Devin Cushman's Current Query

Due to the wonders of the internet, I'm covering the query letter of a writer I've never met, even online. Devin was referred to me by Jade, who I'm sure you all recall from the other week.

I've asked him about a blog to link to, but so far I haven't heard back. Tomorrow (Tuesday) is a family day, so if I don't hear back tonight, I'll have to add his link to Wednesday's post.

UPDATE: I heard back from Devin. He does have a blog. You can find it, here. Please stop by and follow him.

UPDATE THE SECOND: Well this is embarrassing. Turns out Devin is a woman. Sorry about that! I could just edit the pronouns in the original post, but it's more honest (and much funnier) to do it this way.

Anyway, here's the letter:

Dear Agent,

I would like to submit for your consideration my young adult, science fiction novel, AMPED.

In a fiery burst of orange and purple, a solar flare erupts across the sky. Avery Lancaster can suddenly see haunting images when she’s touched. She has no idea what these images mean, and she’s not the only one with a new, freaky ability. Teenagers all across America are suddenly getting Amped.

The Flare Research Center is formed, and Flare victims are brought in for “their own” safety. No one’s calling it a prison sentence, but Avery has no intention of being used as a guinea pig. She and her friends flee into the mountains of Colorado just as winter descends.

Survival is their only goal until they meet another group of runaways. Using their unique Amps, they band together to stay alive, and hidden from the FRC agents combing the mountains. But hiding isn’t enough. They must learn why the Flare only affected teenagers.

When they discover the government is involved, they make a plan to bring the whole system down. But how can a motley group of kids take on the government? In order to stop the FRC, Avery must face her greatest fear; embracing her Amp. If she doesn’t learn to harness her power, she may lose more than her normalcy. She may lose her life.

AMPED is complete at 80,000 words. It’s the journey of a broken girl searching to find her place in a changing world. It would appeal to young adults, with its strong female voice and unique elements of survival.

When I’m not writing novels, I am a technology specialist working at an American International School in Cairo Egypt.

If you would like to consider AMPED, I’d be happy to forward the complete manuscript. I also have an outline available for potential sequels.

Sincerely,

Devin Cushman

That's it.

Please save your feedback for tomorrow, and have a great Tuesday!