#PitMatch Winning Tweets – Feb 11

Posted on by AJflowers
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Source: Brenda-Drake

This was certainly a new and fun Twitter Pitch Contest hosted by Brenda Drake, otherwise known for the popular Twitter Pitch Contest, #PitMad. (Click here to read the host’s page.)

Their Twitter handle lists this contest as:

A collaboration between  and . Three teams of cupids (writers, agents, editors) compete to make the most literary matches. February 11, 1-4 EST.

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Source: Brenda-Drake

Basically, the teams of cupids rummage through the 3 hours of pitches and hold them up against #MSWL (Manuscript Wish List) posts from agents and editors. If they feel they’ve found a match, they bring the pitch to the agent/editor’s attention. If the agent/editor favorites the tweet, that means they are interested and hopefully the cupids have created a love match!

Agents are busy people. Really. Busy. People. Events like these help authors to rise above the slush pile with a little extra oomph, and sometimes agents who aren’t even open to submissions will make exceptions if they make a connection through a pitch contest like this one.

And if that isn’t enough of a reward for you, then look at it this way. #MSWL got a decent refresher!

First, the winning tweets! Sorted by agent and including their posted #MSWL just to compare how accurate their #MSWL is to their interest in pitches. This post isn’t just to see the winners, but to better understand agents and publishers, and what it is they’re looking for. This is an activity I’ve done on my own for some time, and I’m an author who is in the spirit of sharing what I learn with others. Writing is not a solo endeavor. We need to stick together!

**Disclaimer:

-This is a listing compiled based on live Twitter feed and is not an official nor complete list since a complete list would take me 1209498456 hours to complete *manic laugh*. There are a TON of tweets, so if I missed yours and you’d like to see it here, feel free to send a comment and I’ll add it to the list.

-Additionally, I have no affiliation with this contest. MG and PB are not included since this is not a subject interest of this blog.

-If pitches won multiple favorites, they are listed only once. Feel free to click any of the links to see the tweets yourself.**

Favorited by Literary Agents:

 

Agent: Mandy Hubbard via Emerald City Agency (She has recently founded her own agency after 6 years with D4EO)

Mandy’s MSWL:

: YA where teens fake being adults, a la DON’T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER’S DEAD.

– YA with an absurdly ridiculous premise (like KILL THE BOY BAND, or the movie THE HANGOVER.

Tweets Fav’d by Mandy:

17yo,on the road to redemption & away from home, falls in love w/a girl who holds a secret that could destroy them both.
 
Girl popping Adderall while caring for dying mom meets boy pulling risky stunts to prove his life’s not a cosmic mistake
 

He’s a burn victim. She chose an abortion at 17. Both carry scars, but together they might heal each other. Dual POV

 

Teens face down their emotional & drug-fueled demons at therapeutic boarding school. Some succeed, some struggle and one dies.

 
As Lauryn fights to survive after a pandemic, she falls for a soldier, helping her forget her dead boyfriend.Until he shows up
 
When out/proud Kyle falls for a closeted fb player, both boys realize sometimes you have to risk losing it all to have it all

Agent: Peter Knapp via New Leaf Literary

Peter’s MSWL:

– smart general fiction for adults. Think ME BEFORE YOU, THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS, TO BE SUNG UNDERWATER, THE AGE OF MIRACLES

Tweets Fav’d by Peter:
Eden & Samuel become fast friends. Through abuse, careers, infidelity, & even death, the two never lose sight of their bond
 
It was just a movie. The ritual sacrifice wasn’t supposed to be real. I Know What You Did Last Summer meets The Craft.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets The Martian After Earth destroyed, Gilly documents struggle as last surviving human

Agent: Diedre Knight via The Knight Agency

Diedre’s MSWL:

I would love to find a Gilded Age novel.

I would love to find historical fiction about ancient Sparta, Ancient Greece or Romo.

Tweets Fav’d by Diedre:

2 save her ppl, Āmitis plays both sides of the war.Falling 4 the Persian King,Cyrus, jeopardizes their lives& 2 empires
 Feb 11
She learns be careful what you wish for when her Chicago acting career & feelings for a hot movie director skyrocket.

Agent: Mike Hoogland via DGLM

Mike’s MSWL:

Looking for some thought-provoking speculative fiction grounded in realism

Would love to see some . I also wouldn’t say no to some and

Tweet’s Fav’d by Mike:

Kate must escape the mob & outwit terrorists to save thousands from VX, the worlds most deadly chemical weapon.
 
A diverse crew of space nerds hunt down an ancient piece of alien technology with mysterious power.
Kate must escape the mob & outwit terrorists to save thousands from VX, the worlds most deadly chemical weapon.
 
ZERO DARK THIRTY meets BEFORE SUNRISE when a mild-mannered Navy SEAL falls 4 a brilliant physicist he frees from captivity

Agent: Caitlin McDonald via DMLA

Caitlin’s MSWL:

I feel like this goes w/o saying but I’m really really dying for non-Western fantasy. Either on Earth or a secondary-world is fine.

BTW, I also handle nonfiction, so hit me up with any particularly geeky book proposals you might have!

Also looking for stories set in unusual or remote locations. Could be SFF or contemporary, but stays in the region, not transitory.

Also still looking for that Leverage book, you guys! Heists heists heists, please send me your heists! Ideally w/ lots of women

Canon bisexuality, for example, I am definitely eager to see more of in media

I’d also love books that focus on female friendships–either contemporary or genre fiction. All-female fantasy quest! Girl heist team!

I’d love diverse representation that is not presented as “issue books”–just queer, POC, & differently-abled people doing stuff.

Big day on Twitter today! #1 on my wishlist is lesbians: send me lesbians doing literally anything, I am dying for representation!

Tweets Fav’d by Caitlin:

Gossip Girl with a twist: Eight gay teens + One secret society + One wild night = One hell of an initiation.
 
2099: In a submerged world, 16yo Brit Leila must win a perilous sub race & the ultimate prize: her innocent Papa’s freedom
 
JOY LUCK CLUB/TRISTAN&ISOLDE Epic romance–2 reincarnating lovers split by spell gone wrong. Killer set on dividing them
Agent: Amelia Appel via Micintosh & Otis
Amelia’s MSWL:
Last one for now: poignant boy-girl FRIENDSHIP. Not everything has to end in romance. Not everything should.
Huge fan of anti-heroes. There has to be something likeable about them, but entirely redeemable..? 😏
Literary fiction with oh-so-casual magical realism. Like THE PALE KING, where someone can hover above his desk and it’s nbd.
See Amelia’s Feed for more…
Tweets Fav’d by Amelia:
The island has secrets. Isla must know the truth so she can let her dead twin go. He’ll do anything to stop her.
After her parents die, empathic Sorrel gains a stalker, her twin becomes distant,BFF goes MIA things get out of hand altPOV
Agent: Shira Hoffman via Micintosh & Otis
Shira’s MSWL:
The Saddle Club for the next (tech) generation. Frienship and ponies. Need I say more?
American memoir that explores an unknown story or a hidden facet of history. Killer voice is a must. Think Rocket Boys
Contemporary romance for teens with a touch of humor in the vein of Humorous adult contemporary romanc also a win!
Tweets Fav’d by Shira:

GRISHA meets GRACELING in a twisted and dark retelling of classic Russian fairytale “Ivan and the Firebird”

 

Wendy helps orphans become Lost Boys, only to find out Neverland might be more dangerous than London

 

Hook didn’t always have 1 hand & she wasn’t enemies w/Peter. Jas fell in love w/TigerLily & it tore Neverland apart

 

Starbound is Titanic in space with teenagers—and one of them is responsible for the iceberg. Adventure/disaster/romance

 
A jilted bride sworn off love.A struggling hockey player desperate for a good luck charm.And the one night that changes it all.
Agent: Christa Heschke via Micintosh & Otis
Christa’s MSWL:
Beautiful literary or that gives me the feels!
Dark, eerie and creepy or . Weird small town mystery.
A with a forbidden romance! I have a weakness for these!
set in an exotic or unique location (i.e the jungle, mountains of Nepal, Morocco, Thailand etc. etc.)
A or with unqiue storytelling sturctures (i.e letters, drawings, unreliable narrator) Think Chopsticks or Why We Broke Up
Tweets Fav’d by Christa:
Nolan must decide whether his love for Clara is worth crossing into a parallel realm that may never let him return home.

Unreliable narrator w/ a dark secret: Ellory can’t forget the fire, fall, blood. But she’s not talking. Nonlinear

Agent: Shannon E. Powers via Mcintosh & Otis
Shannon’s MSWL:

A fun, lighter romance with a lot of quirk and deadpan humor. I loved THE FUTURE FOR CURIOUS PEOPLE by Gregory Sherl.

Mysteries with long-buried secrets. Dig them up and let the chaos ensue.

A YA about friends who do fun projects/challenges/pacts together. Kinda like THE NIGHT WE SAID YES by

Anything with a strong sense of nostalgia. I love characters who have nostalgia for their homes/each other.

On the lighter side – a YA road trip with a cool, specific premise. There are tons out there so you gotta stand out! Humor a plus.

A favorite theme: boredom/restlessness leading to trouble. Also love the troublemaker/exasperated type-A friendship combo 😀

I’m a sucker for dangerous girls. But they need to be smart and have real, tangible motives, just like the boys do

I love moments when characters look at each other thinking “What have we done?” Think THE SECRET HISTORY.

Check Shannon’s feed for the rest…

Tweets Fav’d by Shannon:
UNBROKEN+THE BODYGUARD Kidnapped in Australian Outback, teacher Kayla can pray for rescue–or fight to save her students
Every language has a word for soul. What’s inside was never in doubt. Until Bernstein’s hunt for proof found an enemy within
Born with her ancestors’ memories, she’s the weapon the rebels will kill for, and the girl one soldier will die for.

Agent: Alex Barba via Inklings Literary
Alex’s MSWL:

MG/YA historical fiction à la the old American Girl book series! Felicity, Kirsten, Addie, Samantha, Molly …

YA where witches are the protagonists

YA character-driven boy voice
Clean teen YA about that awkward teen phase
Check Alex’s feed for more…

Fav’d by Alex:

Sydney’s cheating dad & absent mother is all the drama she needs. Insert hot skateboarder & now she’s twitterpated. Great.
Dressed as a boy, Val joins an enemy crew to find her kidnapped brother & stop a war, not fall for the captain. 12TH NIGHT
Sydney’s cheating dad & absent mother is all the drama she needs. Insert hot skateboarder & now she’s twitterpated. Great.

Agent: Kelly via Corvisiero Literary Agency
Kelly’s MSWL:
I’d love a dark/gritty high fantasy. Strong female MC, w/ diversity + powerful friendships. Wit, humor, and heroine who saves herself.
Tweets Fav’d by Kelly:
Yrs ago the Void consumed the colors of the world. Now a brash girl+shy boy must work together to stop its growing darkness
 Feb 11
Dressed as a boy, Val joins an enemy crew to find her kidnapped brother & stop a war, not fall for the captain. 12TH NIGHT
Agent: Lisa Abellera via KC&A Literary Agency
Lisa’s MSWL:
2nd gen immigrant character, family issues & cultural clashes, navigating both worlds, sense of place/culture or \
Contemp or w/fantasy aspects, character discovers/gains special ability but loses it & must deal w/being in world without it
Epic sci-fi w/environmental (not dystopian), metaphysical or fantasy aspects. Dune but without the worm.
See Lisa’s Feed for more… (I’m not sure what is interesting about Dune without the worm. Dude.)
Tweets Fav’d by Lisa:
Mysterious curse wipes out family of spell-sellers. Lone survivor blackmails broke, trans thief into finding out why.
Agent: Brooks Sherman via The Bent Agency (closed to queries, but made an exception for #PitMatch!)
Brooks’s MSWL:
Seeking in ALL age categories w/ vivid world-building. Think Chronicles of Prydain, Lockwood & Co., Jonathan Strange…
A project that makes me feel like DOPE did.
A or project that touches on the experience of undocumented immigration in the USA.
Tweets Fav’d by Brooks:
For two millennia, Iblis has awaited his revenge. Can two brothers confront a dark God and still maintain their humanity?
Agent: Jennifer from Liza Dawson Associates
Jennifer’s MSWL:
Funny, maybe slightly quirky with a great voice.
Quirky specifics: or that features ballet, food, antiques, art, classic movies, debate, football, Austin, theater.
Contemporary realistic with a strong voice that stays away from melodrama. (Loves: Nina LaCour, Stephanie Perkins.)
Still yearning for a dark and twisty psychologically driven mystery/thriller.
See more on Jennifer’s Feed…
Tweets Fav’d by Jennifer:

Raine’s the sole survivor of The Sweet 16 Massacre. As conflicting memories surface, she realizes everyone lied-even her.

Agent: Kurestin Armada via PS Literary

Kurestin’s MSWL:

Fantasy (urban or otherwise) dealing with the diaspora of a magical community

I love characters that are willing to get their hands dirty to reach their goal, that are sly and cunning and ruthless

Still into retellings of fairy-tales and myths, but with some kind of twist. Different ending? Gender swapped? You tell me!

See Kurestin’s Feed for More…

Tweets Fav’d by Kurestin:

GRISHA meets GRACELING in a twisted and dark retelling of classic Russian fairytale “Ivan and the Firebird”
A Faustian deal unites an African princess and a merman. His soul is damned; her soul is leverage. THE LITTLE MERMAID redux
Agent: Mary Moore via K.C. Associates
Mary’s MSWL:
Cryptozoologist adventure caper, real world or fantasy world. Lots of monsters. Humorous. or
SciFi about human evolution set in near or far future a la Greg Bear’s DARWIN’S RADIO. Strong character development. or
Historical fiction about ballet set in NYC, Russia, or France. Preferably written by a dancer (pro or amateur). or
Historical set in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. Rich setting and diverse cast. F
For more see Mary’s Feed…
Tweets Fav’d by Mary:
A Hollywood dancing star is romanced by the secretly dying George Gershwin. Her Broadway comeback inspires modern jazz dancing.
 Feb 11
16yo must choose btwn treason & hope when a rebellion ensues aboard her starship. It’s Starfleet Academy meets King Joffrey.
Australia 1840: To save his selkie friend, Davie has to take on prison authorities, demon hunters and his self-doubt
 
In a world where they are seen as subhuman, Rhea must harness divine & political power to end her tribe’s enslavement.
 
After years of crossdressing, K goes to war to “become a man.” Instead, he befriends an enemy golem. Japan steampunk.
 
Based on Egyptian mythology, Gil must follow Ra’s clues to an ancient artifact before his world and his father are lost
GRISHA meets GRACELING in a twisted and dark retelling of classic Russian fairytale “Ivan and the Firebird”
 
Boston construction worker goes back to college and falls for her hot professor. Secret meetings +social media =trouble.

Favorited by Publishers:

 

Curiosity Quills Press

GREY’S ANATOMY+THE ROYAL WE: A surgeon can forgive Prince Cheating—and her sister—or get cabin fever with her lumbersexy ex.
Reut’s Publishing
When gamer Sunny buys a used laptop, a demonic virus on the hard drive has a game too: spread The Zer0 Maker, or die
When the Soul Stealer threatens to take stars, Esther must kill souls she’s bound to protect or lose control of the earth.
17yo girl shipwrecked in Scotland fights Laird & Selkie to get home but her rescuer steals her heart GREAT&TERRIBLE BEAUTY
— This one almost got a favorite from Agent Mandy Hubbard, but she said she’s not a Selkie fan
Jolly Fish Press
House of Cards+Macbeth.POTUS is LBJ’s fate.He doesn’t want JFK dead,but the bastard oilmen LBJ owes won’t let ’em both live

—-

AJ Comments:

Like I said before, this is by no means a complete list, as the amount of action for this contest was massive. And I think you’ll agree you’ve seen enough as it is. I had so much fun compiling it though and I learned a lot about my favorite agents and editors in the process.

I hope it helps you to better understand what agents and editors are looking for. Generally, the pitches matched pretty well with their MSWL. And if any trends can be noted, it’s the typical “YA is hot” and “magical realism” where one MSWL even asked for “Dune without the Worm” haha. I can’t imagine what’s attractive about that but okay. Oh, and let’s not forget the MSWL asking for “lesbians doing anything.” I have nothing against lesbians, but I’m sorry, that’s not the sole trademark of a bestseller. But– gotta give the people what they want, right? (I feel like I should make a Wattpad reference here. But I’ll restrain myself.)

Happy writing and congratulations to all the winners!

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