Title: Scales
Genre: YA Contemporary Fantasy
Word Count: 80,000
Query
Dear AGENT,
Seven years ago, 8-year-old orphan Eric was the sole year-round occupant of Kingston Preparatory Academy, a school for magic users hidden in rural Illinois. Then Ben arrived, scared and crying about monsters. Within days, he’d latched on to Eric and soon the two were as close as brothers.
As the years passed, while Ben skipped a grade and skyrocketed to the top of their class, Eric barely squeaked by and now focuses on making sure his stash of drugs lasts the whole summer. After all, even his favorite teacher gave up on him developing his weak abilities and it’s common knowledge his future contains menial jobs at best. He might as well have fun on his race to the bottom.
When Eric’s arch-nemesis (and Ben’s crush) warns them about the Curator, a man who traffics magic users, they dismiss it as a childish conspiracy theory. Eric in particular gave up believing in fairy tales, even the nightmarish ones, a long time ago.
But, Ben has a secret, one the very real Curator knows. One that makes him the perfect addition to the Curator’s personal collection. One that orphaned him and, despite Eric’s assurances otherwise, proves monsters exist.
When their school is attacked by the Curator’s Hunters in search of him, Ben and Eric escape and go into hiding where they think they’ll be safe.
They’re wrong and Eric soon discovers Ben isn’t the only one with secrets.
Now, to save Ben from a life of slavery, Eric has to believe in another person he dismissed long ago: himself.
Told from four perspectives, Ben, Eric, the vindicated conspiracy theorist, and the one who betrays them, SCALES is a YA contemporary fantasy novel complete at 80,000 words.
As for me, I hold a Masters in International Politics where I concentrated on violent conflict and international trauma, including human trafficking. In addition to being bright and fun topics, they sparked the idea for this book. And, of course, a magic just makes everything better.
This is on multiple submission. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best wishes,
…
First 250
Eric took his exam. The words “Magic Theory, Practice, and Society” were centered on the cover.
What a joke.
This test was a joke.
The practical portion would be a joke.
The whole class was a joke.
All the knowledge in the world wouldn’t make him stronger. And it wasn’t like he would be able to get a job in any Luxen field either; he’d be doing construction or flipping burgers alongside Anluxen even if he studied hard and aced the test. He thought he’d done well enough in English, passable in Geometry, miraculously managed a C- in Chemistry, but here in this cruel joke of a class was where his worth was defined.
Worth. The word echoed around his mind, making him laugh to himself.
Behind him, Alex received her test. Her self-satisfied sigh warmed the back of his neck in a humid puff. Without thinking, he turned to glare at her. She was a dusty-looking girl with dusty blue eyes, wrapped in dusty tanned skin, topped with dusty blond hair.
Dusty, dusty, dusty.
And evil.
“Eyes on your own test, Eric,” Ms. Finley said, causing the entire class to look at him. He cursed at her inwardly, but complied.
“Ms. Finley,” Alex stated. Eric rolled his eyes and a wave of sighs and creaks of desks spread around the classroom.
“Here we go,” someone whispered a little too loudly.
“Yes, Alex?” the teacher responded, her face a mask of professional caring.
…
Thank fore reading and any critiques you have! I’d love return the favor to anyone who helps me out—not just the three minimum! Leave a link with your critique!
Thanks!!
A. J. Scott 