[QCrit] Adult Cozy Fantasy Romance - A WITCH'S GUIDE TO CORPORATE ESPIONAGE (90K) (First Attempt)
Hello Reddit! I'm finally on final line edits so thought I should ask for some feedback on my query letter. Any feedback is greatly appreciated - I fear I've been staring at this thing for far too long.
Dear [NAME],
A WITCH’S GUIDE TO CORPORATE ESPIONAGE is a 90,000 word cozy fantasy romance, told by a curmudgeonly narrator. It combines the hijinks and self-aware humor of The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love (India Holton), the rivals-to-lovers romance and footnoted details of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies (Heather Fawcett), and modern village setting and complex family dynamics of A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon (Sarah Hawley).
Mara’s last sleeping draught grew tentacles and broke into the village bakery. Unfortunate, since it was supposed to prove she was ready to take over her dead mother’s world famous apothecary. Days before ownership will be decided, Witch Corp–mass potion manufacturer and her mother’s nemesis–open a store in town. With it, Mara sees a way to secure her inheritance: find evidence Witch Corp’s selling fraudulent cures.
The plan hits turbulence when, while scouting Witch Corp, Mara crashes–err, lands her broom atop Eli. His many crimes include a gelled coiffure, apprenticing to Mara’s mother and being the only other person who could claim the apothecary. Mara would rather wrestle the nine-mouthed demon Eli calls a cat than exchange five civil words… until she discovers the hexes protecting the building. So, she makes a reluctant deal. Eli uses his (reliable) magic to break in; Mara provides the plants he needs for the last potion of his apprenticeship.
Air conditioning ducts lead to an underground manufacturing facility and fleeing across a lake, pursued by a mermaid. Unravelling Witch Corp's lies requires Eli’s continued help. Worse, he becomes almost tolerable. Making pancakes. Brewing potions. Sharing grief about his own mother’s passing. Possessing not quite abs, but an interesting something under his shirt. As the clock ticks, Mara must decide whether she can rely on the one person she can't trust to prove she's worthy of her mother’s legacy, and whether anyone who protests this much about hair can have anything but nefarious intentions.
I live in (City), Australia with my husband and two dogs. I graduated with distinction from a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Majoring in Creative Writing). I also write professionally, though corporate sales proposals, not about witches.