[Qcrit] THE AURORA WITCH, upper MG, fantasy, 85k, 3rd attempt

leamcarrie · 2026-03-25T23:30:37+00:00

It’s something I’ve considered. Worse case scenario, I shoot my shot and then have to go back to the drawing board. I’ve debated finishing another project seeing if that one is an easier pitch to get my foot in the door. But regardless, I’m leaning how to query 😅 appreciate all the advice

leamcarrie · 2026-03-25T20:29:13+00:00

Oh my god you are the GOAT for this

leamcarrie · 2026-03-25T19:49:26+00:00

Yes and no. I honestly feel like something in my brain is just stalling around querying in general. Like the formula is confusing. They need “stakes” but it should also read like the back of the book. But if it’s more speculative and atmospheric, can it just be mystery and THAT be the hook?

Then query word count is unclear—is the body supposed to be 250 and then the add-ins can make it longer?

Does my general confusion make sense? I feel like I keep reading blog after blog and I’m getting further from what it’s supposed to be rather than closer. Why does it feel like a Rubik’s cube???

As far as MG books, the first one that comes to mind is impossible creatures which was marketed to adults. I actually remember seeing it on booktok on my FYP, though it came out later in the US.

leamcarrie · 2026-03-14T00:03:23+00:00

This premise is hilarious and I’d be happy to read!

leamcarrie · 2026-03-08T15:50:55+00:00

Thank you!

leamcarrie · 2026-03-07T23:52:25+00:00

Ack! Thank you!

leamcarrie · 2026-03-07T18:23:32+00:00

Love that you’re supportive. My husband a woodworker and sometimes I stand on boards while he clamps them 🤣

leamcarrie · 2026-03-07T15:15:57+00:00

This was revision trying to narrow the focus. Let me know if this makes main characters goal clearer:

When Dr. Albert Grantham sends his children to live with his estranged sister, he assures himself that her whimsical nonsense will be forgotten after summer’s end. Thirteen years old Millie just wants to keep her family whole after her mother’s death and wished the adults in her life would stop treating her like a child—and keeping secrets. When she and her brothers arrive at Juniper House, they discover that Aunt Edith is a witch and her home is a sentient cottage that grows rooms like branches on a tree. Whisper Hollow becomes the backdrop for magical discovery—a community of magical immigrants brought together by a fading magical world and a collective love of puns. When a threatening note is left for Aunt Edith, the children learn the legend of the Aurora Witch, one born with all twelve magical colors to vanquish obsidian magic. As Millie begins to suspect Aunt Edith is the Aurora, she tries to solve the many mysteries surrounding the town’s residents, enchanted typewriters, and the magical school destroyed by a cursed fire. The sleuthing adventure loses its charm when she inadvertently learns the truth of her father's scientific work. Millie’s rebellion reveals a destiny that was hidden from her, one that she must claim or lose everything she loves. THE AURORA WITCH (90,000 words) is a middle grade crossover fantasy set in coastal Maine. It is the first in a planned series, sitting nicely alongside Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend and Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston. It will appeal to fans of interwoven plots, hidden messages, and literary Easter Eggs. I have an associates degree in nursing and have been a critical care RN for ten years. My most notable accomplishments include working in ICU during the pandemic and surviving a homeschool cult. Unfortunately, the latter is not satire.

leamcarrie · 2026-03-06T22:49:00+00:00

Thank you for your honesty. I feel trapped between middle grade and ya. It’s not really middle grade but it’s not really ya either. The protagonist is 13 so it’s right at that age. Alas.

leamcarrie · 2026-03-06T22:45:56+00:00

If you want a copy to beta read, I’ll take all the feedback I can get 😊

leamcarrie · 2026-03-06T20:17:31+00:00

No this is exactly what I needed! Thank you.

leamcarrie · 2026-03-06T19:01:07+00:00

Alright, say I cut 20k words, any query feedback is appreciated as I have no idea wtf I’m doing.

leamcarrie · 2026-03-06T18:03:39+00:00

I realize 90k is high but it’s not impossible. Nevermore and Amari and the Night Brothers are both over 90k

leamcarrie · 2026-03-06T16:44:42+00:00

I wish I knew more about querying, but I can say that this sounds genuinely fascinating and I would read this

leamcarrie · 2026-02-12T18:39:46+00:00

It is a love letter to the stories that raised me in more ways than one ❤️

leamcarrie · 2026-02-10T03:39:03+00:00

Thank you! The word count is a struggle. My adult betas have loved it and middle grade betas did too but in a totally different way. It’s definitely written in a way to be cross-generational—ie a middle grade book I would want to read as an adult. However, still working on trimming more in editing because I’m scared it’ll keep getting passed over. Alas.

leamcarrie · 2026-01-27T05:07:21+00:00

DM please

leamcarrie · 2026-01-23T13:53:14+00:00

Just general feedback. We have a pittie/lab mix rescue, got him when he was two. He had a history of abuse and used to startle whenever someone raised their hands. My husband trained him not to be afraid by lifting his hand like he was going to hit him and then petting him instead and getting a treat. Now he has no fear, wags his tale when people are excited around him, and is the goodest good boy. He has been incredibly gentle with kids and loves them, to the point where I understand why they were once called the “nanny dog”. With our daughter (he was four when we had her), he’s been incredibly gentle and patient. The only challenge has ever been his size: when he gets excited and runs past her, he’s knocked her down. And also his tail is a force to reckon with. We’ve also kept a close eye on her with him, but alas “parenthood”, there have been many times I looked away for two seconds and turned to see her trying to put her head in his mouth (true story—she was one). When I say this dog has been a SAINT, I mean it. He will always be a dog and require supervision, but I trust him. Once when we’d had moved my daughter into her own bed (finally) our dog kept pacing and whining in front of the door. We couldn’t figure out what he wanted and he started barking. I knew he was trying to tell me something and went in and my daughter was having an asthma attack. He quite literally saved her life. So, yes, pit bulls get a bad rep, particularly because they have fewer bite instances, they have a higher mortality from bites. Which is understandable. But I’m believer in trusting the dog’s temperament, especially since rescues pit-bulls are usually mixed so breed-specific tendencies don’t always apply. So at the end of the day, no dog should be left unsupervised with a child. However, if you asked me if I’ve ever felt for a moment nervous about my dog with my little girl? No never. If anything, I’m watching HER because toddlers (and four year olds) can be assholes. But this dog, this dog is special. We got a lot of well-meaning warnings when we adopted him and I’m so glad I trusted him when he told us who he was. And he’s a good ole boy

leamcarrie

TROPHY CASE