www.jencamiccia.com
@jencamiccia
AGENT
Stacey Glick at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
WRITES
Contemporary Middle Grade
BOOKS
THE MEMORY KEEPER (2019) Aladdin/S&S
NORTH SHORE #3 AMERICAN HORSE TALES (2021) Penguin Workshop
BIO
Jennifer Camiccia has lived in the wilds of Los Angeles, where she fell in love with all things Disney; Iran, where she developed a fear of camels and a fondness for pistachios; and Hawaii, where her imagination was cultivated by the rich storytelling of the islands. Paddling canoe, gymnastics, riding horses, attempting to play tennis and failing miserably, are all things she enjoyed growing up on the north shore of Kauai. She now lives in the San Francisco Bay area where she enjoys fog-kissed air and a city teeming with talented artists.
PUBLISHING BACKGROUND
I actively started querying in 2015, and in 2016 was picked as a mentee in Pitch Wars. I learned the art of revision in Pitch Wars but ultimately didn’t get my agent that way. I signed with my agent through good old fashioned querying in 2017. We went on submission for a year with my YA Pitch Wars book before my agent suggested I write the next thing. That ended up being my first middle-grade book, The Memory Keeper. I had an offer two weeks after going on submission and it published in 2019. My second MG book, North Shore (American Horse tales #3) just released 11/2/21. I’m currently on sub with a YA rom com.
EXPERIENCE
I was a mentee in Pitch Wars in 2016, a mentor in Teen Pit (my mentee’s debut book is being published next year!), and this is my third time mentoring for AMM as a middle-grade mentor.
OVERVIEW
I learned so much from my own time as a mentee. It taught me so many valuable writing skills and also introduced me to such a wonderful support system. I want to help new writers the way I was helped.
I’m interested in contemporary stories with heart. I love intergenerational characters who are navigating changes or difficulties in their lives. I also love a good mystery that keeps me turning the page. I do have a soft spot for sci fi stories but they have to be unique with a well thought out character arc.
MENTORING GENRES
Middle Grade
- Contemporary
- Romance
- Sci-Fi
- Mystery/Thriller
There isn’t usually a ton of romance in MG but I’d love to see one about a first crush that’s realistic and age appropriate.
I WILL PROVIDE:
- Edit Letter (Big Picture developmental feedback)
- Line edit (dropping notes into a Word Document)
WORKING STYLE
I will give a development edit letter that addresses any major changes. I might do some light line edits then. And after revisions are turned back in, I’ll do another read through and give line edits. I will also help with a query letter and a list of reputable agents to submit to.
IDEAL MENTEE
Someone who is willing to make necessary changes and work hard.
SEND ME:
Contemporary, emotional stories.
Mystery, thrillers, sci fi.
DO NOT SEND ME:
Fantasy, magic, witches
FAVES
MG books I love: The Thing About Jellyfish, When You Reach Me, Planet Earth Is Blue, Caterpillar Summer, Quintessence.
TV shows: Veronica Mars, Firefly, Great British Baking Show, Ted Lasso
Movies: Pride & Prejudice, French Kiss, The Holiday, Knotting HIll, Princess Bride, Terminator
Recent Comments