Tae Keller

OVERVIEW
When I started writing with a goal of getting published, I didn’t really know what I was getting into. Looking back, I wish I’d had a mentor to talk me through manuscript issues and help me navigate the waters of signing with an agent. If I can be that for an aspiring writer with a bright future, then I want to be!

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.

• Fantasy
• Mystery/Thriller
• Historical
• Magical Realism/Fabulism
• LGBTQIA
• Urban/Contemporary Fantasy
• Horror
• Speculative Fiction

On the fantasy front: I’m interested in mentoring something new/fresh.

Urban/Contemporary Fantasy: I’m thinking more on the contemporary-fantasy side, like THE RAVEN BOYS and less on the Urban Fantasy side.

Historical: I’ll consider purely historical fiction, but I tend to like something with a little magic in it (think, THE DIVINERS). BUT if you’ve written the next CODE NAME VERITY, I’m all in.

I WILL PROVIDE:

• Edit Letter (Big Picture developmental feedback)
• Line edit (dropping notes into a Word Document)

WORKING 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).

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. I’m a firm believer that you MUST be reading in the genre you’re writing, so if that’s not you, then I’m not the right mentor. 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.

SEND ME:
Give me the next THE STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL SORROWS OF AVA LAVENDER or the next SIX OF CROWS.

Writing the next BONE GAP or WE WERE LIARS? Or think BEFORE I FALL could be a comp title? Sign me up. THE DIVINERS? Yes, please.

If you have a literary voice (but understand that in YA, you still have to meet that voice with proper pacing), then I might just be the mentor for you.

DO NOT SEND ME:
Not really looking for fae-based fantasy or assassin-driven stories. I’d rather see strong female friendships than a true love triangle.

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) and Heroes of the Storm. I’m both a coffee and a tea drinker. I play piano, but not very well.

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, Libba Bray

I’m a Ravenclaw, an INFJ, and a judgmental optimist.