Bouncer Post #111

Title: ZOMBIE CRUSH

Genre: Upper MG/Urban Fantasy

Word Count: 53,000

Query:

Thirteen year old Bridget Miles is known as the freaky witch girl. After her Boy Perfect, her crush since the first grade, dies she performs the one spell her Great Grandmother warned her against and brings him back to life.

Everything seems good-ish until a covert government agency tries to recruit Bridget for their zombie experiments. Though at first she’s intrigued, she soon realizes there’s a sinister agenda beneath their squeaky-clean exterior—the agency’s plans could bring a stop to mankind. Bridget has to stop them before a zombie army takes over the world.

And save her boy zombie in the process. 

ZOMBIE CRUSH is a humorous book about zombies and a first love. 

First 250:

I am a freak. Not the I-have-to-join-the-circus-I’m-so-freaky kind of freak but still a freak.  I am in love with Ronnie---I wish he was my boyfriend but he doesn’t know I’m alive---who is undead.

I’ve had a crush on Ronnie Michaels since first grade. Tall and lean, with blond sun-kissed hair. Deep blue eyes. Not only is he good looking with a perfect smile and long eyelashes but he’s smart. He died yesterday. Or did.

Now Ronnie is a zombie.

And it’s all my fault.

Yesterday, Ronnie died after eating some bad fish. Food poisoning.Track star extraordinaire. Most popular boy in Grandville Middle School. Everyone was in shock, his mother, the students, the town. He was supposed to do great things. Like cure cancer. Or go to Mars. Or bring about world peace. Instead, he was lying in a coffin with flowers strewn on top of it. Shut in a stone mausoleum for all eternity.

I shiver in the cool October night air as I wait. Halloween is over. Tomorrow will be the first of November. My thirteenth birthday. The only present I want is for Ronnie to be alive again.

I hide in the back of the mausoleum where Ronnie is interred.

Convinced that everyone has finally gone, I venture inside. I run my hands along the wall until I get to his crypt.

“Ronald Michaels—beloved son and friend,” I read aloud. I assemble materials for the spell Great Grandmother Bridget listed in the Book of Shadows. 

Bouncer Post #110

Title: INTO THE ETHER

Genre: Dark YA Fantasy

Word Count: 77,000

Query:

When Lilith strangles Daniel on their wedding night, he expects to go where everyone else goes when they die: Paradise, or Torment. Instead, he finds himself sucked into the Ether, a strange place that catches lost souls. But the Ether is more than that. It’s also the place where the battle between good and evil will be won, or lost.

The two kings of the Ether have been struggling to keep the balance between darkness and light for eternity. But the system is failing, and one of the kings has aligned himself with the forces of darkness. It’s left to the other king, Varesin, to uphold what the Ether stands for, and for that, he needs Daniel.

Told that he can never go home again, Daniel agrees to work for Varesin as a wrighter, fixing the wrongs of the past that threaten to tip the world out of balance. But before he can complete his training, Varesin is captured by the dark king. Daniel is left alone with only a shadow cat and a mysterious sword that gives him the ability to visit his own past. After harnessing the power of the blade, he learns several things that will shape his (after)life forever:

Varesin is the reason Daniel lived at all, but he’s also the reason Daniel died.

The feud Daniel and Lilith married to end has murdered his entire family.

And the only way to save the world is to kill the woman he would still do anything for.

Sometimes, our greatest enemy is love. 

First 250: 

She killed the boy with a piece of lace from her wedding gown.

           

Or, at least, he thought she did.

He expected to go straight to the ever after when the last of his breath left his lungs, and his heart slowed and stopped. But instead, when his soul cleaved from his body and rose with the lightness of a soap bubble toward the sky, he felt it all. He felt her hands tremble as they flew, pink and swollen, to her face. He felt the warmth of her breath as she exhaled: a strange sound somewhere between disbelief and delight.

He felt the tickle of joy he usually got at the sight of her smile when she moved her hands to reveal a grin.

That, more than anything—more than her betrayal, more than his death, more than what it would mean for his family—made him sad. That even though she’d murdered him, he still loved her.

Wind rushed over him as she grew smaller and smaller below. He gusted away toward the clear starry sky and whatever waited for him there. The moon clung desperately to the horizon.

Perhaps that was where Paradise lie, on the dark side of the moon.

But he headed straight up instead, away from the moon and into the darkness between the stars.

For a moment, the entire universe stretched before him. And then he was sucked somewhere . . . between. 

Bouncer Post #109

Title: RUNNING FROM SHADOWS

Genre: young adult paranormal

Word Count: 78k words

Query:

Greta Shore's shadow has been stolen. Her magick is missing. Her traitorous mother has arranged for Greta to marry her ex-crush turned stalker. Throw in a side of fate and it's a McMisery meal for the seventeen-year-old unicorn shifter. This crap shouldn't happen in the twenty-first century. When Greta runs into yet more trouble, in the form of a shadow demon desperate for her soul, she's scooped into the arms of a mysterious boy, whose touch fills her mind with phantom memories of forgotten love. But her rescuer isn’t her salvation: he’s the source of all shadow demons. And the only way to stop them is to kill their creator… The boy she loves.

RUNNING FROM SHADOWS won first place in the 2012 Reveal Your Inner Vixen contest (Maryland Romance Writers chapter of RWA), won second place in the 20th Annual Heart of the West 2012 contest (Utah chapter of RWA), won second place in the 2012 Launching A Star contest (Florida SpacecoasT chapter of RWA) and is a finalist in the 2012 Show Me the Spark contest (Heartland Romance Authors chapter of RWA).

I am a PRO member of RWA, YARWA, FF&P and Backspace, as well as being active in my local RWA chapter, Chesapeake Romance Writers. My young adult paranormal romance, WITCH WAY TO TURN, is published through Lyrical Press, and USA Today recently recommended the book trailer.

First 250:

The giant oaks of the Red Forest loomed above me. Unease prickled down my spine. Something else was in the woods. Lurking in the shadows. Watching me. I froze mid-step, ice in my veins. Peered into the darkness with my breath caught in my throat.

Haven slammed into my back. “Greta, seriously?”

A shiver rippled through me. The thing in the shadows had taken my attention so completely I’d forgotten my two best friends trailed behind me. What was that thing? Had I imagined it?

When I didn’t answer she stomped in front of me. “Don’t just stop like that.” Haven smoothed a loose strand of pink hair behind her ear. “Damn. Maybe I should take the lead.”

“Whatever.” I risked a quick glance over Haven’s shoulder toward the shadowy figure. Gone.

“What are you looking at?” She followed my gaze.

Jill joined us, her blond hair swaying over her shoulders as she bobbed her head up and down. The giddy smile on her face said she might start clapping at any second. “Ooh, I hope it’s something witchy and dangerous.”

Jill wasn’t even trying to hide her excitement. Of course, I couldn’t exactly blame her. She’d never done a spell with us before. Haven hadn’t ever asked her and I’d never been skilled enough to lead a circle. Until now.

I drew in a deep breath through my nose. The chill of it nearly gave me brain freeze. Was I crazy for needing to do this? For wanting answers?

Bouncer Post #108

Title: THE GRYPHON HOUSE OF THE FEARSOME, FRIGHTENING, AND FORMIDABLE

Genre: Upper MG Urban Fantasy

Word Count: 62,000

Query:

Set in twentieth century London, the story follows thirteen-year-old William Tucker, who is the youngest, and smallest member in his family’s long-line of creature catchers.  Started by his grandfather and now run by his father and two, rather large, rather awe-inspiring older twin sisters, The Gryphon is now the most respected in all of London. Tuck longs to be assigned creatures larger and far more perilous than those he has been assigned to hunt so far, but his astonishing accidents, unbelievable incidents and incredible mistakes have not yet allowed that wish to come to pass. 

Finally he is given the opportunity with a task at the Spellbynder School of Practical Sorcery in the north end.  He meets Stella, a thirteen-year-old wizard’s apprentice who helps him, with her emerging talent, sharp wit and unfathomable knowledge, follow the trail of the wisps of jet-black smoke and the ravens that have been seen near every disaster throughout the city. 

The trails do indeed lead to larger and more perilous creatures, but also to casters of arcane magic who are casting spells to tear away the fabric of reality. It is within these gaps that the Morrighan, goddess of battle and death is manifesting her power, building her strength and her armies for an assault on London. Tuck and Stella are separated from the others and find new allies in a group of orphans, children much like themselves who catch creatures on the streets of London in order to survive.  They soon realize they will need the entirety of Gryphon House as well as a faith in these new allies if they hope to stop Morrighan before she has reached her full power.

THE GRYPHON HOUSE OF THE FEARSOME, FRIGHTENING AND FORMIDABLE is my debut.  It is a 62,000-word Urban Fantasy MG novel with plans to be a series.

I am a few credits away from getting my Masters in English Literature with a concentration in Fantasy (Tolkien, CS Lewis, Lewis Carroll, GK Chesterton, etc.) and wrote this novel over the past three months while taking these classes.

First 250

The last remnants of the morning mist hugged the cobblestone streets tightly after blanketing all of London on a very uneventful night. As the first bit of sunlight pierced through the darkness the mist began to race, skimming the surface of the cobbles as it moved wildly through the streets, trying to avoid the touch that would ultimately dissipate it.

Moving farther and farther from the Thames, the mist twisted and turned, down back alleys and snickelways, eventually being caught as it turned on to Barrow Street and faced the slowly rising sun. The last bits of mist floated away, falling just short of the darkness within a snickelway that lead off the road.

Several stories up, thirteen-year-old William Tucker waited silently at the edge of an old, drafty, tumbledown brick building and stared down onto the street below. Five feet tall, with wispy blond hair, both uncut and unkempt, Tuck was slightly smaller for his age and occupation than he and much of his family had hoped. He wore a grey button down shirt with the word GRYPHON neatly printed on the single pocket (well, as neatly as could be managed by a thirteen-year-old hand in haste). At his feet there lay several items that were rather unusual for someone his age: an old canvas bag, a long length of rope, a whip, and a bright silver hammer. In his hand was a piece of blackthorn, pared clean of its bark and razor sharp thorns, hand rubbed to a smooth polished finish.

Window 6 Info!

Window 6 is reserved for those who have already entered one of the previous windows, didn't get through, and want to try again with the same manuscript.

If you are entering the BSD contest for the first time, check out window 5 info here.

Window 6 will actually be split up into two windows since it's still early in the Bouncer rounds: 

• Window 6 part 1 will open tonight at 8 pm EST. It will stay open until full, which is 30 entries.

• Window 6 part 2 will open Feb. 15th @ 12pm EST until the round begins or full, which is another 30 entries.  

*Each entry must again be accompanied by the $10 entry fee.

**Please format the same as usual, but note that it is for window 6 PLEASE! Email to: CupidsLitConnection@yahoo.com

Bouncers:

I will be using any volunteer Bouncers from the previous rounds. I haven't decided for sure how they'll judge because I don't know how many entries to expect. So maybe you'll have one Bouncer look at your entry for reconsideration or maybe you'll have five. Maybe one of the Bouncers has been thinking about your entry ever since your round and would LOVE to see you again so they can push you through. 

*The Bouncers will be allowed to push a minimum of 3 entries through and a max of 9. 

Of course, this round will take place the week after Bouncer Round 5 is finished up. Hope to see some of my favorites there!

Remember, first half of the window opens tonight!

Thank you! 

Bouncer Round 3 RESULTS!!

Hey! Hey!

Round 3 is over and we have 9 more entries selected for the agent round!! REMEMBER! There is still a chance to get into the agent round! We have our Kissing Scene Competition, which the 3 winners will go straight to the agent round (SIGN UP TODAY!)...

...AND...

...we also have window 6, which is for those who want to enter for a second chance. Maybe you've revamped your query and first page and want another shot. More info on window 6 coming in a bit!

Again, round 3 was filled with some fantastic writing and premises and I KNOW our Bouncers wished they could pick more than 3 each. Speaking of our Bouncers, let's give them a big thank you right now.

THANK YOU BOUNCERS!!

And the entries going through to the agent round are....


#73 THE CAKE EFFECT
#76 ALL STRIPPED DOWN
#79 PINNING THE MAP
#86 KISSED
#89 LIES OF THE BALL
#93 PINK FORTUNE
#101 THE ONES
#102 GARDEN OF THORNS
#105 JUMPING ANTS

CONGRATS! Great job! Good luck in the agent round!

PLEASE NOTE: For those going through, feel free to work on your entries and I'll announce when I need them sent back in.

Thank you everyone!!!! 

Kissing Scene Competition Info!

I am SO excited for this!!! *dancing*

The Kissing Scene Competition is only for those who entered the Blind Speed Dating Contest. So if you entered one of the Bouncer rounds, this is for you! If you didn't, you better go find an open window now!

The three winners will go through to the BSD agent round (with the entry they entered in the contest). BUT your kissing scene doesn't have to be from the same manuscript.

Those who have already secured a spot in the agent round can still enter this competition, but PLEASE note on your entry that you are already in the agent round. This way you will not take another spot, but can still receive an honorable mention from one of our Kissing Experts (judges) if they love your scene.

The Kissing Scene Competition will have two rounds!

Round 1 will be a blog hop. If you don't have a blog, borrow one or start one. Sign ups will start tomorrow (30th) and run until the end of Friday (1st). There will be a post here on the blog with instructions and a Mr. Linky sign up button.

You'll then put your kissing scene up for viewing on Monday the 4th. Everyone and anyone can then hop around to all the blogs and comment on the kissing scenes until round 1 closes on the 7th. Each Kissing Expert will be assigned a certain number of scenes to read and choose their favorites by commenting on those scenes' posts. A total of ten entries will pass through to round 2.

But that's not all!

As you read through the kissing scenes in round 1 there are awards that can be given out. Here they are:

Sweetest kiss: Sugar Lips Award
Most embarrassing/funniest kiss: Color Me Red Award
Most intense/hottest kiss: Get A Room Award
Most romantic kiss: Swooning Award
Most lovable characters: Cutest Couple Award

AND...

*Best overall writing: Write In The Kisser Award <-- This is our winning award!

Each of the Kissing Experts will be armed with these awards to give out to any of their entries. They can use all of them or only the winning award. Whatever they choose.

But also, all of you can give out these awards too! Just make sure you only use each award once!

Round 2 entries will be posted here on the CLC blog where all the Kissing Experts and myself will read through them all and vote for our favorites. This will run from 2/11-2/13. The top three winners will be announced on Valentine's Day and they each win a spot in the contest agent round!!!

EEP! I'm so excited!!! Did I already say that? Well, I am!

Blind Speed Dating Contest - Window 5

Window 5 opens tonight (8pm EST)!! And this is important because this is the last window I'll accept new contest entrants. Window 6 is reserved for those who want that second chance before the Bouncers.


For the general contest info go here, then go here to check out the AGENTS.

The window will stay open until full (60). These entries go up on Feb. 11th.

*Remember: I'll accept muliple manuscripts. So if you entered a previous round and want to enter another manuscript, you CAN! You CAN'T enter the same manuscript. That's what window 6 is for!

Window 5 Bouncers: 

Genn Albin

Julie Murphy

Anne Greenwood Brown

(Check those links for more info on what they write and are interested in.)

Remember to read those posts linked above for all directions and formatting guidelines. Email entries to: CupidsLitConnection(at)yahoo(dot)com

Later today I'll be posting information on the Kissing Scene Competition and a list of our Kissing Experts. Remember, you have to be in the BSD contest to enter this competition.