Melanie is querying
LightNews LightNews
melanielocke.bsky.social
Melanie is querying
@melanielocke.bsky.social
490 followers 440 following 270 posts
SFF Writer. Queer. #actuallyautistic . Vegan. '24 RTM mentee. She/they
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
melanielocke.bsky.social
Melanie is querying @melanielocke.bsky.social · 5d
Putting all my #questpit pitches together in one post

First of all, my querying project with a fake Chosen One:
melanielocke.bsky.social Melanie is querying @melanielocke.bsky.social · 5d
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR

👁️ a gay seer burdened with saving the world
🚒 a butch lesbian firefighter he convinces she's the Chosen One
😱 a Fear based apocalypse set to end everything

Without a real Chosen One, what could possibly go wrong?

#Questpit #A #F #LGBT #ND #Q
Opening page to agent's guide. Text: Agent's guide to You are Not the Chosen One, an adult queer fantasy by Melanie Locke. Placed at the center of an artdeco frame with black and golden coloring Part two of the agent's guide. Artdeco background with black and gold. Pitch: When Seer Cass learns there's no Chosen One to save the world from a Fear based apocalypse, he tells firefighter Esti she's the Chosen One. If she ever learns he lied, the world will end. Comps on the right with covers and a poster. The Umbrella Academy season 1 poster, the Last Hour between World, the Raven Scholar, Dark Rise. Snippet. Same background as previous picture, with messy paper on top. Text: “How did it feel?” she asked, voice soft. Careful. For a moment he looked at her, eyes like broken glass. He sat up, fists clenched. “Bad! It feels fucking bad, okay? But it doesn’t matter. If I have to kill one man to save a village then that is what I will do. You can’t save the world without getting blood on your hands. And the worst thing is, it didn’t even work.” Esti didn’t know what to say. Cass stared into the distance, arms wrapped tight around his body. He’d never looked so small before. And yet Esti knew what he was capable of. It mattered little how he felt, his sorrow didn’t bring the mayor back. And perhaps he would have died no matter what. Perhaps Cass had done the best he could in impossible circumstances. But Esti couldn’t forget he’d murdered a man in cold blood. “I didn’t ask for this, you know.” Bitterness spilled out like a basilisk’s venom. “Being the seer meant to stop the Fear, having only one year left.”
melanielocke.bsky.social
Putting all my #questpit pitches together in one post

First of all, my querying project with a fake Chosen One:
melanielocke.bsky.social Melanie is querying @melanielocke.bsky.social · 5d
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR

👁️ a gay seer burdened with saving the world
🚒 a butch lesbian firefighter he convinces she's the Chosen One
😱 a Fear based apocalypse set to end everything

Without a real Chosen One, what could possibly go wrong?

#Questpit #A #F #LGBT #ND #Q
Opening page to agent's guide. Text: Agent's guide to You are Not the Chosen One, an adult queer fantasy by Melanie Locke. Placed at the center of an artdeco frame with black and golden coloring Part two of the agent's guide. Artdeco background with black and gold. Pitch: When Seer Cass learns there's no Chosen One to save the world from a Fear based apocalypse, he tells firefighter Esti she's the Chosen One. If she ever learns he lied, the world will end. Comps on the right with covers and a poster. The Umbrella Academy season 1 poster, the Last Hour between World, the Raven Scholar, Dark Rise. Snippet. Same background as previous picture, with messy paper on top. Text: “How did it feel?” she asked, voice soft. Careful. For a moment he looked at her, eyes like broken glass. He sat up, fists clenched. “Bad! It feels fucking bad, okay? But it doesn’t matter. If I have to kill one man to save a village then that is what I will do. You can’t save the world without getting blood on your hands. And the worst thing is, it didn’t even work.” Esti didn’t know what to say. Cass stared into the distance, arms wrapped tight around his body. He’d never looked so small before. And yet Esti knew what he was capable of. It mattered little how he felt, his sorrow didn’t bring the mayor back. And perhaps he would have died no matter what. Perhaps Cass had done the best he could in impossible circumstances. But Esti couldn’t forget he’d murdered a man in cold blood. “I didn’t ask for this, you know.” Bitterness spilled out like a basilisk’s venom. “Being the seer meant to stop the Fear, having only one year left.”
January 31, 2026 at 8:01 PM
melanielocke.bsky.social
🧙 The Era of Mages, where magic slowly kills its wielders and a mage and his partner seek to end this

🔬 The Era of Science, where magic researchers must end a Blight ravaging all that lives

Tragedy connects these eras, and only untangling its roots can save the world

#Questpit #A #F #LGBT #ND #W
January 31, 2026 at 3:53 PM
melanielocke.bsky.social
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR

👁️ a gay seer burdened with saving the world
🚒 a butch lesbian firefighter he convinces she's the Chosen One
😱 a Fear based apocalypse set to end everything

Without a real Chosen One, what could possibly go wrong?

#Questpit #A #F #LGBT #ND #Q
Opening page to agent's guide. Text: Agent's guide to You are Not the Chosen One, an adult queer fantasy by Melanie Locke. Placed at the center of an artdeco frame with black and golden coloring Part two of the agent's guide. Artdeco background with black and gold. Pitch: When Seer Cass learns there's no Chosen One to save the world from a Fear based apocalypse, he tells firefighter Esti she's the Chosen One. If she ever learns he lied, the world will end. Comps on the right with covers and a poster. The Umbrella Academy season 1 poster, the Last Hour between World, the Raven Scholar, Dark Rise. Snippet. Same background as previous picture, with messy paper on top. Text: “How did it feel?” she asked, voice soft. Careful. For a moment he looked at her, eyes like broken glass. He sat up, fists clenched. “Bad! It feels fucking bad, okay? But it doesn’t matter. If I have to kill one man to save a village then that is what I will do. You can’t save the world without getting blood on your hands. And the worst thing is, it didn’t even work.” Esti didn’t know what to say. Cass stared into the distance, arms wrapped tight around his body. He’d never looked so small before. And yet Esti knew what he was capable of. It mattered little how he felt, his sorrow didn’t bring the mayor back. And perhaps he would have died no matter what. Perhaps Cass had done the best he could in impossible circumstances. But Esti couldn’t forget he’d murdered a man in cold blood. “I didn’t ask for this, you know.” Bitterness spilled out like a basilisk’s venom. “Being the seer meant to stop the Fear, having only one year left.”
January 31, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
d-and-a-authors.bsky.social
Once Upon A Broken Heart x Daughter Of No Worlds x Dark Water Daughter

A maid and a pirate hunting for a mythical stone spark a budding romance, but when his past threatens their mission & her bff's life, she must betray her heart to save her friend.

#QuestPit #NA #RF #Editing
An agent guide for The Siren's Call by Danielle Bradbury and Ashlea P Screaton. A new adult slowburn romantasy. Pitch: Delphine dreams of adventure, but usually pays for it in bruises. Pirate captain Osian offers an escape to sea, but she won't leave without her best friend, Otto. Her escape seems dead in the water, until Otto is sent with the pirates to pursue a legendary Stone, and she will not be left behind. Reunited on the waves, Osian and Delphine's spark strengthens. Then a deception within the crew locks a cruel enemy from Osian's past onto their tail, one who will stop at nothing to end his life. While Osian is eager to forget the reward, the pirates want Otto's life if the mission fails. Delphine must decide whether to trust the man she's falling for, or betray him to save Otto. Comp Titles: Once Upon A Broken Heart (Stephanie Garber) - Cocky but hopelessly romantic love interest - Selfless heroine sacrificing all for love - Magic and myths - Betrayal - True slow burn romance Daughter Of No Worlds (Carissa Broadbent) - Reluctant allies to lovers - Broken love interest with a scarring secret - Male yearning - Betrayal - Hidden rage & trauma Dark Water Daughter (H. M. Long) - High stakes survival and adventure - Critical quest fuelled by legend - Changing loyalty - Pirate fantasy - Sea myths & magical creatures Snippet: “Would you? Have regretted it, I mean?” Their eyes met. Delphine pinned him with her expectant stare, and he worried again whether she could rummage around his mind for the answers she sought. What could he say? She’d no doubt find him obsessive if he told her the truth – how he’d spent so many waking moments wondering if she remembered their one dance as fondly as he did, when moonlight had clung to her hair and tickled her face as she’d taunted him beneath the stars. How he’d been so relieved to see her on board his ship, in a way he couldn’t put into words. How he hadn’t managed to get rid of the smell of sugar since meeting her, and didn’t want to. Would he have regretted her kiss? “No, Ceraid.” He swallowed, shuffling under the weight of the question. “I could have never regretted it.”
January 31, 2026 at 10:12 AM
melanielocke.bsky.social
GODKILLER x WITCH KING

🏰 An empire built on hatred of demons
🗡️ An escaped demon assassin
🏛️ A condemned priest
❤️ And the newly born god of Love

Together, they must return compassion to the world. But Love is a dangerous force, and its god is no different.

#Questpit #A #F #DF #W #LGBT
Moodboard. Top left: piece of antler against lack background. Top middle: lit candles against black surface. Top right: bloodied white rose on white surface. Middle left: Dark picture of knight with helmet atop a horse. Middle: red moon and clouds against a dark sky. Middle right: piece of a cathedral against dark cloudy sky. Bottom left: blue glowing mushrooms against dark background. Bottom middle: pair of hands held up in prayer. Bottom right: supply of herbs and crystals in a basket for witchcraft
January 31, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
emmacarelli.bsky.social
It’s been a long journey getting here. Details on the agency to come at a later time, but I am now officially agented! (I think my ghost hunters are taking the news with the utmost grace.)

#amwriting #amquerying #amagented
Group of six misfit ghost hunters huddled around a laptop. One looks excited. The rest are bewildered. One accidentally spills his coffee. The words, “announcement of literary representation” are above them.
January 16, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
bmhughes.bsky.social
This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥
December 1, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
jayvikfatbearsweek.bsky.social
Save the date!

Fat Bears Week will be running from Feb. 14-20. We’ll be back soon with our prompts!

#jayvik #jayvikfatbearsweek
November 6, 2025 at 1:59 AM
melanielocke.bsky.social
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR

👁️ a gay seer determined to fake it till he makes it
🚒 a butch lesbian firefighter who thinks she's the Chosen One
😱 a Fear based apocalypse set to end the world

Without a real Chosen One, what could possibly go wrong?

#Questpit #A #F #LGBT #ND #Q
Opening page to agent's guide. Text: Agent's guide to You are Not the Chosen One, an adult queer fantasy by Melanie Locke. Placed at the center of an artdeco frame with black and golden coloring Part two of the agent's guide. Artdeco background with black and gold. Pitch: When Seer Cass learns there's no Chosen One to save the world from a Fear based apocalypse, he tells firefighter Esti she's the Chosen One. If she ever learns he lied, the world will end. Comps on the right with covers and a poster. The Umbrella Academy season 1 poster, the Last Hour between World, the Raven Scholar, Dark Rise. Snippet. Same background as previous picture, with messy paper on top. Text: “How did it feel?” she asked, voice soft. Careful. For a moment he looked at her, eyes like broken glass. He sat up, fists clenched. “Bad! It feels fucking bad, okay? But it doesn’t matter. If I have to kill one man to save a village then that is what I will do. You can’t save the world without getting blood on your hands. And the worst thing is, it didn’t even work.” Esti didn’t know what to say. Cass stared into the distance, arms wrapped tight around his body. He’d never looked so small before. And yet Esti knew what he was capable of. It mattered little how he felt, his sorrow didn’t bring the mayor back. And perhaps he would have died no matter what. Perhaps Cass had done the best he could in impossible circumstances. But Esti couldn’t forget he’d murdered a man in cold blood. “I didn’t ask for this, you know.” Bitterness spilled out like a basilisk’s venom. “Being the seer meant to stop the Fear, having only one year left.”
November 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
arlenrenwrites.bsky.social
He's the only thing standing between college students and certain death. Unfortunately, teen monster hunter Daniel is responsible for more civilian deaths than monster kills, and unless he can find the key to a power he doesn't believe in, his new friends will pay the price...

#QuestPit #YA #Q #UF
a picture of two teenage monster hunters - a white boy with white hair and an Asian girl with black and blonde hair - by artist iLiibra, next to the title "An Agent's Guide to The Tithe That Binds by Arlen Ren" YA. Paranormal. 78k. When an inept teen monster hunter is sent undercover to a prestigious college, he's horrified to discover that he's the only thing standing between its students and certain death. Failing to find his power, he instead finds a girl with powers she shouldn't have...who he shouldn't be falling for. Longlisted in the 2024 Times Chicken House competition. It was crouched on the edge of the building, instantly recognisable by its ashen skin and lipless mouth, eyeless sockets and gleaming fangs. Vampire. For fans of Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, The Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski, and First Kill by V.E. Schwab. Shared themes are monsters drawn to hunters, forbidden feelings, action-packed fight sequences and a secret monster-hunting society.
November 5, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
qqueenlyart.bsky.social
A Certain Hunger X Diavola

Critical Position's first #Agentguide

🫀Why choose love triangle
🫀Misogyny in chess
🫀Eat the rich like that one Dutch minister
🫀Too many beds and using none of them

#H #R #A #W #Questpit
Title "Critical positions" with subtitle "a horror novel (with romance)" over a background of a filled dinner table On the left is a brown and red moodboard and on the right is a pitch for the novel critical positions
November 5, 2025 at 12:15 PM
melanielocke.bsky.social
A dying mage and his lover research a way to wield magic without killing mages, but tragedy leaves them separated, soulless and immortal. Centuries later, two magic scientists must retrace their mistakes and help them die before their pain consumes the world.

#Questpit #A #F #LGBT #ND #W
Moodboard. Top left: wooden staff standing against pillar. Top right: misty greenhouse. Middle: crystal in a hand. Middle right: tropical plants. Bottom left: spiral staircase in library. Bottom middle: open book. Bottom right: typewriter on desk.
November 5, 2025 at 11:58 AM
melanielocke.bsky.social
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR

Firefighter Esti's dream came true when seer Cass told her she's the Chosen One. Unfortunately, she doesn't know he lied. But chosen or not, if Esti cannot complete Cass's quest, a fear based apocalypse consumes the world.

#DVpit #A #F #ND #LGBT
October 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM
melanielocke.bsky.social
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR

👁️ a seer who can't find his Chosen One
🚒 a butch lesbian firefighter who believes she's the Chosen One
😱 a Fear based apocalypse that will end the world within a year

What could possibly go wrong?

#DVpit #A #F #LGBT #ND
October 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
melanielocke.bsky.social
When seer Cass learns there’s no Chosen One to save the world from a Fear magic based apocalypse, he tells firefighter Esti she’s the Chosen One. If she ever learns he lied, the world will end.

#DVpit #A #F #LGBT #ND
October 8, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
narnetty-pascetti.bsky.social
With the release of 3 different books that started as fanfic for *that* series, there's something I need to get off my chest, and I guess I'll do it as my official stance on the matter. A 🧵
September 29, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
sierrabranham.bsky.social
The cover for my debut SF sapphic romantic thriller is now out in the world!

Credit for the gorgeous artwork goes to Artem Chebokha!
August 27, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
jalwrites.bsky.social
An #editors guide to:

EAST END BOYS AND WEST END GIRLS.
My adult contemporary road-trip RomCom featuring drag queen debauchery, melancholic yearning, and dark familial secrets in all four corners.

HERE WE GO AGAIN x IT'S A SIN

#Editors #OnSub
A dark background with a drag queen present. The text reads EDITOR'S GUIDE. EAST END BOYS AND WEST END GIRLS. JAMES A LYONS. 82,000 WORDS. ADULT CONTEMPORARY LGBTQ+ ROMCOM. REP: INTERSAGA LITERARY AGENCY A dark background with a drag queen present. The text reads: PITCH. On a road trip to reconnect four iconic members of his estranged late uncle’s drag troupe, a young gay man uncovers the dark truth about his adoptive mother. When a romance with his co-driver blossoms, further family secrets emerge that could threaten his future, leaving him to choose — his uncle’s legacy or the woman who raised him. A dark background with a drag queen present. Down the left are the covers for the books Here We Go Again and Boy Queen, and the TV series It's a Sin. The text reads: road trip, forced proximity, found family, LGBTQ+ history, drag humour, secrets. A dark background with a drag queen along with the snippet: “Richard will be happy. He always worries no one will come to his drag events, but every time they’re packed out.” “What time does he get here?” I ask. She does a weird backward nod towards a doorway next to the printer. “Richard, you’ve got your first quizzers already.” Her eyes reconnect with mine. “He probably isn’t in the office. He’s having terrible trouble with his back passage today. Council haven’t collected the bins again so it’s filthy.” She’s wrong. From the doorway, a queen strides into view. His tall wig reaches high. One arm is stretched against the frame, the other on his hip. The dress is mermaid green with dashes of gold like individual lightning bolts. In his mouth, a long cigarette holder sits empty. His dark eyeshadow makes his ocean blue eyes pop from their sockets. Everything in my peripheral vision is sucked away. The queen strides elegantly across the reception in ruby red, knee length platforms, before sitting side-saddle on the desk. He clicks his tongue twice as he looks us up and down. “Hi boys.” His voice is sugary sweet, but as rich as cocoa. “Princess Thigh-Ana, absolute delight for you to meet me.” “Hey,” says Jack. He beams, nudging me in the ribs with a bony elbow. “Hi, hey.” I can only stutter, my left leg shaking. This is real. The Dragnificent Seven are real and one-quarter of the remaining members are stood in front of me. I want to scream, cry, shout, laugh and do a stupid little dance all at the same time. I need to say so much yet I can’t say anything at all.
August 26, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
sierrabranham.bsky.social
Mark your calendars! We have a US cover reveal date for LOVE GALAXY, my debut sapphic SF romantic thriller about murder on a reality tv show in space with forbidden romance and lots of yearning!

Available to add on Goodreads now, link in the comments below 👇
August 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
melanielocke.bsky.social
I officially #amquerying You are not the Chosen One, my adult queer fantasy with a fake Chosen One premise

Below is my agent's guide:
Opening page to agent's guide. Text: Agent's guide to You are Not the Chosen One, an adult queer fantasy by Melanie Locke. Placed at the center of an artdeco frame with black and golden coloring Part two of the agent's guide. Artdeco background with black and gold. Pitch: When Seer Cass learns there's no Chosen One to save the world from a Fear based apocalypse, he tells firefighter Esti she's the Chosen One. If she ever learns he lied, the world will end. Comps on the right with covers and a poster. The Umbrella Academy season 1 poster, the Last Hour between World, the Raven Scholar, Dark Rise. Snippet, same background as previous. Text: “How did it feel?” she asked, voice soft. Careful. For a moment he looked at her, eyes like broken glass. He sat up, fists clenched. “Bad! It feels fucking bad, okay? But it doesn’t matter. If I have to kill one man to save a village then that is what I will do. You can’t save the world without getting blood on your hands. And the worst thing is, it didn’t even work.” Esti didn’t know what to say. Cass stared into the distance, arms wrapped tight around his body. He’d never looked so small before. And yet Esti knew what he was capable of. It mattered little how he felt, his sorrow didn’t bring the mayor back. And perhaps he would have died no matter what. Perhaps Cass had done the best he could in impossible circumstances. But Esti couldn’t forget he’d murdered a man in cold blood. “I didn’t ask for this, you know.” Bitterness spilled out like a basilisk’s venom. “Being the seer meant to stop the Fear, having only one year left.”
August 19, 2025 at 2:42 PM
melanielocke.bsky.social
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY x THE RAVEN SCHOLAR

👁️ a gay seer who will fake it till he makes it
🚒 a butch lesbian firefighter turned "Chosen One"
😱 a Fear based apocalypse that will end the world

Without a Chosen One, what could possibly go wrong?

#queerpit #A #F #EF #UF
Opening page to agent's guide. Text: Agent's guide to You are Not the Chosen One, an adult queer fantasy by Melanie Locke. Placed at the center of an artdeco frame with black and golden coloring Part two of the agent's guide. Artdeco background with black and gold. Pitch: When Seer Cass learns there's no Chosen One to save the world from a Fear based apocalypse, he tells firefighter Esti she's the Chosen One. If she ever learns he lied, the world will end. Comps on the right with covers and a poster. The Umbrella Academy season 1 poster, the Last Hour between World, the Raven Scholar, Dark Rise. Snippet. Same background as previous picture, with messy paper on top. Text: “How did it feel?” she asked, voice soft. Careful. For a moment he looked at her, eyes like broken glass. He sat up, fists clenched. “Bad! It feels fucking bad, okay? But it doesn’t matter. If I have to kill one man to save a village then that is what I will do. You can’t save the world without getting blood on your hands. And the worst thing is, it didn’t even work.” Esti didn’t know what to say. Cass stared into the distance, arms wrapped tight around his body. He’d never looked so small before. And yet Esti knew what he was capable of. It mattered little how he felt, his sorrow didn’t bring the mayor back. And perhaps he would have died no matter what. Perhaps Cass had done the best he could in impossible circumstances. But Esti couldn’t forget he’d murdered a man in cold blood. “I didn’t ask for this, you know.” Bitterness spilled out like a basilisk’s venom. “Being the seer meant to stop the Fear, having only one year left.”
August 15, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
celticxpanda.bsky.social
SILVER IN THE BONE X SAILOR MOON

👑 Reincarnated King Arthur, but make it Magical Girl
👑 Knights of the Round Table as Magical Weapons
👑 Trans boy Merlin? Trans boy Merlin
👑 All myths are true, and they’re coming to kick Mordred’s ass

#QueerPit #NA #F
A moodboard featuring art by SandraGHart, an image of a sword stuck in a stone, ancient books, peach roses, a crown, and the Scottish Highlands
August 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
endertwig.bsky.social
A zombie outbreak in Oxford forces a philosophy professor, two students, and a tourist to seek shelter in a safe house. Do they:

A) create an unexpected found family
B) hook up
C) slowly descend into madness
D) all of the above
#queerpit #H #HA #A
August 15, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Reposted by Melanie is querying
masontmatchak.bsky.social
Two desperate women fleeing imprisonment.
Two draconic artifacts bonded to them.
A group of thieves who'll help them escape.
A powerful noble who'll do anything to get them back.
A secret that could ruin them.
A bond that could save them.
In a city where the sun never rises.
#QueerPit #F #A #LGBT
A nine-panel square mood board to promote a book. Upper left square: blue fire on a black background. Upper middle square: the moon, barely visible behind clouds. Upper right square: dark pink scales. Middle left square: a blue-haired woman tying back her ponytail with a determined look on her face. Middle square: two hands held in silhouette in front of the sunset. Middle right square: a pink-haired woman with her hair partly braided and a downcast look on her face. Lower left square: blue scales. Lower middle square: a cluster of white candles, partially melted together. Lower right square: pink crystals viewed up close.
August 15, 2025 at 12:19 PM