So, what’s your book about?

This is usually the first question I get asked when I mention to people that I’m writing a book. It’s actually a pretty hard question to answer. I think any author would agree with me that responding to such a query is quite the daunting task. How do you sum up your book in a way that will somehow manage to convey all the passion that you as an author imbue it? The (what you hope are) page-turning plot twists, the characters that are like your children, the heartache of writer’s block and the magic of inspiration. The frustration of a difficult scene and the amazement when it suddenly falls into place. The obstacles you set up for your MC (Main Character) to increase tension, the climax, the sweet taste of victory for your MC.

Then I end up wondering if the person asking really cares or of they’re just being polite.

I usually just start by telling the person the genre. “I write YA (Young Adult) Fantasy.”

For some, this is good enough. They nod their head as if to say, “Cool” and “I’m glad she didn’t go into more detail” all at the same time. And when they do, I agree with them. Because if they don’t really want to hear about my book, I don’t really want to take the time to explain it to them.

Then there are the more interested folk who ask again, “But what’s it about?”

These people get the longer version, though I try not to ramble for too long. Like any author, I can get excited about my book, but I know that the people I talk to don’t want to hear every detail in that moment. Nor do I really want to tell them. Then they will have no need to read my book when it’s eventually published. I don’t want to rob them of that opportunity or that experience!

For all of you reading who are still thinking, “But Heather, you still haven’t told me what your book is actually about.”

You’re right. And I don’t want to bore you with all the details. So, I’ll just share the synopsis from my attempts at query letter. And for now, I hope that’ll sate your curiosity.

In a world where Hunters and witches kill each other, 16-year-old Kendra is both. Her uncle Vincent, a Hunter from a legendary family, sees her as an abomination that must be eradicated.

Kendra is endlessly running, constantly changing her name and trying to stay hidden from him. Her journey brings her to the royal city of Durhelm where she meets Marcus, an apprentice alchemist, who could be the key to combining her two worlds. She is also reacquainted with the blue-eyed soldier, Lieutenant Steele, who could prove a dangerous distraction for her if she lets herself fall for him.

When an ancient evil arises to threaten the city, Kendra finds herself at the center of the storm. Now Kendra must learn to use her dormant powers to battle both her uncle and the mysterious evil entity to save not only herself, but the entire city.

HUNTER, HUNTED is a 100,000 word young adult fantasy.