06/15/2016
Catherine Schaff-Stump (cathschaffstump on QT) has signed with agent Mary C. Moore of Kimberley Cameron & Associates.
While traveling in Venice in 1837, Lucy Klaereon, in order to save her family’s honor and her immortal soul, decides to commit suicide by drowning herself in the Grand Canal. Unfortunately for Lucy, she is rescued. Her rescuers believe they can separate her from the demon Ra, whom she is destined to fight because of an ancient family pact. What Lucy does not know is that her rescuers have their own agenda.
On the horizon is Octavia, Lucy’s older sister, who has been trained since birth to kill Lucy when Lucy loses her battle with Ra. At the ritual to free Ra, the two sisters clash with surprising results. Octavia is possessed by Ra and Lucy is determined to free her sister and keep Ra from reshaping the world in his image.
There is one small problem. Lucy has been murdered. However, she’s not about to let a small detail like that keep her from correcting her mistakes.
The Vessel of Ra is a 76,100-word historical fantasy, similar to the Glamourist histories of Mary Robinette Kowal, Aliette de Bodard's House of Shattered Wings, and Susannah Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Dark in tone, The Vessel of Ra contains Gothic and horror elements.
My most recent publications are "Mountains of Green" in The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk, and "Cookies" in Mosaics 2: A Collection of Independent Women. "One in Four Adults" will soon be posted at Drabblecast. My novel Hulk Hercules: Professional Wrestler is available from Cats Curious Press.
I am an associate member of SFWA, and am an alumna of both the Viable Paradise and Taos Toolbox workshops.Also, I am a co-host of the Unreliable Narrators podcast.
As you requested, I'm attaching a one-page synopsis and the first 50 pages.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.