Dear authors, readers and agents,
From time to time, I post sneak peeks from The Unwinding and A Witchbug Purpose, here. In the meantime, I’d love to connect with you. Please let me know if you are an agent or publisher and would like to see additional pages.
Let’s Connect!
Erin Kettle 
I love your first 250, that’s some excellent voice, and I love the touch about calling her mama by her proper name. Nice touch. I offer everyone a query crit, and if you’re daring, how I would have voted if I were a judge. Just give me a holler at DrFaerieGodmother.blogspot.com with your email (you can use the name (at) server dot com method if you like), and I’ll email you a crit with some specifics. if you don’t like having your email on the interwebs, just say so in the comment, and I’ll delete the comment before the bots can get it!
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Very intriguing and dramatic tale. I’m picturing Helen Mirren with an American accent as Mama already. Good Luck!
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I love the casting! Thank you! Keep writing!
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I grew up in the South and this voice settled me right in for a tale that would be filled with real emotion and the unexpected. Good Luck!
Connie
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That is so nice of you to say, thank you!
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Good luck in the competition! A lot of other entrants are hanging out at #TheWVoice, btw – join in the fun!
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Thanks so much for the heads up!!
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Hi Erin. Thought I left a comment the other day, but it seems I did not.
There’s a sweetness in your writing. Kind of maternal. I like it 🙂
I’d suggest cutting up the dialogue tag in the first sentence of the last paragraph. Maybe just say, Mrs. Charles Huntt III said. Then add the details in 1 or 2 following sentences.
Good luck! Please stop by my entry #41.
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Thank you for reading! I’m stopping by 41!
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This sounds like a really interesting read! Good luck to you!
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Thank you so much! Good luck to you too!
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Wonderful voice and great premise! Best of luck!
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Thank you, Amber!
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Sounds like a fun concept and great voice in your first 250! Good luck 🙂
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Thank you for reading! Best of luck to you!
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Well done and good luck! I’m #167 if you’re ever in the neighborhood.
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Will do and thank you! Good luck to you too, Chris!
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Great comp titles and an impressive bio! The voice in your sample was endearing… I grew up in the Deep South, and it really rang true to me. 🙂 Good luck!
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Hi Erin, I enjoy your writing, but I’m not sure how the two stories intertwine by the query. Actually, there is more about you and what has inspired you to write this than the story. Some aren’t needed and can be saved until you have a phone call with an agent, making more room for the story and conflicts. So my question is: Who are the two-stories about? Both Sammy Jo’s at different times of her life or Sammy Jo’s and her mamma’s stories? I need just a little more information. Thank you!
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Brenda, thank you for your comment! Is the best way to respond in comments? I’m happy to send via email or comment!
Both stories are about Sandy Jo in different periods of time. The first is a coming of age tale at a summer ranch, while at the same time, each chapter is alternating with her adult life where she finds herself needing to confront family issues, her friend’s disappearance and love interests. A good friend brings her back to the same ranch, to address family secrets and confront an old cowboy flame. Each story unravels a tale of Sandy Jo’s life and helps to pieces together her future.
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Thank you. This is good and gives me more of a sense of the story structure.
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I love southern stories, because I miss living in South Carolina! This is lovely. Good luck to you.
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It sounds like you have two strong female characters in this story. I’d be interested to see where they take things. Best of luck in the contest!
Rebecca
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You’re 250 are good. Normally, there’s more than one paragraph on the plot. Hook, Background/plot, plot/stakes: if she doesn’t do x, then x will happen. The paragraph after that (or the first paragraph in your query) is the information on your book. “AMERICAN HONEY is a 77,000 (romance?–oh women’s fiction.). Thank you for your time and consideration.”
You can cut the part about influential authors and already getting testimonials.
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Looks like I commented, but in the wrong place
Great entry! Love your voice!
Best of luck
BTW impressive bio.
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I really liked this, and I’m rooting for you!
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I love the southern charm in your writing. Good luck in theWVoice!
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Thank you! Best of luck to you!
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Beautiful writing, and especially after reading your response to Brenda, I think your story structure sounds great! I like the idea of tracking a woman’s story at two different points in her life. Best of luck!
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Thanks so much, Sarah! Sending positive vibes your way too!!
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Can I just say how much I love this 250? Best of luck to you!
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You just made my week, Shawn! Thank you! Best of luck to you!
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Hi fellow Oregon writer!
What I loved most was the detail about what Sandy Jo calls her mother. (“Mundane mind games, like calling Mama by her proper name, Mrs. Charles Huntt, III, kept me sane.”) I immediately get a sense of the character and her relationships. Great writing! Best of luck for this–I’ll be cheering you on. (#38)
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Yeah Oregon amazing writer! Thank you for your kind words!
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Go, Erin! I’m rooting for you!
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I love novels set in the South! Good luck to you!!
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Hi Erin!
Two stories intertwined into one? American Honey definitely piqued our interested! Brenda, Kim, and I (#TeamCoffeeHouse) were very intrigued by the voice of your writing and would love to coach you in the agent round. We have a lot of ideas for your query!
Our team knows we can offer you solid support and notes and would love to introduce you to our actual online “coffee house” of previous contest alumni who are also authors willing to give you advice on your entry as well.
If you want to know a little more about who we are as #TeamCoffeeHouse, we have a little video message for you (see next comment or check SPAM filter of your blog in case it gets lost).
Now the only question is, do you pick us?
Congrats & wishing you all the best!
Nikki, Brenda, and Kim
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Thank you so much #TeamCoffeeHouse! This is such wonderful news!
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Special video message from #TeamCoffeeHouse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqn9IPLkSY&feature=youtu.be
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Erin, I really love your writing! hope you pick us if any other coaches come knocking!
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Thank you so much, Brenda!
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Hello, Erin. We’re so happy to have you on Team Coffeehouse! Could you please send your query, 1st three chapters, and a synopsis (if you have one) to brendadrakecontests(at)gmail(dot)com? When we receive your email, we’ll send further instructions and add you to our Facebook group page. Thank you!
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I am so thrilled to be on Team Coffeehouse! I absolutely loved the video too, that made my year! I will email everything this early afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity!
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