BIO
Kevin van Whye was born and raised in South Africa, where his love for storytelling started at a very young age. At four years old he quit pre-school because his teacher couldn’t tell a story. Kevin’s childhood was one filled with imagining make believe worlds and playing pretend. It wasn’t until he was much older that he realized those worlds and characters he created could become real if he wrote them down. And thus his love affair with writing began, and led him to not only study script writing but to also eventually try to get published. Kevin currently lives in Johannesburg, where he’s constantly wrestling ideas into submission or ruining his characters lives.
PUBLISHING BACKGROUND
It has been filled with many ups and downs. I got my agent in 2015, with the first book I’d ever written and queried. I’ve written three books so far and I’ve been on submissions three times so far. I have come close many times but I am still waiting for the one. So I have some insight on the process of books not selling and how tough submissions usually is. I am not a unicorn.
EXPERIENCE
I went to film school and majored in script writing so my writing has a cinematic twist to it. It’s something that if love to be able to help someone with. I also understand pacing, action and have a knack for dialogue. Also because of my film school background I know how to pitch, so I actually enjoy writing queries. (The first ever query I wrote was the one that landed me multiple offers from agents.) I was also a mentor in Round 2 and 3 of AMM and am thrilled to be back.
OVERVIEW
I loved doing this in Round 2 & 3, and I loved working with my chosen mentees. I just basically loved helping writers on their journey and want to do it again. I know how hard the publishing journey can be and I want to offer whatever help and guidance I can.
I am most interested in voice. Give me characters and worlds that feel real. I want to see unique magic and mythology and worldbuilding. I love a good romance but I also love action. Surprise me with your fantasy and sci-fi.
- Fantasy
- Sci-Fi
- Magical Realism/Fabulism
- #ownvoices*
- LGBTQIA*
- Urban/Contemporary Fantasy
I’m interested in fantasy of all kinds. Work inspired by different mythology from all over the world and interesting retellings. Have you twisted a classic somehow? I love dark fantasies with villainous leads just as much as I love a good hero. Sci-Fi with interesting characters and out of this world world building…get it? I’m not the right fit for hard sci-fi. Think more along the lines of the Lunar Chronicles. Seriously, give me all the retellings in space!
I WILL PROVIDE:
- Edit Letter (Big Picture developmental feedback)
- Line edit (dropping notes into a Word Document)
- Freestyle in chat
WORKING STYLE
Revising is my favorite part of writing! I’m hoping my passion for the process can help someone who maybe prefers drafting over it. I’m good with big picture edits and filling plot holes but I also tend to do a lot of line editing. I like to ask questions and make a lot of comments and suggestions. I tend to give examples of what I mean, as well. I want my mentee to use what they like and leave what they don’t. Basically I just want to help you tell your best story!
IDEAL MENTEE
Basically I’m looking for a passionate writer open to suggestions and critiques on their work without getting defensive. I’d love to form a lasting friendship that goes beyond one book.
SEND ME:
*Historical fantasy. I love history, so surprise me with your magic.
*Something in the vein of the Raven Boys.
*Hate to love romance is a favorite of mine.
*Fake relationships that turn to real relationships.
*Action, I love a good battle scene.
*A retelling in space.
*Fantasy in space
*Fantasy inspired by mythology from all around the world.
*Diverse works
*Interesting world building and magic systems.
*The weird and the wonderful.
DO NOT SEND ME:
*Angels, Demons, Zombies, Mermaids and the like.
*Time Travel
*Dystopians
*I’m not the right fit for books that have a message/comment on society as it’s main outcome. Story is key to me not lessons.
FAVES
Some of my favorite tv shows: Anything Shonda Rhimes, also anything based on a comic book too. Heroes, Game of Thrones, The 100, Veronica Mars, Pretty Little Liars, Riverdale, Avatar- last air bender, Terra Nova, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Please Like Me, Schitt’s Creek, Claws, The Magicians, Shadowhunters, Skam, i-Zombie (I watch a lot of tv so I could go on and on!)
Some of the books I adore:
* Harry Potter
* Twilight (this is the book that got me into YA writing)
* The Wrath and the Dawn
* An Ember in the Ash
* Throne of Glass
* The Lunar Chronicles
* A Song of Ice and Fire
* Elantris
* Mistborn Trilogy
* The Grisha Trilogy
* The Raven Cycle
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