Querying: Ryli and the Silent Song
a middle-grade fantasy novel about finding your voice
In the kingdom of Sorya, there are two kinds of magic: the ability to weave enchantments, and a single magical ability one is born with.
Twelve-year-old Ryli is a quotidian (single-gift) mage whose magical ability of silence means no one can hear her. Her magic and knowledge of sign language earns her a job translating important reports and meetings to the deaf royal mage Aeneas.
When Ryli learns her twin brother has vanished, Ryli must convince the cursed Princess Talia to let her come along on the princess’s quest to find the only other missing person– the princess’s beloved girlfriend. Not only Princess Talia is intimidating, but she’s convinced she knows best. In order to rescue her brother, Ryli will have to find her voice and learn how to speak up… even when it seems like no one is listening.
Current Project: Mother Made of Starlight
A young-adult contemporary fantasy novel about family, choices, and grief
I queried A Darkness in the Light, my speculative fiction novel about two sisters, one of whom was imbued with a mysterious golden substance for almost a year. When nothing happened, I put it in a drawer. I’ve always believed in the story, but I knew something wasn’t working. Then, after learning more and more about writing, I was able to identify some of its flaws.
Then, in a writing group meeting, it occurred to me: instead of speculative fiction, which I was trying very hard to make sure it was “speculative” enough, why not write this as a contemporary fantasy novel? The moment I looked at a mysterious glowing substance with the ability to heal people as magic, it clicked into place.
Mother Made of Starlight is a contemporary fantasy novel with starlight magic, a cozy tea shop, and one girl’s struggle to reconcile her grief over her mother’s difficult decision and trying to find her place in high school.
Current Work In Progress: Baby Magical Creatures!
A young middle grade contemporary fantasy series full of laughs and adventure
This is still early in the works! Aria and Micah, two kids whose parents are dating each other (yuck for Aria, yay for Micah!), discover baby magical creatures throughout various trips in California. Each magical baby creature must be successfully reunited with their parents without Aria and Micah getting caught, or worse, damaging their respective parents’ new romantic relationship. Because what Aria and Micah have yet to realize is that they are the family the other person needs.