the cost of hundreds of lives?
Are you looking for a Critique Partner?: Always. Anyone who has written AT LEAST 2 complete novels, has 5 to 10+ years writing experience, and reads all the time, shoot me a first chapter. I'll send you one back and we'll decide if our critique styles/likes are compatible. I tend to be very positive, pushing toward the very best writing, but incredibly invasive. If you're seeking someone to pat you on the back and tell you this is the best story since baked bread, I am NOT the partner for you. If, however, you are looking to grow as a writer, and seek a partner who is constantly reading industry books and applying their advice to her own (and critique partners) writing, we may just be a match. I read all genre's, but am not particularly drawn to hard core sci-fi, detective stories, contemporary, memoir, or erotica. Anything with a paranormal, fantasy, or horror twist? I'm so in.
Are you looking for a Beta Reader?: I am always looking for beta readers. Always. To become one, sign up for my newsletter and you'll receive the call as soon as I'm ready. (As well as other cheesy/exciting opportunities.)
That's it for today--now tell me where I can improve my pitch, eh? (It's so brand spanking new!) And what are you working on?
Be sure to check out some of these awesome blogs:
WIP Title: SOULLESS, book 2 to MOONLESS (Release date to be announced shortly)
Word Count: 33K, goal: 90K
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
How long have you been working on it?: ...Do I count when I jotted down the first notes and page one, or when I actually started working on it? This one's been sitting in a folder and added to periodically for about 5 years, but is under serious construction as of March.
Elevator Pitch: Alexia saved the man she loves, but lost her sister to red-eyed wraiths. Discovering the power to reverse time, she faces a terrible choice: keep her happily ever after, or save her sister and countless others from the Soulless.
Brief Synopsis:
Alexia only wants to be with the man she loves, but at the cost of hundreds of lives?
Alexia saved Kiren, but lost her sister to red-eyed wraiths known as the Soulless. She has lived with that truth, supporting Kiren while he protects the
rest of the world from these predators. When she discovers her ability to reverse
time, Alexia faces a terrible choice: keep her happily ever after and ensure
the future safety of her kind, or say
goodbye forever and leave to prevent the Soulless from existing.
She may make things better. She may make them worse. The only certainty is, she will never be able to come back.
Are you looking for a Critique Partner?: Always. Anyone who has written AT LEAST 2 complete novels, has 5 to 10+ years writing experience, and reads all the time, shoot me a first chapter. I'll send you one back and we'll decide if our critique styles/likes are compatible. I tend to be very positive, pushing toward the very best writing, but incredibly invasive. If you're seeking someone to pat you on the back and tell you this is the best story since baked bread, I am NOT the partner for you. If, however, you are looking to grow as a writer, and seek a partner who is constantly reading industry books and applying their advice to her own (and critique partners) writing, we may just be a match. I read all genre's, but am not particularly drawn to hard core sci-fi, detective stories, contemporary, memoir, or erotica. Anything with a paranormal, fantasy, or horror twist? I'm so in.
Are you looking for a Beta Reader?: I am always looking for beta readers. Always. To become one, sign up for my newsletter and you'll receive the call as soon as I'm ready. (As well as other cheesy/exciting opportunities.)
That's it for today--now tell me where I can improve my pitch, eh? (It's so brand spanking new!) And what are you working on?
Be sure to check out some of these awesome blogs:
Whew! Alexia's choice is nail-biting!
ReplyDeleteI'm not great with pitches/synopses, so take this for what it's worth. :) I wonder if you want to make it clearer in the pitch whether Alexia CHOSE to save Kiren over her sister? The way it reads now doesn't hit that as hard - the loss of her sister sounds more passive. I might not like Alexia initially but I would so want to know why and how it happened. :)
Excellent thoughts. Thanks for the feedback, Madeline. You are awesome sauce!
DeleteLove this. The choice Alexia is faced with--awesome. Even though it's not released yet, I added Moonless to my tbr list in gr. Your synop totally drew me in and makes me want to read book one. So glad you shared this with us! (:
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks, Elise. You totally made my day.
DeleteI think this synopsis is fantastic. I always have such a hard time writing them, and this is so good. I'm with Elise...I want to add this book to my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks. Moonless is on Goodreads, but none of the info is up, for now. Not until I have the release date. Thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteTough choices for Alexia. Like the effects of the cover. The clock lends some urgency.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a mock up. Not sure that's what we'll go with, but it's not a terrible concept.
DeleteNice to meet you, Crystal! I am your 400th follower!!! *throws balloons and confetti* I LOVE the concept of your book. What a tough and dynamic conflict you've drawn for us here. Sounds like Alexia has quite the choice ahead of her. How many books are you planning to write in this series? Ditto what others have said; I want to read this!
ReplyDeleteYay!!! *jumps up and down pumping arms* Julie, here's your wedge of moon-certified cheese. Thank you for joining.
DeleteThis is a 3 to 5 book series, dependent on the demand from readers--with a number of other series/works in the wings. (Including a couple shorts on side characters.) It's going to be a beautiful thing. =D
oooohhhh, we miiiiight make good crit partners. I'm swamped right now, but i maaaay be reaching out to you in the near future. Also, i lurve your cover
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you, swamped! No rush, and no worries. All good things come to those who wait, eh? ;)
DeleteLove that cover! And your CP ad. I can always use another brilliant CP. Altho, we're at different phases of our story--mine being complete, but we could work something out. Wanna do a first chapter exchange to test the waters?? Email me. pakazo77@gmail.com :D
ReplyDeleteFirst chapter away! ;)
DeleteHistorical and supernatural - my ideal book! Sounds really interesting, good luck :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
Thanks, Suzanne. Here's hoping it will be a success, eh? =)
DeleteLove the premise, though it's not my genre at all. I am, however, stepping out of my comfort zone since I've met SO many authors in the last three years. I read a lesbian vampire/werewolf/alien romance murder mystery last month...couldn't put it down, even though I was cringing at their feeding methods...
ReplyDeleteI love a story with hard choices, drastic consequences, and as a sci-fan (and writer) I do so enjoy a good time travel story. Best of luck with this - sounds like the
perfect follow-up to your previous novel.
Tina @ Life is Good
I know what you mean about genre jumping. I read Dean Koontz (Suspense/Thriller) and even tried Catherine Ryan Hyde (Pay it Forward) the other day, although I really do prefer something more fantastical. =) I read/write some sci-fi, and as long as it doesn't get too tech-laden/bizarre multi-cultural, I do enjoy it. It's definitely good to branch out, eh? ;)
DeleteLiz, you make me nervous. I had a friend who used that word regularly--and we have yet to decipher the meaning. Interesting as in, "You have my interest", or interesting as in, "Wow, what have you been smoking?" Ahem. You are free to consider that a rhetorical question. *shifty eyes*
ReplyDeleteI really like it.. Good Luck!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Malia. Maybe I should go finish it, eh?
DeleteOooh it sounds like she has a tough choice in front of her :) I love it when the stakes are high!
ReplyDeleteIt's the only way to have them, eh?
DeleteYou can tell you have a great pitch for a second book when it makes you want to read the first one. And the mocked up cover is gorgeous!! Thank you for taking part today!!:)
ReplyDelete*palm to forehead* It's brand new pitch, as in, whipped out of nowhere yesterday. I guess it does the job though, eh?
DeleteThanks for hosting this awesome blogfest. I'm enjoying it.
Hi Crystal,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds intriguing, but I think you could link the thoughts in the various paragraphs a bit more clearly to hook readers. As it is, there are a lot of fabulous questions but they seem to lead in various directions. I would definitely open this book though, if I saw it on the shelf.
Thanks, Martina--and yes, the blurb is very rough. (As in I wrote it yesterday in about 3 minutes.)
DeleteOmigosh LOVE that cover--and the snyopsis. This sounds like something I would definitely read. Good work, and good luck!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad you like them.
DeleteOoh, that's a tough one. How can anyone make a choice like that? Poor Alexia.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on both synopsis and pitch. Is saving Kiren what caused the wraiths to appear?
I wish I could tell you that, but I can't. However, book one will be available in a couple months. =)
DeleteGreat pitch. Even without the pitch, the title an the cover are amazing and make me want to read it. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteYay! That makes me happy. Here, have a warm fuzzy. =)
DeleteTime travel? Yeah, you got me on that alone. This really sounds great and I hope it all works out for you. ;)
ReplyDeleteTime travel is kind of a hot ticket right now, isn't it?
DeleteOh, what a choice to have to make. Seems somewhat of paradox to me though, if she goes back to wipe them out, she wouldn't have a reason to go back ... unless, of course, in going back, she causes the events to happen in the first place (I love it when that happens).
ReplyDeleteI'd read it just to find out if that happens.
You can't write time travel without KNOWING exactly how the past will change the future, eh? ;)
DeleteI love the premise to your novel-and your pitch has me wanting to know more, so nice job there. Thanks for visiting my blog and best of luck on your WIP!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin. Same to you.
DeleteWow -- classic conflict. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, right? Unless the two in the bush can save your sister's life. Then all bets are off, right? Even if it means losing the man you love and maybe changing a whole lot things for the worse.
ReplyDeleteGreat premise!
It's definitely a doosey. =)
DeleteDecisions decisions...what is a young woman to do? Great conflict and I LOVE the title!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks with all your help on the pitch, Sharon. You rock!
DeleteThat sounds like a terrible choice to make and a great story conflict!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping. *fingers crossed* Of course, I still have 60K to verify that hope.
DeleteOooh, almost fairy tale-like :) I love your elevator pitch, and synopsis. Both are strong, and either would sell me on the story. Awesome :)
ReplyDelete....dhole
Thanks, Donna. Your feedback is much appreciated. =)
DeleteGreat conflict! I am terrible at pitches and blurbs - I always want to tell too much then end up leaving it skeletal.
ReplyDeleteI really think you nailed hooking all of us on the story. I want to read the first and definitely want to see what she chooses in this book. Fantastic job! I really love your honest demeanor as well btw - it's refreshing and most definitely endearing. So glad tohave found your site.
Aw, thanks Courtney. I think that's the best part of these blogfests, meeting new peeps and making new friends. =)
DeleteCool that you already have the cover ready to go!
ReplyDeleteMaybe not the finalized cover, but something pretty similar. ;)
DeleteTalk about hard choices! Great premise, Crystal.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Zan--and thanks for following. =)
DeleteI am highly intrigued by this. And I love that cover Crystal! I hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou too, and thanks, eh? ;)
DeleteGreat cover! Time manipulation? Goes with the clock image...
ReplyDeleteThe single word title captures the imagination too!
Writer In Transit
And why not, eh?
DeleteThis sounds great! It's always interesting when time travel is involved. One of my CPs has moved into computer game writing so I kind of have a vacancy. I'd love to know what you made of the WIP I'm editing (not the one I posted about, though hopefully you could also take a look at it down the line). It's a YA dystopian. If you'd like to swap chapters here's my email: mcwilfo(at)gmail(dot)com :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE dystopian, and will be contacting you soon. =)
DeleteLove your pitch; it sounds like an intriguing book. :) Historical fantasy sounds like an neat genre!!
ReplyDeleteI hear it's an up and coming genre. We'll see, eh?
DeleteReally interested from your pitch. From Moonless to Soulless - I ponder what more you can take away from your main character, and what choices she will make in your WIP. Really glad I came by.
ReplyDeleteHi Hunter! One of my betas informed me I'm very mean to my characters. I hope she's right. =)
DeleteYour story sounds gripping and really interesting! I'd read it for sure.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Trisha.
DeleteNow that is a diabolical choice she's face with! I'll definitely sign up to beta read this!
ReplyDeleteYay! It's going to be a few months, but I'm looking forward to your response on it, Margo. =)
DeleteThis sounds amazing! I signed up for your newsletter just to keep posted!
ReplyDeleteYay! *happy dance*
DeleteI remember seeing this pitch somewhere. Funny how we get an idea and jot some notes. My YA I hope to query soon had a similar life. I think the first notes were written in 2008 or 2009. But I finally opened up the document and slowly wrote a rough draft from 2011-2012.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
And I'm sure it's all the better for having matured during that time. =)
DeleteOoh, what a difficult choice! Sounds like an intriguing story.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping. ;)
DeleteReading your blog often reminds me of my literary aspirations. Oh time, how I need more of it. Sigh. And confidence. :) I admire you for going out and ceasing your dreams.
ReplyDeleteAnd I admire you for sticking to your guns and being the best mommy ever!
Delete