The Writer's Voice 2013!!!

"The Writer's Voice" is a multi-blog, multi-agent contest hosted by Cupid of Cupid's Literary Connection, Krista Van Dolzer of Mother. Write. (Repeat). Monica B. W. of LOVE YA, and Brenda Drake of Brenda Drake Writes.

I'm in! I've made it through the first part of The Writer's Voice. Yeah, okay...it was just a lottery pick, but my name was chosen! And for those interested, here is my entry. :)


SMOKE AND ASHES Query 

Dear Awesome Agent,

Genies don’t only grant three wishes, they grant wishes for three weeks. And if their lamp breaks while they’re on assignment, they die…leaving a layer of ash and a blackened singe mark.

When sixteen-year-old Brielle gets her first assignment in Tri-Cities, Washington, she abandons her Saharan prison only to discover that someone’s out to kill her kind—one smashed lamp at a time. She needs magic to solve the mystery, but won't get it until her assigned human, Addie, makes a wish. Unfortunately, Addie isn't "the wish-making" type, more like an anti-social teen who wants nothing more than her bright pink accessories and addiction to Mountain Dew.

It’s bad enough that Brielle can’t reveal her true nature, but without magic or help from a disorganized Council, her last option is Rockafel: a smokin’ hot genie who has a history of trouble. She’d love to avoid him, but he has magic and she doesn’t want to die. With three weeks on assignment, Brielle has days left to find out who’s behind the murders before they get a hold of any more lamps—especially hers.

SMOKE AND ASHES is a YA Urban Fantasy novel complete at 67,000 words and is a standalone with series potential.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Michelle Merrill


First 250 words. 

I stared through the window at the Council Member’s back. This was the fourth time I'd come to make my request—same day each year with the same Saharan sun reflecting in the glass. That sun followed me, trapped me, hunted me with its rays, suffocating me with a constant reminder that I couldn’t leave. There was no escape.

My fingers tightened into a fist and the grains of sand pricked my skin. I lifted my arm and knocked on the window three times.

The Council Member turned around and nodded as if he expected me. Seconds later, the other two Council Member’s joined him and an argument broke out—no doubt discussing my problem but never coming to a conclusion.

Same old, same old.

I squeezed my hand tighter and slammed it against the window. They didn’t even flinch. Maybe overreacting was the only way to get something done. “Hey,” I yelled. “I’m right here. Come out and talk to me.”

Finally, they formed a single line and filed out the door.

“Happy birthday, Brielle.”

“No. It’s not. But it could be.”

One Council member cleared his throat. I held my breath and waited for him to tell me something good. 

Those few seconds felt like several minutes. “We can’t help you.”

I cursed the seven dunes and felt my hope collapse. “Can’t or won’t? It’s been four years since my lamp was put into storage by a human. I could be helping someone, getting my magic. You three can’t even figure out who’s in charge.”


And...that's it! I hope you enjoyed it! 

Thanks for stopping by.