Here is the pitch:
Spoiler
It’s supposed to be Molly’s trip of a lifetime: two weeks in the Philippines to forget about high school, forget about her unattainable crush, and try to make a difference.
One week in, her group is kidnapped at gunpoint.
Held for ransom in an island jungle and guarded by a rebel militia, Molly has to decide if she’s going to be a docile prisoner waiting for release, or if she’s going to take matters into her own hands. Every day is spent cooking or tending fires for their captors while avoiding torrential downpours and enormous insects. To keep hope alive in her darkest moments, Molly clings to memories of Noah, an old friend she’s quietly loved for years.
When news of the kidnapping reaches home, friends and family are left reeling. Noah begins to realize he might have chosen the wrong future; Molly’s socially anxious best friend starts a Facebook campaign to free her; and the journalist girlfriend of another captive brings vital attention to the case.
As the weeks in the jungle begin to add up, Molly struggles to maintain hope that she’ll ever make it out alive. Her friends are rallying hard for her release, but the deadly Filipino army is closing in, and her captors have started breaking their promises. If the ransom money doesn’t arrive soon, Molly’s group will be caught in the line of fire.
[Trigger warning: there's rape. (Implied and described in some detail).]
One week in, her group is kidnapped at gunpoint.
Held for ransom in an island jungle and guarded by a rebel militia, Molly has to decide if she’s going to be a docile prisoner waiting for release, or if she’s going to take matters into her own hands. Every day is spent cooking or tending fires for their captors while avoiding torrential downpours and enormous insects. To keep hope alive in her darkest moments, Molly clings to memories of Noah, an old friend she’s quietly loved for years.
When news of the kidnapping reaches home, friends and family are left reeling. Noah begins to realize he might have chosen the wrong future; Molly’s socially anxious best friend starts a Facebook campaign to free her; and the journalist girlfriend of another captive brings vital attention to the case.
As the weeks in the jungle begin to add up, Molly struggles to maintain hope that she’ll ever make it out alive. Her friends are rallying hard for her release, but the deadly Filipino army is closing in, and her captors have started breaking their promises. If the ransom money doesn’t arrive soon, Molly’s group will be caught in the line of fire.
[Trigger warning: there's rape. (Implied and described in some detail).]
Before we go too much further, I want to make one point very clear: I take writing and revising very seriously. This is my third draft and I've been working on this off and on for years. I want to traditionally publish this novel - as in I want to acquire a literary agent who will lead me to an editor and a publishing house.
I sent out round of test queries earlier in the year and heard nothing back, and I'm looking to revise and try again. At this point, I've read this novel so many times I'm not confident I can look at it with fresh eyes anymore. I've gotten some good feedback from friends, but I would like some more
If you would like to help me out, here is what I'm looking for:
1. I want you to test read - meaning I want you to read the entire thing through once like you would if you picked this book up from the library. When you're done, I would like your overall feedback (like if you were going to write a book review). Did you like it or not? And why?
2. I want you to beta read - meaning I want you to go back through and make comments wherever you see fit (big picture things, little picture things, whatever you think it needs).
3. Extremely honest feedback. If you think it's the absolute worst thing you've ever read, don't spare my feelings. Tell me (and say why). I want all of your thoughts.
If you have a project you're working on, or you would like feedback on anything at all, I would happy to extend this exact same service to you.
I would prefer people that love reading young adult novels (especially YA contemporary).
If you're interested, please comment here or send me a PM. I can send you the first chapter so we can determine whether or not it's a good fit and then we can go from there.
Thanks in advance!
