Mentor Axie Oh

by | Dec 20, 2020 | Mentors (R8) | 0 comments

Mentor Axie Oh

axieoh.com
@axieoh

AGENT
Patricia Nelson

WRITES
Young Adult (SFF, Contemporary)

UPCOMING BOOK
XOXO (July, 2021) Harper Teen

BIO
Axie Oh is a first generation Korean American, born in NYC and raised in New Jersey. She studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California – San Diego and holds an MFA from Lesley University in Writing for Young People. Her passions include K-pop, anime, stationery supplies, and milk tea. She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with her puppy, Toro.

PUBLISHING BACKGROUND
I won Tu Books’ New Visions Award in 2015, later signed with my agent that following year. In 2016 I went on sub with a YA Fantasy that didn’t end up selling (in that first round). My debut Rebel Seoul came out in 2017 with a follow-up companion novel, Rogue Heart, which released 2019. Then I went on a second round of sub in 2019 with the same fantasy (after extensive revisions), which sold to Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan, to be released Winter 2022!! Also during early 2020, I wrote and sold a romcom to Harper Teen, out 2021!!

EXPERIENCE
I’ve been a student of craft for over 20+ years and though I’m constantly learning and honing my writing, I’m pretty confident in saying that I have a lot of knowledge to share! I’ve mentored a few writers over the years who’ve gone on to publish novels, like Swati Teerdhala, author of The Tiger at Midnight & sequels, (1st round RMM mentee) and Judy Lin, author of A Magic Steeped in Poison, out Winter 2022 from Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan (we’re editor and pub sibs!) I’ve gotten an MFA from Lesley University in writing for Young People, worked for literary agencies as an intern, and am currently a contributor for the writing blog “Writer’s Block Party”, where I write craft posts alongside my critique partners.

OVERVIEW

I’ve been a mentor before and it’s always such a fun and rewarding experience. I love working with writers and sharing what I’ve learned over the years. Plus right now I have a lot of time on my hands (both of my upcoming releases have moved onto copyedits/ARCs), and I want to devote my energy onto you, my new mentee!

I’m copy-pasting this from my Round 1 bio because it will always be the same. I hope to find a motivated mentee who has a natural voice. I’m always drawn to diverse stories, #ownvoices, beautiful writing & unique and powerful imaginations!

  • Contemporary
  • Romance
  • #ownvoices
  • Urban/Contemporary Fantasy

I am 100% that reader who looks for a romantic subplot in any book; so, keep that in mind.

 

I WILL PROVIDE:

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

WORKING STYLE
I always start with a big picture editorial letter, which I then follow up with a Skype or phone call. My goal is to get the story of your heart onto the page – to make your book really shine! I will brainstorm ideas with you, provide line edits, and encourage you. I’m also an open book in terms of anything publishing or writing related – what do you want to know?

IDEAL MENTEE
My ideal mentee is someone who is excited to go on this AMM journey with me – someone who wants to put in the hard work to get their book to the best possible version of itself! You don’t *have* to know everything there is to know about writing and publishing, but I’d love someone who has done their research – knows what a query is, what critique partners are, follows writing blogs and author newsletters. I appreciate a bit of savvy.

This round I’m eager for YA Contemporary or any genre set in a contemporary setting.

SEND ME:

  • A romantic comedy where culture is a major component (my upcoming novel XOXO fits this, as does Loveboat, Taipei).
  • A contemporary fantasy i.e. Holly Black’s books (White Cat, The Cruel Prince, Coldest Girl in Coldtown). Books that are Fantasy but set alongside the modern world.
  • A gothic romance set in modern day i.e. Rebecca set in India, for example.
  • A contemporary romance with a fantastical twist (think the K-Drama Love Alarm on Netflix, which is about a dating app that allows you to see if someone likes/loves you or Stacey Lee’s Secret of a Heart Note).
  • Speaking of K-Dramas, if you can comp your book to a K-Drama, I will 100% pay closer attention.
  • Stories that are funny (humor is so hard to do in YA, but I *love* books that make me laugh. I’m a big Emma Mills and Maurene Goo fan, and Olivia Abtahi’s upcoming debut Perfect Parvin fits this description to a T.)
  • Stories that are heartwarming and filled with family ties (This is the reason Jenny Han’s To All the Boys series is a favorite of mine, love the Song sisters!)
  • YA stories with characters in college
  • A YA version of a Helen Hoang book with great rep and romance!
  • A book that feels like a shoujo manga or romantic webtoon (Ao Haru Ride and Kimi Ni Todoke are faves)
  • BIPOC stories, Black love stories, Indigenous romance, give it all to meeee

DO NOT SEND ME:

I’m not a great fit for issue-driven novels, sport romances, or novels in verse.

FAVES

Faves relevant to my MSWL that I love:

Movies: Clueless, Never Been Kissed, While You Were Sleeping, Austenland, 10 Things I Hate About You, Leap Year, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Amelie, The Princess Switch

TV shows/K-Dramas: I actually don’t watch a ton of TV besides K-dramas. A few of my faves: Crash Landing On You, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, & Descendants of the Sun.

Authors/books: Maurene Goo (I Believe in a Thing Called Love), Aminah Mae Safi (Not the Girls You’re Looking For), Emma Mills (Foolish Hearts), Helen Hoang (The Bride Test), Kristina Forest (I Wanna Be Where You Are), Holly Black (Coldest Girl in Coldtown), Gabrielle Zevin (All These Things I’ve Done), Rin Chupeco (The Girl from the Well), Kat Cho (Wicked Fox), Tracy Deonn (Legendborn) & Darcie Little Badger (Elatsoe)