Brittany Kelley double majored in Literature and History on full scholarship at the University of Texas at Dallas, and went on to receive a Masters in History from the University of North Texas. She turned her back on writing academic papers, and instead delved into the world of fiction, which is a whole heck of a lot more fun. Brittany writes contemporary romance and romantic comedy. She also adores paranormal romance and is a sucker for enemies to lovers, sudden snowstorms, and the horror of only one bed.
In her spare time, Brittany enjoys wrangling her three children, drinking her sometimes still-hot coffee, playing board games with her husband (and winning), and drinking wine with friends. Oh, and books. All the books.
PUBLISHING BACKGROUND
I began writing fiction in 2014, craving the creative freedom and happy endings that are much harder to find in the real world. It took me several years to finish the first book I wrote, one that was heavy on the romance and atmosphere and light on plot. Reader, it had little to no plot. But I was hooked. So I wrote and wrote some more. In 2018, I entered Pitch Wars with a fun little manuscript, and then almost immediately shelved it when I wasn’t picked and after a few partial requests that fizzled out.
However, the book I started while I waited on Pitch Wars ended up being the one that snagged me an agent, and three total agent offers.
EXPERIENCE
My background in academia, and then as a high school English and History teacher, and finally as a CP to some of the loveliest writers, has forged my critique style. I adore helping people make their work as best as it can possibly be, and seeing my critique partners snag agents, and publishing deals… it’s just about the best thing ever. *cue glitter confetti cannon*
Critique partners and community are the absolute reason for any and all success I’ve had in writing. And I met them when I first waded into this community through Twitter.
Without their support, I’m certain I wouldn’t have received multiple agent offers and signed with an amazing one. And I’m also certain that I’d be losing my mind on sub without my close writer friends.
I want to give back. Being a critique partner is my absolute jam. That feeling when they go on to snag their own agent, their own book deal… It’s magic.
Because in my opinion? Writers who are committed to improving their craft— it’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when. Dedication and hard work trump talent every. Single. Time.
If I can be a cog in the great and terrible writing machine on their path to success, to help them realize the rejections, the nos, the ‘just not for mes’ are temporary— then that’s everything.
I want Adult Romance with a capital R. That means your characters end with a believable happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) that will leave me feeling satisfied. I love contemporary, romantic comedy, paranormal or urban fantasy, fantasy romance in general or even sci-fi— as LONG as the main storyline focuses on the romantic journey of your characters. Heck, I’ll even look at historical, but it would have to be super special, because those just aren’t my favorite. (Blame my degrees.) I’d love to see some fresh takes on our beloved romance tropes. I would also love all your #ownvoices and LGBTQIA manuscripts!
GIMME THE HEAT.
I don’t want erotica, but I also don’t want sweet romance. Closed door or fade to black is ok, but I want tangible sexual tension between your characters. Heh. Tangible.
HARD PASS:
I am not the mentor for anything featuring sexual assault, rape, anything involving harming children, or horror. I am also not the mentor for super dark themes.
Oh, and if I get a new friend out of the whole deal? Even better. Hashtag selfish.
- Contemporary
- Romance
- Fantasy
- Sci-Fi
- #ownvoices
- LGBTQIA
- Urban/Contemporary Fantasy
I am interested in all the above genres as long as the Romance is the primary plot.
Enemies to Lovers. Gah. I wish I could read THE HATING GAME again for the first time. Friends to Lovers. Slow Burn. The slower the better the burn, am I right? Only One Bed! Grumpy and Sunshine! Second Chance Lovers! I love them all!
- Edit Letter (Big Picture developmental feedback)
- Line edit (dropping notes into a Word Document)
- Skype or phone call
- Freestyle in chat
WORKING STYLE
This is a partnership! If you’re subbing to me, then you trust me.
Your job is to make sure that the person you choose to hold your word baby will not, in fact, toss it into the garbage while staring in your eyes and laughing maniacally.
We’ll be co-parents of your wordbaby. We’ll start out and look at big picture things, and I’d send you a detailed letter describing what tripped me up on the first read-throughs and advise changes. Then I’d hop on the phone with you after you sit with the letter for a day or two.
Then I’d bite my fingernails and hope I did ok. I’d check in on you, see if you need cake or coffee or a good cry.
Round two would be the teenage years. That MS is getting feisty. Is it ready to go off to query land? If not, send it back with more notes, another phone call, more candy for my mentee.
If yes? Yipee! Line edits and polish.
By then, my mentee and I are best friends, because I tricked them into thinking I’m smart and cool, and we meet up for margaritas and celebrate.
Oh, is that not part of it?
ISO: Ideal Mentee
My ideal, glittery golden perfect mentee will understand that I want the best for them. That revision and receiving criticism can be hard, but it isn’t done for any purpose than helping them grow. This super duper ideal mentee will also feel comfortable not just taking on board constructive criticism, but will also strive to put in the time making their book baby as fabulous as it can possibly be.
My wondrous mentee would also laugh at most (some?) of my jokes, and then we would continue after AMM to a lifelong friendship and professional relationship.
GRABBY HANDS FOR:
- enemies to lovers a la Sally Thorne’s THE HATING GAME
- urban fantasy like Ilona Andrews’ HIDDEN LEGACY (ISTG I am dying for more of this. DYING.)
- fantasy romance like Maxym Martineau’s KINGDOM OF EXILES
- contemporary romance like Alyssa Cole’s DUKE BY DEFAULT or anything by Jasmine Guillory
- rom coms, I want them all, give them all to me. If you can make me laugh, I’m yours forever and ever.
- sci-fi romance, but if Thor: Ragnarok was a romance
- If you have a Bachelor in Paradise romance I want it, please and thank you
- heists
- archaeology/fantasy romance like The Mummy
This is by no means a complete list! If you’ve got a romance oozing with voice, I want it in my inbox.
DO NOT SEND ME:
DO NOT WANT:
- erotica
- sexual assault
- children being harmed
- horror
- super dark themes
- tragic romance a la Nicholas Sparks- hard pass.
Fave TV:
Bachelor in Paradise, Leverage, Gilmore Girls, Psych, The Witcher, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Vampire Diaries, The Magicians, Charmed (love the new one)
Fave Movies:
Mr. Right, Always Be My Maybe, The Mummy, Sense and Sensibility, Thor: Ragnarok, Knives Out, Rogue One, Pride and Prejudice, Pitch Perfect, Isn’t it Romantic, Let it Snow (Netflix), and I have an unhealthy obsession with James Bond
Beverage I Can’t Live Without:
Coffee
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