10/02/2011
Ashley Elston (abelston on QT) has signed with agent Sarah Davies of Greenhouse Literary Agency.
On my second manuscript, I sent out a batch of queries too early. I was still waiting on comments from my critique partner and jumped the gun. I got several full requests but they passed. The manuscript just wasn’t ready. So, I did my revisions then got a second look from another critique partner. More revisions. Then I started querying again. Total query time for the second manuscript – 3 1/2 months.
Dear Ms. Davies,
The first placement sucked. The suits dropped us in some remote part of Ohio and expected us to fit right in. Found out real quick why you never hear anything interesting about Ohio.
The second placement was better. At least it was a decent city. Learned a hard lesson there. When the suits tell you not to use the Internet, you should listen.
The third placement was the longest and the hardest to leave. The suits yanked us from there minutes before my Homecoming date arrived. I still wonder how long he waited for me.
The fourth placement was the beginning of the end. I tried hard to fit in, but that led to making friends and then really awkward questions like, "What's wrong with your mom?"
The fifth placement only lasted a matter of weeks. Mom was drunk more than sober and my little sister moved into a catatonic state.
We’re in our sixth placement now. I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to pull it off, but I’m not running anymore. I’m done with Witness Protection. No matter what it takes.
THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING is a young adult contemporary novel complete at 76,000 words. The first five pages are included below. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Ashley Elston