Thank you so much to everyone who entered our contest this month! We had some really fabulous entries, and the scoring has been really close in every round.
Now, without further ado, the winner of the Pitch+250 contest and recipient of a 3 chapter critique from Christa Heschke of McIntosh & Otis is…..
Fighting Chance by Amy Trueblood
Congrats, Amy!! Please send your first 3 chapters to 4kidlit[at]gmail[dot]com with “Winner” in the subject line.
2nd-5th place, winners of a 1 chapter critique from one of our Agent judges
Earth to Earth by Amanda Leigh
The Drink and the Wheel by Fonda Lee
Hum of the Hills by Corrie Haluga
Whiff by Becky Swanburg
Congrats! Please send your first chapter to 4kidlit[at]gmail[dot]com with “Agent critique” in the subject line.
6th-10th place, winners of a 1 chapter critique from one of our Author judges
Accordian Girl by Sharon Edge Martin
Caretta, Caretta by Deborah Rocheleau
No Such Thing by Sarah Glenn Marsh
The Good Demon by Ryan Hill
Rancho Tails by C. Ramirez
Congrats! Please send your first chapter to 4kidlit[at]gmail[dot]com with “Author critique” in the subject line.
Special thanks to our Agent judges for taking time to help us judge in the middle of BEA and Memorial weekend!
Christa Heschke, McIntosh & Otis
Christa Heschke graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She started in publishing as an intern at both Writers House and Sterling Lord Literistic, where she fell in love with the agency side of publishing. Christa has been at McIntosh and Otis, Inc. in the Children’s Literature Department since 2009. Within Children’s, Christa is interested in fantasy (urban and high) horror, thrillers/mysteries, steampunk and contemporary fiction, but is open to exploring other genres. Christa is a fan of novels with a romantic angle, and strong, quirky protagonists. Within fantasy, she is looking for something that pushes the boundaries of what’s currently on the shelves, perhaps a new take on this popular genre that has yet to be seen. As for middle grade, Christa enjoys humorous contemporary, adventure and magical realism for boys and girls.
Follow Christa on Twitter
Emily Keyes, L. Perkins Agency
Emily has a growing list of clients and is also the Contracts and Foreign Rights Manager. She’s very passionate about YA and teen novels and is looking to acquire in that area.
Previously, she was a Contracts Administrator at Simon & Schuster, Inc. and a writer for “The World Almanac for Kids.” She is a graduate of the NYU Publishing program and knowledgeable about many areas of publishing, and an expert on all things “Sweet Valley.”
Follow Emily on Twitter
Emily’s Blog
Laura Biagi, Jean V. Naggar Literary
Laura Biagi joined JVNLA in 2009. She is actively building her own client list, seeking adult literary fiction and young readers books. She also handles the sale of Australian and New Zealand rights for the agency. She has worked closely with Jean Naggar and Jennifer Weltz on their titles, as well as Jennifer Weltz on the submission of JVNLA’s titles internationally.
Laura’s writing background has honed her editorial eye and has driven her enthusiasm for discovering and developing literary talent. She studied creative writing and anthropology at Northwestern University. As a writer, she has participated in workshops at the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, the Juniper Summer Writing Institute, and the New York State Summer Writers Institute. She is the recipient of a Kentucky Emerging Artist Award for fiction writing.
Laura grew up in a small town in Kentucky and maintains a fondness for Southern biscuits and unobstructed views of the stars.
Follow Laura on Twitter
Alyssa Henkin, Trident Media Group
Alyssa Eisner Henkin is a 1998 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Trident in December of 2006, she spent seven years at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers editing the NY Times bestselling Little Quack, The Mother Daughter Book Club, and The Wedding Planner’s Daughter. Alyssa is currently seeking middle grade and young adult novels, as well as projects with crossover appeal in women’s fiction. She is especially drawn to mysteries in mansions, adventures that suspend disbelief, wish-fulfillment premises that linger with what ifs, epic love stories, and settings tilled with strong regional flavors.
Alyssa is seeking middle grade mysteries in mansions, wish-fulfillment premises that give goose bumps, and epic young adult/crossover love stories filled with strong regional flavors. She is constantly re-evaluating the literary landscapes to avoid areas that may be flooded with more of the same and to hone in on themes poised for growth. Above all, she digs deep when she sees potential, from editing, to title brainstorming, to securing the right publisher, to working intimately on marketing. “When author, book agent, and publisher work together, a book can go from a sleeper hit to a groundbreaking bestseller in a matter of weeks.”
Eric Ruben, The Ruben Agency
A graduate of New York’s Cardozo School of Law and a veteran entertainment professional, Eric has over twenty-five years experience as an attorney, literary agent, talent manager, and professional performer. His unique perspective is valuable to performers, writers, artists, and others. Working in partnership with a diverse clientele, he determines how best to move their careers forward and achieve their personal, professional and artistic goals.
