www.lizparkerwrites.com
@lizparkerwrites
AGENT
Rena Rossner
WRITES
YA fantasy/historical
PUBLISHING STATUS
In Revision
BIO
Liz Parker grew up with her time split between Nashville, Tenn. (Yes, she says y’all), and Elko, Nevada (Yes, the one from the X-files episode). She spent her childhood drawing aliens and giving them backstory and her teen years writing angsty poetry. After three years, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in English from Belmont University (Yes, she’s a bit of an overachiever). Today, she lives in Nashville, with her husband and dog, where she daylights as a social media consultant.
EXPERIENCE
I have a bachelor’s degree in English, with an emphasis in creative writing, so I have an eye for grammar. Most of my critique partners signed with agents on the first manuscript we worked on together, and others have gone on to get book deals.
OVERVIEW
As a mentor and critique partner, I tend to be more of a big-picture sort of thinker, helping identify plot holes or missing pieces of character arcs, and brainstorming ways to work through them. If something isn’t working, I’m going to let you know (while also leaving lots of positive comments on sentences that I love). I love reading character-driven stories with strong voice, but am probably not the right mentor if you’re still trying to figure out the whole voice thing.
I have CP’s who write contemporary, magical realism, historical…you name it. So while I tend to stick to the fantastical in my own writing, I’m open to most genres. I’m not particularly interested in dystopian at the moment or in the “chosen one” trope.
Some of my favorite books (of late): The Witchlands series, I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN, SIX OF CROWS, VENGEANCE ROAD, THE WRATH & THE DAWN, THE RAVEN BOYS.
MENTORING STYLE
I’m more of an email girl than a phone call girl. I like to leave in-line notes on manuscripts with longer comments in an accompanying email. I prefer to read the full manuscript at one time (rather than chapter-by-chapter–though I will read single chapters or scenes if they need another look). I’m a Ravenclaw and an INFJ.
IDEAL MENTEE
I’m looking for someone who can take critique without getting defensive while also not being afraid to ask questions so they can improve as a writer. Mostly, I’m looking for someone who isn’t just in this for one book sale. I want to work with a writer with whom I can develop a lasting friendship and celebrate the writing milestones along the way.
FAVES
Anything and everything Sailor Moon (Sailors Uranus and Neptune were always my favorite). I love binge watching Pretty Little Liars. I garden and am able to make just about anything grow outside, but I can’t keep houseplants alive. I LOVE witches (but I’m not a witch, sadly). I’m a firm believer in ghosts, and while I’ll go on just about any ghost tour, I don’t actually want to encounter a ghost. I play a lot of (a little too much of?) Overwatch (on PC, no I don’t stream but I should). I’m both a coffee and a tea drinker.
Favorite authors (both because of their books and/or how amazing they are at events) include: Susan Dennard, Leigh Bardugo, Marissa Meyer, Maggie Stiefvater, Victoria Schwab.
MSWL
The next THE STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL SORROWS OF AVA LAVENDER or the next GRAVE MERCY.