By AJ Van Belle (they/them)

A note from Rebecca: Buckle up everyone. Today this month’s newsletter has been written by my fellow agent A.J. Van Belle! We are hearing about their client, and I am so intrigued by the books (unpublished and published) that are mentioned. Next time I’ll also be featuring a client, and check out the New Deals section for a new Publishers Marketplace announcement! Stay tuned for more updates.

Oaths, Magic, and Mercenaries: Meet Fantasy Author Lee A. Everett

An introductory note from A.J.:

My client Lee A. Everett writes gorgeous, sweeping fantasies with powerful female leads and romance to die for (and that’s absolutely NOT a spoiler for her on-submission book, nope, not one bit … even if it IS inspired by Romeo and Juliet).

With Lee’s powerful grasp of the novel-writing craft, she has an incredible career ahead of her. We wanted to give you the chance to get to know her a bit better, so we asked her a few questions.

Can you tell us a little about your book on submission, THE OATHS THAT BIND US?

Yes! I had a lot of fun working on this one. I wrote the first scene several years ago, which was adapted from a vivid dream (feels cliche to admit, but it’s true!), and it sat while I worked on another manuscript. When the time came, it felt like I wrote it quickly, perhaps because it had been simmering in my brain for so long. Ultimately, I wanted to tell a story not about those in power or who want power, but from the perspective of those important “helpers” who believe in their cause and will do whatever they can for it–and what happens if those loyalties start to shift. (Because who doesn’t love a good conflict in loyalties??) It is an adult fantasy with a strong romantic subplot, featuring a lot of my personal catnip:

🩸 ill-advised oaths

⚗️ potions, poisons, political coups

🗡️ a mercenary who should(n't) be trusted(?)

🌊 disguised identities

💔 star-crossed lovers 

🐎 only one horse

Here’s the formal pitch: Amid an epic clash of nations, Lyn is absolutely loyal to her empress. She’s also a magical Oathmaker: every oath someone speaks to her becomes immutably binding. When she’s kidnapped by—and accidentally Oathbound to—a mercenary captain who wants to burn the empire down, Lyn realizes that her curse might be a gift … and her empress might be the true villain in this war.

How long have you been writing? How many manuscripts did you write before OATHS?

I’ve been writing since I was a child (lots of short stories of myself and cousins going on small adventures). In high school and college, my main hobby was writing fanfiction online, which was a fun way to interact with the fandom, get immediate feedback on my writing style and storytelling techniques, and play with characterization. Basically, I loved writing and knew I had my own stories to tell, but I didn’t know how to develop them.

I’ve been writing with the hope and intention of one day becoming a published author for about 15 years, although for a large part of this time I was pursuing day-job professional goals and not able to focus on writing consistently. When I could, I started studying writing as a craft, and slowly gathered my group of writing friends and critique partners. Various NaNoWriMo projects became the “zero” drafts of several full-length novels–including OATHS. 

I have finished three manuscripts but only truly polished (and queried) one other project prior to finishing OATHS. The project before OATHS was my real “learning” manuscript, where I figured out pacing and character motivations, and re-wrote it probably too many times trying to get it right. And also delved with it, for the first time, into the query trenches. Working through that novel truly developed my revision skills and the ability to take feedback regarding “a darling”, and I feel the years I spent on that book put me in the position, skill and mindset-wise, to write OATHS. And most importantly, it was through working on that book that I met AJ!

How do you balance writing with your day job? What does your writing routine look like?

 It can be difficult, because my job can wear through my reserves of concentration and focus by the time I get home. I have found the best success with trying to write consistently and aiming to hit a certain word goal 5 days a week. This is sustainable and keeps me itching to work on the next scene, but also gives time for me to think ahead on what I want to write the next day. However, I will take breaks to “refill the well” as I need to, to avoid burnout. I think it’s more important now than ever to cherish and protect what brings us joy!

I work off of a very loose outline (my critique partners will laugh at this–it is very loose). I lean a lot on exploration and letting the characters guide the scene, though I have gotten better at starting with certain plot/character “goals” for each chapter. (Maybe not the most efficient process, but it’s how my brain works.) Revising that rough draft, tweaking it and implementing feedback and taking it from zero draft to polished, is where I find the most fun in the writing process.

What led you to sign with the Booker Albert Agency?

My relationship with AJ! I very much trust them with my writing projects and career, and feel we work very well together. AJ was an intern with the agency and had great things to say about the support they received working with Jordy, so it made me confident that the agency will be a good home for me. 

Do you want to share anything about your future plans and dreams for your writing career?

Only that I’m very excited to be embarking on this adventure! I have several other fantasy and science fiction ideas up my sleeve–and perhaps even a full romance–and hope to see my books at the bookstore one day!

A Sorceress Comes to Call: A Horror-Fantasy with Heart

When I picked up A Sorceress Comes to Call, I was expecting a horror version of The Goose Girl fairy tale. After all, in years past I’d read Shannon Hale’s Books of Bayern series, an intricate version of the tale for teen readers, one that could be said to be horror-adjacent. So I was expecting dark. Murky. Maybe even enough to scare me (and not much on the page does). I should have known that where the name T. Kingfisher is attached, there’s always humor, joy, and heartfelt relationships. Not to mention incredibly inventive departure from the inspirational source material. So, yes, A Sorceress Comes to Call is a horror-fantasy. Yes, it takes inspiration from The Goose Girl. But it’s also a fest of tragedies that lead to joyous triumphs, a jaundiced look at death and greed that never loses its sense of humor, and a wholly original and surprising story. I read it fast, so it’s really more of a “just finished” than a current read. In short, this 2025 Hugo-nominated novel is definitely worth checking out!

Blurb

Cordelia knows her mother is... different. Their house has no doors between rooms—"no secrets in this house!" her mother says—and Cordelia isn’t allowed even a single friend. Unless you count Falada, her mother’s striking white horse. Only when riding him does Cordelia feel truly free.

But her mother’s eccentricities go far beyond the odd or unusual. Other parents don’t demand that their daughters sit perfectly still—silent and obedient—for hours, even days. Other mothers aren’t sorcerers.

After a suspicious death rocks their small town, Cordelia’s mother forces them to flee under cover of night, riding away on Falada’s back and leaving behind everything Cordelia has ever known. They arrive at the secluded estate of a wealthy older man, the Squire, and his sharp, unmarried sister, Hester. Cordelia’s mother has a plan: ensnare the Squire in marriage. Cordelia is certain this spells disaster—for the bumbling gentleman, and especially for his kind, perceptive sister.

And Hester notices. She sees how Cordelia flinches under her mother’s gaze, how she sits like a statue at dinner. Hester realizes that to save her brother—and the frightened girl under this witch’s control—she must confront a sorceress more dangerous than she ever imagined.

Check out these new releases!!!

Flirty Dancing

Druid Cursed

If you have a topic that you think I should write about or you want to write an article for us, email me at [email protected] with your bio and topic. We’re always looking for fresh perspectives.

Of course, authors or industry professionals if you want to write about something email me!

Authors, do you want to submit a book to us?

Check us out at the Booker Albert website.

Happy reading,
Rebecca Lawrence