Jessica Bayliss
  • Home
  • About
  • Books & Stories
    • BREATHLESS
    • BROKEN CHORDS
    • TEN AFTER CLOSING
    • Anthologies
    • All Books & Stories

Pitch Wars Blog Hop 2018

8/13/2018

14 Comments

 
Picture
It's that time again: Pitch Wars time!

I am so grateful to be mentoring again this year after the fabulous experience I had in 2017. So, if you're interested in potentially subb'ing to me, you're in the right place.
But FIRST, what is this blog hop business? Below my post, you'll find links to all the YA mentors'  and co-mentors' sites where you can easily hop from blog-to-blog and read everyone's wish lists. We want the process of choosing who you'll sub to as easy as possible. Just be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to find them.
 So who am I and why would you want to choose me as a potential mentor? Why should you trust your work to my eyes and use one of your precious chances when there are almost 50 fabulous YA mentors? 
Below you will find the 
top 11 reasons —updated for 2018.

Am I the mentor for you? 

​1. Last year, I was a mentor in MG. Though my mentee's situation was a bit unique in that she'd already made a connection with her agent-to-be, my mentee did share that the agent loved the work we'd done and that the revisions contributed to their sealing the deal. This is what she said when I checked in to ask if she minded my referencing our experience here: 
“I was so excited to have Jessica select me to be her mentee in 2017. She understood the heart of my story and help me develop the world I had created. Jessica is an expert at helping writers develop character arcs and clarify character motivations. When I began to receive interest from agents, Jessica was essential in helping me navigate those new waters. I can’t imagine what my journey into publishing would have been like without Jessica in my corner.”
Picture
Meanwhile, I’m simply grateful that Adrianna allowed me along for her ride on the Pitch Wars whirlwind.
 
 2. I’m walking the wire and dancing through the fire. In other words, I know exactly what it feels like to be in your shoes because I’m literally in your shoes. As writers, we sometimes think we’ll reach this point where we’re finally there (does anyone even know what there is?), but the fact of the matter is, this is one long experience. Sure, there are milestones, but regardless of whether we have been in this industry for a short time or a long time, we're all dealing with the same things. We’re all subbing our work and hoping for yes’s. We’re all dealing with rejection and difficult feedback and just waiting for that next bit of good news or next step along our path. Now, that may sound discouraging, but it’s not. In fact, it’s liberating because it means that we never need to judge ourselves on where we are. And, if we keep the right mindset, we can enjoy every step. That’s why I LOVE the metaphors of walking the wire and dancing through the fire (and yes, I got those from two different songs—bonus points if you can guess which ones).
 
This writing thing is full of challenges, and it’s up to us to decide if it’s going to be a terrible ride or a party.
 
I choose to party. Want to join me? 
 
3. I love YA, and I’ve written almost nothing but YA in the last few years. My first novel-length book, BROKEN CHORDS, a YA horror came out in 2017, and my official debut novel, TEN AFTER CLOSING, a YA thriller comes out (eep!) in LESS THAN A MONTH. I’ve also been included in a YA anthology for which I wrote a sweet romantic piece.
 
4. No one wants a crabby mentor. If you know me, you know I strive to inspire and motivate writers. I do it with my blog, I do it with my memes, I do it with the free chapter critiques I give away each month to people on my newsletter list. My Number 1 Motto is: You can’t fail if you don’t give up. I believe 100% that if you want to be a published author you will, as long as you keep at it. That’s the spirit I’ll bring to this competition.
 
5. Because I’m a psychologist, one of my strengths is in creating authentic, realistic characters that drive the action of the story. Being either a character-driven or plot-driven author is so last year; I want to help you be both.
 
6. This is my dog. As anticipated, he was no help last year, but he is so darned cute ...
 
7. But seriously, I’ve written 14 books and 9 short stories, and I’ve been published in four anthologies. My Number 2 Motto is: Finish what you start. Revise what you finish. Then revise it again. And send it out there into the world.
 
I also serve as an editor for Allegory Magazine, which is now in its 20th year! Since last year when I mentored in Pitch Wars, I received a promotion to Senior Editor, and I’m so proud to serve writers in this role, helping them to have their yes-moment.
 
8. Pizza and donuts. Pizza goes without saying, but I figured I needed to update my comfort food for 2018, so I give you donuts.
 
9.  I’m looking to develop a real relationship with my mentee. Our friendship won’t end when the competition is over. Once I work with you, I’m going to be so excited to hear about all your doings and happenings. I hope to be a resource for the long-haul. (And don’t be surprised if, down the line, I bug you to be a resource for me. It’s all about writers helping writers.) 

10. I still love to eat. Pizza (as above), ice cream, donuts, cheese. All the cheese. And coffee. I make a MEAN pumpkin chocolate chip cookie. But, most of the time, I’m into eating healthy. I’ve tried at least half the recipes on Skinnytaste.com, and I’m huge into working out. It’s my foundation. I’m a grunge rock girl at heart, but I love modern dance music and current rock groups. I can’t seem to get enough of Panic at the Disco, Imagine Dragons, or Fallout Boy. I’m also a bluegrass fan (especially “New Grass.” Crooked Still is one of my all time favorites. And Nickel Creek.) I love SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, PROJECT RUNWAY, TOP CHEF, DEADLIEST CATCH, FAMILY GUY, SILICON VALLEY, BUFFY, WEST WORLD, PORTLANDIA, MONTY PYTHON.
 
11. I did not start out as a writer. I don’t have an MFA. I didn’t study writing in college or grad school. But writing a book was something I always wanted to do, and one day, I said: Let me see if I can do it. And that started me off. I’ve been writing for only eight years, so I know what it’s like to be a constant learner. I’m still learning. So, unless you’re Shakespeare, I totally expect that you’re still learning too.
 
I’m a practicing, licensed clinical psychologist. I work with people every day on figuring out their strengths, understanding their barriers & things that limit them reaching their potential, and setting the kind of goals that work. On the education front, I’ve been teaching and mentoring students at all levels (from college to post-grad) for over ten years. My Number 3 Motto is: It’s not about being good. It’s about getting better.


What you can expect from me:

Picture
- Kindness and honesty. I’m the person who’s not afraid to tell you that you have broccoli in your teeth (and if I do, PLEASE tell me, okay?), but learning should never be punitive. You can expect a collaborative experience where I’ll tell you all my thoughts, but work with you to make your book the best it can be no matter what.
- When I read your book, I’ll be looking to understand the book as you envision it, then work with you to further hone the things that are already working well and identify places where you can bring out the heart of your vision even more.
- Once I’ve read the whole thing, I’ll send you an edit letter with all my thoughts. I’ll give you some time to read through it, then we can communicate about it (video chat, phone, email—whatever) and come up with a solid revision plan.
- Once you complete your revisions, I’ll read through the book again and give you comments in the margins.
- We’ll pay extra attention to your first chapter and your query; I’ll also do a line/copy edit of your first 30 pages, and then you can take those suggestions and carry them through the rest of the book.
- I’ll be here to cheer you on the whole way, including providing support during the hardest part of the competition—the waiting phase. We’ll get through it together with pizza, donuts, wine, and all the cheese.


My perfect mentee ...

Picture
​​Are you ... ?
- flexible and open-minded about revisions? Listen, when you sign with your agent (and you will, I know it), you’re going to continue to get tons of feedback on your work. Then you’ll sell your book (totally, it will happen), and your editor is going to have a ton of changes for you to make too. So, revisions are a normal and natural part of the writing process. (Personally, my favorite parts of all my books are born in revisions.) So, if you’re open-minded and willing to do an overhaul if it’s in the service of your vision, I really want to work with you.
 
- not afraid to work hard? There’s a timeline in Pitch Wars, and you will likely be eating, sleeping, and breathing your book. Are you reading this saying, Bring it on!--good!
 
- serious about your writing career? I can’t promise that if you work with me you’ll get an agent and a book deal. I can promise you’ll learn from this experience, and your book will be better than when you started. So, if you don’t sign, are you still going to be as motivated to keep trying as you were the day you entered this competition? Will you keep querying that book until you find your dream agent? Will you write a new one and query that if this one doesn’t get you there? Yes? Then send me your book, my friend.
 
Let’s get to work.


So, what kind of books am I looking to mentor this year?

 WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
- I’m definitely looking for genre books, but within that context, I’m excited to read stories with diversity of any type, including #ownvoices books.
- I will accept YA and NA
- My biggest request will be thrillers. I’ll take action-based thrillers, psychological, techno thrillers, and a tiny bit of sci-fi (sci-fi isn’t my favorite, but it can be amazing,so the right book could do it for me). Books like THE ACCIDENTAL BAD GIRL (Maxine Kaplan), PEOPLE LIKE US (Dana Mele), THE BAKERSVILLE DOZEN (Kristina McBride), or mysteries like DIVESMACK (Demetra Brodsky) and SEE ALL THE STARS (Kit Frick).
- I’m also open to paranormal YA and full-on horror. Books like DREAD NATION (Justina Ireland), THE DARK BENEATH THE ICE (Amelinda Berube), THE CALL (Paedar O’Guillin), THE DEVIL AND WINNIE FLYNN (Micol Ostow), and books by Kim Liggett.
- I love combining humor with more serious stories, so if you have something along the lines of SCREAM ALL NIGHT (Derek Milman) or THEIVING WEASELS (Billy Taylor), especially if there’s a thriller element, send it to me.
- I’m also open to magical realism or light fantasy as long as it’s at least mostly rooted in the present time and a contemporary world: THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST (Holly Black) or THE HAZEL WOOD (Melissa Albert).
- These books are just examples; there's no need to know them to sub to me if your book fits my overall categories.
Picture
​WHAT I’m NOT LOOKING FOR
- Anything that’s NOT YA.
- Quiet books. I’m a genre girl, so I’m looking for books with thrills and scares.
- Pure contemporary. I love these books (think SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE by Lindsey Champion), but I’m not looking for that this time around.
- High fantasy.
- No vampires or werewolves (UNLESS it’s a silly take on the trope. Think FAT VAMPIRE for or something like Molly Harper’s books for YA.)
- No space stories.
- No dystopians, please.

There's nothing wrong with these types of books, and my preferences have nothing to do with the chances of these kinds of books getting you an agent or book deal, they're just not my favorites and therefore you're better off using one of your submissions on a mentor who'd be a better fit. 

Thank you!

Thank you for dropping by and taking the time to get to know me. I can't wait to read your submission!!!! And remember, the links to all the other YA mentors' blog posts are BELOW.
Picture

1.


Abigail

2.


Adalyn

3.


Alex & Renée (Accepts NA)

4.


Andrea & Kay (Accepts NA)

5.


Annie

6.


Aty (Accepts NA)

7.


Brittney (Accepts NA)

8.


Carrie & Sabrina

9.


Chelsea (Accepts NA)

10.


Cole

11.


Elly (Accepts NA)

12.


Erica

13.


Erin

14.


Fallon & Rebecca

15.


Gloria

16.


Heather & Rachel
17.


Hoda

18.


Isabel

19.


Jamie

20.


Jenna

21.


Jessica B. (Accepts NA)

22.


KC Johnson

23.


Kerbie (Accept NA)

24.


Kim & Megan

25.


Kimberly & Francesca

26.


Kit

27.


Laura

28.


Lindsey & Melissa

29.


Luke

30.


Lyndsay

31.


M.K. & Jamie

32.


Megan
33.


Mel & Alechia

34.


Michaela (Accepts NA)

35.


Rachel S.

36.


Rebecca

37.


Rosie & Swati

38.


RuthAnne & Destiny (Accepts NA)

39.


Samantha & Laurie

40.


Sana (Accepts NA)

41.


Sheena

42.


Sonia & Annette

43.


ST Sterlings (Accepts NA)

44.


Stephen (Accepts NA)

45.


Tobie & Jennieke

46.


Trisha (Accepts NA)

47.


Lindsey & Katie

48.


Dawn & Kimberly G.

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.


14 Comments
Babysleepingbag link
9/4/2021 12:47:05 pm

Very nice blog, Thanks for sharing a great article putting it all together for us.

Reply
call girl link
10/13/2021 03:40:50 am

Writing a nice blog is not just work but art and the creative way in which you write is really commendable,

Reply
mumbai escorts agency link
10/13/2021 03:41:30 am

I do not want to write a good blog that is not just the work of writing a good blog, but it is also an art, and from this point of view you are not less than an artist.

Reply
Gurgaon Escorts link
12/8/2021 10:28:15 am

This article is very good and quite unique. People like such posts very much, I also like such articles, you are an inspiration for today's youth. Thank you.

Reply
mahalaxmi jewellers jaipur link
7/31/2022 11:15:31 pm

best jewelry sale online Handmade Jewelry from India, Made with Love and Soul

Reply
ishika link
8/5/2022 04:13:45 am

https://ishikaescort.com/

Reply
ishika link
8/5/2022 09:10:14 am

https://ishikaescort.com/gurgaon-escorts.html

Reply
Jhanvi Patel link
8/10/2022 02:08:37 am

call: +971503735841 Dubai escorts miss jhanvi offering elite independent escorts service at very cheap rates. Book our female model escorts in Dubai and enjoy fullest. Dubai call girls whatsapp number with real photos.

Reply
liza Bangalore link
9/15/2022 07:03:54 am

Nice Post

https://lizabangalore.com/

Reply
Shahid Hasan link
11/29/2022 12:40:09 am

Thanks for sharing this post. I am very impressed

Reply
Megha Malik link
1/16/2023 02:11:42 am

Hi, I'm Megha Malik! What I could say about me?

Reply
Deleenaiyer link
1/20/2023 02:03:45 am

Nice Post
https://deleenaiyer.com/

Reply
sexy girls in Mumbai link
2/6/2023 02:48:22 am

Welcome Boys, are you all set for enjoyment and severe fun with naughty escorts.

Reply
jaipur sexy girl link
2/6/2023 02:48:59 am

Thanks for posting such an informative article, thanks for sharing informative post

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe
    Jessica Bayliss Blogs about reading, writing, & other fun stuff

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Allegory EZine News
    Award News
    BREATHLESS
    BROKEN CHORDS
    Contest News
    Craft
    Feedback Mini Series
    Giveaways
    Guest Posts
    Inspiration & Motivation
    It's A Writer Thing
    Latest News
    Live Events
    Pitch Wars
    Release News
    Submission News
    Tech & Gadgets
    TEN AFTER CLOSING
    The Business Side
    THE FIVE SENSES
    There's A Story There
    Utter Randomness
    What I Want Wednesday
    What's New?
    Writer's Block Series
    Writer Wellness
    ZOMBIE CHUNKS

    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.