The Library of Lost Things
BY laura taylor nameyinkyard2019Query Letter
I’m seeking representation for my young adult contemporary romance, PAPERBACK MIDNIGHT. On the #MSWL tag on twitter, I noticed you’d love to see a story featuring a “pining” romance, as well as the topic of hoarding and its effects on the family. My novel centers on both.
In PAPERBACK MIDNIGHT, seventeen-year-old literary genius, Darcy, builds an ink and paper bomb shelter, living in books and fairy tale settings to escape her mother’s hoarding. She lies, even to friends, to protect her home and the secret behind her front door. When a new apartment manager becomes more active in the upkeep of their building, Darcy must confront the hoard without driving her mother deeper under an avalanche of things, losing her for good.
As Darcy seeks the truth behind her mother’s compulsive shopping, she meets a teen pilot–– grounded after a car accident re-writes his future. She’s instantly moved by his tragic tale. But Darcy, a girl who’s only had book boyfriends, must leave the safety of re-read happy endings and trusted book characters the more she’s drawn to him. Unlocking her mother’s illness and finally securing her own love story requires Darcy to stop lying and start living her own truth. Even if it’s messy.
PAPERBACK MIDNIGHT is a young adult contemporary romance complete at 80,000 words. It would appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen’s Saint Anything. The story structure and lyrical style are reminiscent of Huntley Fitzpatrick’s writing in What I Thought Was True.
I am a graduate of the Algonkian Author Salon novel writing program and was recently a finalist in the 2017 #pitchmadness Twitter contest. I’m also a former educator and currently the author of a teen lifestyle blog. I interact daily with my target audience.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Query Stats
Number of Queries Sent
15
Number of Full Requests Received
10
Number of Offers of Representation
2
Number of Months Spent Querying This Novel
3 months
Years Spent Writing Before Getting an Offer
2
Number of Manuscripts Queried Before This One
1
Publication Status of The Book Queried
Published (Big 5)
Note to Querying Writers:
My book sold under a different title.