JENNI L. WALSH
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Pitch Wars 2017

7/18/2017

 
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A Little About Me

This'll be my third year mentoring, and I'm so excited to get this party started. I'm a mama of two and a book mama of one, with three on the way. I'm published with Macmillan, under their Tor/Forge imprint. My novel, Becoming Bonnie, is the coming-of-age origin story of how wholesome Bonnelyn Parker becomes half of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde duo during the 1920s. Next year, the companion novel Side by Side will be hitting shelves, telling the duo's crime spree story. I'll also be beginning a narrative nonfiction series, called She Dared, with Scholastic for middle graders. As a mentor, I believe I can bring some experience to the table as far as working with editors and publishers, along with agents. I am repped by Stacey Glick of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

Also, if you want to get an idea of how I became agented and received my offer of publication, I wrote about it over on Writer's Digest (as you'll see, I'm a real believer in Pitch Wars). I'd also love for you to get an idea of my writing style. If you hop on over to Amazon and click "Look Inside" on the cover, you can preview the first chapter or so.

Pictureflickr.com/photos/iamthebestartist/423592588
What I'm Looking For

This year for PItch Wars, I'm narrowing my wish list considerably. I'm looking for... adult historical fiction. That's it. If you've got it, I want to see it.

For me,  any era will do. I'm down with various subgenres: women's fiction, mystery, thriller, fantasy, literary. Male or female protagonists. Past or present. First or third POV. What will push your submission to the top of my consideration are these two factors:

1. An intriguing concept
Books that I get grabby hands over have a high-level concept (i.e. premises that are easily explained) that I simply have no choice but to see how the author brought it to life. Here's a few examples of books that recently had me itching to read.

In Girl In Disguise, the book features the first female Pinkerton detective who foils a plan to assassinate Abraham Lincoln (in addition to other undercover roles). 

In The Orphan's Tale, a young girl becomes a circus performer to hide her identity during WWII.

In Salt to the Sea, the novel is inspired by a little-known, but true tragedy.

​I encourage you to show me in your pitch that your book is high-concept. 
2. Great technical writing
I don't need your manuscript to be perfect, but I'd like to know you put in the time to prepare for Pitch Wars. That shows me you're ready to work. Your solid writing skills will also give me confidence that you'll be able to expertly implement feedback. My friend Google has tons of checklists/tips for ways to tighten and improve technical writing, so I'd recommend giving those a gander before the submission window opens.

Basically, dangle your killer concept and your awesome writing skills in my face, and, if chosen as my mentee, together we can work through any plot-related and character-related improvements.

What questions do ya have for me? Don't be shy, just give me a shout @jennilwalsh or leave me a comment!


Disclaimer: I know this is vague, but my interests in historical fiction are vast. I literally choose books by covers (which you obviously don't have yet) and a great premise. What keeps me turning the page is great writing (hence my two points above).

Also, please consider donating while applying. I won't see a penny of it (nor should I; I'm contributing my time/energy to an awesome cause: your career). Likewise, Brenda and her admins won't profit from your donation. Your hard-earned money will go toward offsetting the high financial and time-related costs of running this amazing contest.


To check out the other Adult/NA mentors--because you get to submit to four of us (plus two additional mentors if you donate)--keep hopping:
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Thumb-Linky widget will appear right here! This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site. If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.
Mariko link
7/19/2017 11:21:26 pm

Hi Jenni,

My MS is set in an analogue of ancient Java, and I'd originally pegged it as Historical Fantasy (in the vein of Guy Gavriel Kay). But it's based on Javanese mythology & mythological beings figure prominently. Your stated preference is for historical fiction, with fantasy as a possible subgenre. Given that my MS is more fantasy than history, do you think it's likely not a good fit for you?

Thank you!

Jenni L. Walsh link
7/20/2017 06:23:39 am

Hi Mariko,

Thank you for the comment! What draws me to historical fiction is the opportunity to be transported to a previous place and time. And, often, I'm most drawn to the historical novels that spark further curiosity, finding myself on Google. If the fantasy element keeps us close to the recognizable and has the potential to make me go digging for more, then it may be up my alley.

Good luck!

Kristen Howe
7/20/2017 11:17:36 am

Hi Jenni,

I'm wondering if you'll be open to reading thrillers. And if you would be open to reading a political thriller?

Thanks!

Hi Kristen link
7/20/2017 12:44:39 pm

Hi Kristen,

Is it historical fiction with thriller as a subgenre? I'm only open to historical fiction.

Thanks!

Sally Hanan link
7/20/2017 10:56:28 pm

Hi Jenni,

Are the '80s historical enough for you?

Sally

Jenni L. Walsh link
7/21/2017 05:05:03 am

Hi Sally,

On one hand, I'm curious about the 80s concept you've got going on (bc yes, it's the past), but I tend to follow the HNS definition of historical: written at least fifty years after the events described, or have been written by someone who was not alive at the time of those events (who therefore approaches them only by research).

However, at the end of a day, concept and writing style are king for me.

Kristen S. Greenberg
7/21/2017 12:56:34 pm

Hi Jenni.

I'm with you on the history, but how do you feel about romance? I assume telling the story of Bonnie and Clyde, there are some romantic elements in your book! Also will you consider LGBTQ? I have an early-19th-century romance between two gentleman in period style (think Jane Austen writing male/male romance) – any interest?

Thanks! Kristen

Jenni L. Walsh link
7/21/2017 01:14:27 pm

Hi Kristen,

As long as romance isn't running the show, I welcome it :)

I'd also consider LGBTQ, but I'll be honest that I haven't ever read a male/male novel. Other mentors have (and are asking specifically for it) so they may have a better eye for it.

Thanks!

Kristen Greenberg
7/21/2017 03:10:48 pm

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Romance pretty much IS the show, or at least it gets equal billing with the historical atmosphere, so maybe this isn't the best fit. I did see some of the other mentors asking for male/male, but thanks for pointing me in their direction just the same. I appreciate it! Thanks again.

Cory M. link
7/23/2017 08:02:32 pm

Hi, Jenni!

My novel weaves between Prohibition-era St. Paul and Winona, MN and modern day Winona. It's pretty much evenly split between the two. Is that something you'd be willing to consider?

Thanks and thanks for being a mentor in Pitchwars!

Jenni L. Walsh link
7/23/2017 08:58:51 pm

Yes! I'm currently reading The Mapmaker's Children, which takes a similar modern day/historical approach. I also really enjoyed The Light Of Paris of the same structure (and also prohibition-era!)

Monty B link
12/1/2020 01:25:29 am

Thank you for sharinng


Comments are closed.

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  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Adult >
      • Unsinkable
      • The Call of the Wrens
      • A Betting Woman: A Novel of Madame Moustache
      • Side by Side: A Novel of Bonnie and Clyde
      • Becoming Bonnie: A Novel
      • Untitled 2024
      • Untitled 2025
    • Middle Grade >
      • Operation: Happy
      • Over and Out
      • By the Light of Fireflies: A Novel of War Hero Sybil Ludington
      • I Am Defiance: A Novel of World War II
      • Hettie and the London Blitz: A World War II Survival Story
      • She Dared books
  • News
  • School Visits
  • Events
  • Contact