How I Pitched Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber
- By: Jessica Faust | Date: Jul 16 2019
Heather Webber is a national bestselling author of mysteries and fiction. Long ago I talked to Heather about an idea she had for women’s fiction, an idea I immediately fell in love with and knew she could write beautifully. Almost four years later we are celebrating the release of Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe — beautiful Southern women’s fiction from Forge Books.
Since we talk a lot on the blog about pitches and blurbs, I want to share my original pitch for Heather’s extraordinary book.
National bestselling author Heather Blake/Heather Webber has long infused her mysteries with magical realism. Looking to break into women’s fiction, a genre I long thought she belonged in, I’m thrilled to present MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACKBIRD CAFÉ, a Southern women’s fiction filled with magical realism and sure to appeal to fans of Sarah Addison Allen.
Deep in the mountain shadows of Alabama lays the town of Wicklow and the magical Blackbird Café, where a piece of blackbird pie can reveal the whispers of loved ones.
It is here Anna Kate Callow has come, to lay her beloved Granny Zee to rest and fulfill her destiny as keeper of the blackbirds that live behind the café. It is the birds, Callow ancestors, who sing messages from the dead into the pies, messages meant to comfort and heal.
But there is another reason Anna Kate has come to Wickow. Before closing the café and heading off to medical school, she’s going to finally learn the truth about her father’s death. Then she, and all her Callow ancestors, will finally leave Wicklow for good.
As Anna Kate starts searching for answers she quickly finds that the truth doesn’t always give you the answers you need and her plan to avoid making friends, forming ties, or getting to know her father’s side of the family might not be the best plan after all. As the truth slowly reveals itself, Anna Kate will need to decide if this lone blackbird will finally be able to take her broken wings and fly.
Heather has authored numerous mystery series including Lucy Valentine with St. Martin’s as Heather Webber and both the Magical Potions and Wishcraft series with NAL as Heather Blake. She is a national bestselling author and continually receives rave reviews for her work.
Congratulations Heather!
No need to say more! I bought it for my Kindle two minutes ago. That first graf is a grabber! And so, frankly, is the second one. Already, I’m hooked. Prediction: This book will be a massive success.
It’s always nice to see the agent pitch, because it reminds me how similar the agent pitch is to the writer query. Lots to be learnt.