K.C. Karr

Twitter: @kacimari

Website: www.KCKarr.com

Agent: Ali Herring – Spencerhill Associates

Published books: OUT ON SUBMISSION

Genre: YA Contemporary, YA Contemporary with spec elements

Bio: K.C. Karr writes about brave teenagers and unfortunate situations. By day, K.C. is a sonographer, coffee addict, and proud member of SCBWI and the Flint Area Writers group. K.C. is repped by Ali Herring at Spencerhill Associates.

Experience: A former Pitch Wars mentee, I know what it’s like to enter and “win” a contest such as #WriteMentor. I’m currently working toward becoming a certified book coach through Author Accelerator. I’ve worked in many different capacities in the writing world, including as an editor and social media director for literary anthologies and magazines. I’ve taken Lisa Cron’s Story Genius classes, where I learned how to deconstruct story down into the most basic and essential elements, a skill I’m excited to share with a mentee. I’ve also attended several workshops and revision courses to broaden my critique and editing skills.
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Mentoring style: I’m very hands-on and direct when it comes to editing and critique. My review of your manuscript will include both broad and specific suggestions using Track Changes in Word. I’m not one to sugar coat things, but I will definitely point out things that wow me! I expect to work through your manuscript in stages, with a big edit letter up front (if needed), and then smaller, more nitpicky things once the rewrite is finished. I expect to read your manuscript at least three times. We will also make several passes of your query letter and synopsis to ensure they’re ready once the agent round comes.
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I am here for you! Feel free to send me panicked emails, questions, or just ramble in my direction. This path is SO HARD, and I’ve been there. I’m STILL there. I want to make this experience as helpful as possible and give you as much insight into publishing as I can. I hope our relationship will long outlast the confines of #WriteMentor.

Mentee style: I want a mentee who’s ready to work. #WriteMentor is an awesome opportunity, but a writer will only succeed by putting in the time and effort to improve their manuscript. Publishing is only for those who don’t give up. Don’t let this scare you off. I’m here to be your cheerleader, your shoulder to cry on, and the one with the tough love. I expect you to take your career as seriously as I will.

What kind of novel would you like to work on? My soft spot is YA Contemporary or YA Contemporary with spec elements. I lean more toward dark and gritty over light and fluffy. Think sarcastic self-deprecating humor over silly humor. Romance is fine, but I prefer romantic elements over stories that focus solely on romantic relationships. I love issue books or anything that will make me see the world differently. I want clear stakes and a breathless emotional journey. Send me your tough topics, suicide, mental illness, terminal illness, dealing with grief, self-esteem, etc. I would love to see manuscripts that explore diverse sexuality or gender issues that aren’t necessarily the sole focus of the novel. Marginalized voices, #ownvoices. Stories that take tropes and turn them upside down.
Some topics that are near and dear to me: dancers (contemporary, ballet, etc), diabetes, anxiety, boy friendships, music, animals (don’t send me something if you kill an animal in it), team sports, underdogs, and political activism. I read widely. If you write YA Contemporary of any sort, I probably want to read it.

Favourite novels: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (Really, anything by Adam Silvera but especially the ones with spec. He is GOLD!), The Fault in our Stars by John Green, If I Stay by Gayle Forman, anything by Rainbow Rowell, Jennifer Niven, Nicola Yoon or Robyn Schneider.

Mentoring package offered: Full manuscript and redrafts until submission ready

Find out more about what K.C. Karr is looking for here.

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