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IMG_4845 - Maureen Marshall.heic
MENTOR:

Maureen Marshall (she/her)

CATEGORY:

New Adult, Adult

SUB GENRES:

Rom Com, Historical Romance, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Fiction with strong romantic elements

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BIO:

This is my third year mentoring, and I'm very excited to read the submissions! I'm a former history and English teacher who loves to travel (30 countries and counting!) and I've lived in Scotland, Sweden, and France. One of my previous mentees has been wildly successful in her publishing career and is still my ride-or-die critique partner. We'd love to add you to our circle!

I particularly love historicals, books with queer protagonists, mysterious elements, and/or best friends who become found family. I publish spicy queer historical romance as Ella Stainton (Kilty Pleasures series from Carina Press) and queer historical suspense as Maureen Marshall (The Paris Affair was released in May, 2024 from Grand Central/Hachette). My agent is Caitlin Blasdell from Liza Dawson and Associates.

I'm ADHD with a hefty side helping of anxiety, so I get it. I want to be a true mentor who can help you navigate this opaque industry to the best of my ability, and am not someone who will judge you harshly.

MSWL:

Historical and LGBTQ+ are my favorite flavors--and I am excited to read submissions that feature either or both! I am very open to speculative elements but am not the best choice for full throttle fantasy or SciFi. If your books features ghosts or magical creatures in an otherwise realistic setting, I am happy to dig in.

Things I really love to read as elements of a story:

Diversity
Ballet or other dancing
Very good pets
Travel
Wit and banter
Spice or nice sexual chemistry (but can help turn up the heat if you're so inclined to edit that way!)
History I don't know anything about or old favorites
Breathtaking prose
Twists I didn't see coming
Found family
ND protagonists/characters

Things I desperately don't need to read:

On page SA
Any sort of animal or child abuse
Secret babies
Cruelty for the sake of cruelty
Graphic descriptions of violence

Feel free to reach out of you have questions or need clarification.

MENTORING STYLE

I am open to whatever communication style works best for you--video chats with wine are my favorite, but I love DMs and emails, and could be persuaded to talk on the phone if you want!

I plan to read the entire manuscript and offer a thorough edit letter, and then can promise a deeper line edit for the first 50 pages, after revisions (with more if we have time). I am available when you need to vent, ask questions, or have your hand held. I will give it to you straight, but I've been told I can provide honest feedback with a lot of tact.

APPLICATIONS FROM CONNECTIONS

Please do not apply to me if we've ever beta read for each other or have had extensive conversations online. If we're in the same discord(s) or mutuals on social media but haven't talked more than a comment on a post here or there, feel free to apply!

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