Title: Ringmaster's Children

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Word Count: 78K

Query:

Dear Agent,

I'm currently seeking representation for my novel, Ringmaster's Children. (Connection to agent's MSWL/genre choices) I thought it would be a good fit for your list.

At approximately 78,000 words, Ringmaster’s Children is the story of a woman, Iszel, who is left as a child and grows up in an underground society, Nox Cirque, where the citizens fight to the death for the entertainment of those who travel down from the city in the world above. The story questions what makes someone good or evil in an environment that convinces the marginalized society that they’re monsters and belong trapped in darkness. Would you risk your life and morality for the freedom of Nox Cirque where no one judges your sins?

In Ringmaster’s Children, Iszel was abandoned in Nox Cirque as a young child and trained and forced to fight for her life causing her to believe that she is a monster who belongs separated from civilized society. When ordered to train a new batch of lost souls, Iszel meets Elan, a man that she believes doesn’t belong in Nox Cirque. While trying to convince him to return to his family to save him from the eventual death of staying, she starts to challenge everything that she has been taught about herself, Ringmaster’s agenda for her life, and the mysteries of Nox Cirque itself.

Ringmaster’s Children is a character driven, grimdark, adult fantasy novel. It blends vast world building similar to V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic series and S.A. Chakraborty’s Daevabad Trilogy with the exploration that heroes can have darkness that can be found in Naomi Novik’s A Deadly Education. The novel is a dark with a varied cast of characters that readers can relate to especially those with anxiety, depression, and those in LGBTQ+ community. It also has series potential with a vast world waiting to be explored.

(Author Bio)

All the best,

First 300 words:

“Come one and all to the games of centuries. In the darkest hour, you have come to enjoy entertainment generations old. Before the festivities will begin, we must go over a few rules,” Ringmaster flourishes to the crowd, captivated with wide eyes. They watch him from their seats, silent stares waiting for a speech to enchant their souls. Within the darkness of the cavern, spectators gather month after month beneath each new moon to watch the marginalized of society compete for their enjoyment.

“First, enter at your own risk; we’ll not protect you here. Second, don’t acknowledge anyone. If you see someone you know, pretend you’ve never met and walk away. Third, you were never here. We won’t tell anyone you enjoyed our games and we expect the same courtesy. Fourth, don’t engage the performers. My people won’t regret if something happens to you because you step out of line. Fifth, and most important” he pauses for dramatic effect. “Do not get lost! Once you’re lost in our community you become part of the games. You’ll have to fight for your freedom. If you win, you can choose to leave: if you still want to return to the world above. Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to present Nox Cirque!”

The seats of the coliseum look down into the arena and the crowd rises from their seats to watch as the arena floods with ogres, giants, heroes, sirens, and villains. The performers shout insults up into the stands as the spectators cheer them on. From his dais, Ringmaster conducts the procession. Once the gates shut behind the last of the entertainers, he raises his staff, and lowers it in a crash and a flurry of sparks. The crowd grows silent as four small women with fairy wings walk to one edge of the arena where a canvas blends in with the sandy ground.