Psst! Hey buddy! Wanna read a query?

[lizvogel]

I think I revised my query about seventeen times at LTUE, with every person I got feedback from contradicting the one before. *headdesk* Despite that, and thanks to an effing brilliant suggestion by the housemate, I think I've actually got something I can use here. Am I right? If you feel so inclined, please take a look and tell me if I've hopelessly confused you somewhere.

Kearsley Coldwater always knew her Aunt Mayville was formidable, but when ninjas literally crash the garden club tea party, even she's surprised when her prim and proper aunt wipes the floor with them. It isn't until Aunt Mayville calls in her former partner Aubrey DeAugustine that Kearsley learns her aunt used to be a spy -- and the ninjas were sent by their old nemesis, the interplanetary underworld boss known as the "bat smuggler".

But Aunt Mayville is retired, so why would the bat smuggler think she was a ninja-worthy threat now? The old partners set off across the galaxy to find out, and as a potential trainee spy, Kearsley jumps at the chance to go with them. As they survive killer banana maki, battle a homicidal cyborg platypus, and avoid being eaten by a grue, Kearsley learns there's more to being an interstellar intelligence operative than cool gadgets and absurd paperwork. They finally track the bat smuggler to his lair, but find there's something very wrong with the Altarian puff-bats that gave him his sobriquet, and possibly with the space-time continuum itself. Can the team right what's wrong and bring the bat smuggler to justice at last? And will Kearsley be able to mind her manners to her aunt's satisfaction in the process?

I am seeking representation for AND THE KITCHEN SINK, a lighthearted space opera complete at 86,000 words. It is a standalone novel with series potential. AND THE KITCHEN SINK is what might have happened if Douglas Adams and Tom Holt had a love child who went back in time to write for the classic British TV series =The Avengers=. My short fiction has been published in Daily Science Fiction, Analog, and the anthology We're The Weird Aliens, among others. I've included the first [whatever they asked for] of AND THE KITCHEN SINK below; if it sounds like your cup of tea, I'd be happy to send you more. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Constructive criticism is welcome.

Comments

[fred_mouse]

no criticism, constructive or otherwise, just wanted to say that I got to " and avoid being eaten by a grue, " and laughed.

[lizvogel]

That's one goal achieved, then. ;-) Thanks!

query

[(Anonymous)]

No suggestions.
LOVE IT! So clear and zippy and fun.
Peggy

Re: query

[lizvogel]

Thanks! I might finally be onto something here....

[lizvogel]

Thanks! Doing both of those simultaneously sounds... challenging, but I shall give it a go.

"Madcap" - I like that!