Pitch Wars 2020 Wish List

About Me

I am an Adult Mentor for Pitch Wars 2020 focused in fantasy with a healthy splash of science fiction. I’m also accepting works that fall in to the New Adult category.

My debut novel, The Conductors, arrives March 2, 2021. It’s an historical fantasy set in 1870s Philadelphia following a pair of former underground railroad conductors solving murder and mayhem with magic.

When I’m not writing, you’ll likely find me playing video games or working my way through a pile of library books. I have a life long interest in astronomy and astrology, that may or may not have started from Sailor Moon.

Why Me?

Think of me less of a mentor and more of a guide that will show you the path to unlock the story you set out to write. I will point out places of concerns, prompt you to expand in certain places, and overall get you to think deeper about your book. I can be a sounding board, the person you ask questions, and the person who can reach out to if you feel overwhelmed.

I’ll communicate mostly through email but I promise to respond promptly whenever you have questions or concerns. And if we need to talk via phone, I’ll be happy to talk. Given the state of the world when things change unexpectedly for me or you, know that you can speak freely to me no matter the issue at hand.

What I’m Looking For…

Overall

I’m looking for Adult stories and I will also consider any that fall into New Adult territory.

I would love to see a story with one (or a combination) of the following :

Established & committed romantic relationships (no break ups! no cheating!)
Friendships as the core relationship story
Ride or die crews ready to take on the world
Strong family (or found family) dynamics

Sub Categories

Historical Fantasy, Steampunk (or any of the “punks”), and Alternative History

I am particularly keen on history that highlights people whose accomplishments seldom make mainstream history. I’d love to see STEM topics, particularly astrology, botany, zoology, physics, either on its own or with a fantastical twist it. I definitely want to see the fantastical element woven into the DNA of the story.

Epic or High Fantasy

Give me your witches, your scholars of ancient history, your knights, and your humble tailors. Show me your dragons, griffins, or talking carnivorous plants. Tell me about larger than life characters, quests to save the world, or juicy political drama.

Paranormal, Contemporary (aka Urban), or Lighthearted Fantasy

I’m looking for something fun, that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Give me your quiet stories with stakes that aren’t about the world ending but saving the local bodega from getting set afire by dragons. Superhero novels fall into this area.

Space Opera, “Soft” Science Fiction, and Science Fiction with a touch of romance

I want to explore the universe with a motley crew, see alien planets, and maybe not necessarily get involved in a galactic war. I don’t mind romance thrown into the mix, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming.

Retellings

Give me your best spin on a well-known classic from myth and fairy tales, to Shakespeare, to Jane Austen and more. Doesn’t matter how you do it, all I care about is celebrating the best parts and breathing new life into familiar tales!

I’m also interested in…

General Mystery or Cozy Mystery

Contemporary Romance

My top interests are seeing diverse characters taking on the tropes of the genre – from there it’s pretty much anything goes!

A few things that don’t excite me:

Faeries / Unseelie Court
Stories told between alternative time periods (Alix is an painter living in 19th century Paris meanwhile in the present Beatriz unearths one of Alix’s lost paintings and gets embroiled in mystery that Alix’s pov helps illuminate)

Questions? Email me at: nicole.g.pitchwars@gmail.com

Happy writing!

Pitch Wars 2020 Adult Mentors’ Wish Lists

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