2019 sample 2 -The Big Rewind

From Writers Digest

Dear Mr. McCarthy,

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There’s no feeling quite so thrilling as getting a mix tape from a crush. In No Awkward Goodbyes, that carefully-compiled selection of songs isn’t just a way to express a secret adoration—it’s a clue to a murder.  

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When a mix tape destined for her friend KitKat accidentally arrives in Jett Bennett’s mailbox, she doesn’t think twice about it—even in the age of iTunes and Spotify, the hipster residents of the Barter Street district of Brooklyn are in a constant competition to see who can be the most retro. But when she finds KitKat dead on her kitchen floor, Jett suspects the tape might be more than just a quirky collection of lovelorn ballads. And when KitKat’s boyfriend Bronco is arrested for her murder, Jett sets out to discover the real killer on an epic urban quest through strip joints and record stores, vegan bakeries and basement nightclubs. 

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No Awkward Goodbyes combines the melancholy noir of Raymond Chandler with the musical fiction of Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity, populated with characters reminiscent of Lena Dunham’s award-winning Girls. No Awkward Goodbyes is my first novel, at just over 58,000 words. I’ve written several pieces of music journalism that have seen national attention; quotes from my review of Eric Stuart’s In The County Of Kings were used in his press kit, and my essays on Wham, Morrissey, karaoke and mix CD have been published in XOJane, Pop Matters, Celebrities in Disgrace and The Battered Suitcase. Additionally, my stories have been published in Pank, Chamber Four, Big Lucks, The Big Click, Hardboiled, Connotation Press and others. I was recently named a finalist for the 2013 American Fiction prize from New Rivers Press and will be published in the subsequent anthology, and I’m currently blogging my year-long life by vintage beauty and dating guides at www.geekgirlgoesglam.com.

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I would be delighted to send a sample or full mss at your request. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you.

All the best,

Libby Cudmore

COMMENTARY FROM AGENT JIM MCCARTHY

When people ask me what “high concept fiction” is, I should just read them the opening sentence of this query. A mix tape as a clue to a murder? Sounds fresh. Definitely intriguing.

Beyond that, the remainder of Libby’s query is so clear and concise, which is great, but what sets it apart is that in such a short space she has conveyed a vividly realized setting and hinted at a strong sense of humor without resorting to one-liners or out-of-context jokes. She also manages to tease the breadth of the story without overwhelming us with detail. Only three characters are mentioned and one is the murder victim, so she’s keeping the focus very tight. Plus, we get the set-up of the murder, with a quick indication of where this goes—“Jett sets out to discover the real killer.” It’s amazing how many people choose the wrong details to share. We either get bogged down in info, or we read random facts that condensed together read like a jumbled mess. Writers don’t have to capture everything in their novel in one paragraph. This book is so much more than what is stated here. Of course it is—it’s a whole novel, and this is about 150 words. But Libby gave me a bite-sized piece that made me want to read more. That’s a lot more than I usually get.

Libby’s background in music journalism was also super intriguing, since it would surely lend some authenticity to the subject matter. And it’s so nice to see someone write a novel influenced by their background, but not about their background. If this was a novel about a music journalist by a music journalist, I would likely have rolled my eyes. But taking something in your background and using it as the inspiration for something different and exciting? That gets me.

Every piece of this query made me want to read more. And because this is a success story, we know that the material itself delivered. A great query is lovely to find. A great novel is a joy and a challenge. I’m very proud of this book, and I can’t wait for readers to discover it.

The most dangerous woman in the world

The Treasure of Trencavel

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Extract from The Prisoner of Foix--Chapter 43 -The EntranceNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley-26th April 1355

 

'Looks like we are going to see a bit of excitement, John. The Captain tried to get an agreement from the Prince that if there is surf running across the channel to Arcachon we will turn back to Bordeaux, but the Prince would hear none of it. Instead, he has offered to provide insurance for all three ships. If they are damaged or sunk, the owners will be compensated and every sailor who makes the passage will be given a bounty payment. What none of this seems to take into account is that if we sink in rough, fast-flowing waters we might all drown.'

John raised his eyebrows. 'But that is what we are going to do?'

'Yes, despite the fact that surf running accross the entrance is not uncommon and the deep water channel moves continually. In the end, the Prince attacked their captains on their weakest point, their professional pride! He threw down the gauntlet. He offered to take the Sally first through the channel, and to take control during the passage.' He raised his brow. 'We are going into the Bay of Arcachon, come what may! '

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Extract from The Eagle of Carcassone -- Chapter 24-- A Real GoddessNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley - 22 July 1355

An hour later John walked with Ximene close to the river along the valley below St Feriole. It was the very essence of a summer’s day. The sun was fierce but in the shadow of the trees, it was cool and fragrant. The trees and shrubs along the riverbank hid their progress, from the Château, from St Feriole.

Eventually they reached a point where John thought it was safe to emerge from cover. To his satisfaction the stream extended into a pool with a sandy beach, shaded by trees. Where the stream entered the pool there was a flat grassy area, almost circular. Behind this, the bulk of two mountain ridges provided a splendid backdrop. He looked around once more ‘Not just a good training ground but a great training ground. If the Greek heroes knew about this they might be tempted to join me, to train with me’

Ximene laughed out loud. He turned to look at her. She had removed her outer clothes and was wearing a white chemise, cut short so that it barely reached her knees. Around her waist, she wore a plaited leather belt, obviously fashioned from the multitude of leather straps to be found in the tackle room.

She ran her hands down over her breasts. ‘When you were unconscious I heard you muttering about gods and goddesses, so  I have decided that from now on, for you, I will be the goddess.’

Available February 2020
The Prisoner of FoixVol 1 of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

Aquitaine, an English possession, is in crisis. It is under threat from neighbouring nations and internal dissension.

The Black Prince, King Edward III’s eldest son has been given the task of taking command in Aquitaine.

Suddenly there is an opportunity. Ximene Trencavel is the heiress to the lands of Occitan, to the east of Aquitaine: lands controlled by the Franks. Ximene wants independence, both for herself and for Occitan.

A union between Aquitaine and Occitan would be mutually beneficial. The Black Prince undertakes a secret journey to meet Ximene to negotiate a marriage contract. It is, however, a marriage neither of them really wants.

Meanwhile, the  Franks plot to murder Ximene to prevent ,not just the marriage, but any kind of union between England and Occitan.

The Eagle Of CarcassonneVol II of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

The loose alliance between Ximene Trencavel and the Black Prince is under threat.

The Prince invades Occitan, to show his support for Ximene but it becomes an invasion which creates more problems than it solves.

The Prince has fallen hopelessly in love with Joan of Kent and Joan is now determined to marry him and become the next Queen of England.

Joan is therefore  determined to convince Ximene that she should not marry the Prince.

Part of her strategy is to encourage Ximene’s relationship with John Stanley—one of the Princes bodyguards—not an easy task as both John and Ximene have doubts about their compatibility.

However, John is grievously injured in a battle and Ximene commits herself to nurse him back to health.