Dear Ms. Agent,
I'm seeking an agent. My completed novel, All in a Cup (76,000 words), is the story about two people on different life trajectories who end up needing each other. Set in Portland, Ore., the mainstream fiction revolves around Tim and Sarah, a pair of thirtysomethings: an afternoon fender-bender sets off a clash of lifestyles that leads to self-discovery, common ground, and love.
Tim is arriving from Seattle in an old K-car and looking as if he'd just rolled out of bed. Sarah is the well-pressed pharma-rep scrambling to cover compounding debt. All in a Cup depicts how lives, careers and classes cross and connect. Sarah faces the ravages of ovarian cancer, while Tim works through the guilt and grief from the loss of his wife and nine-year-old daughter. Tim is looking back, Sarah is looking to the future.
The story's day-in-the-life arc aspires to reach readers who treasure the subtleties of Anne Tyler, Pete Hamill and Anna Quindlen, but also enjoy the pace of Nicholas Sparks.
My professional background includes nearly 20 years of writing, editing, and managing ad copy, Web content, annual reports. I've also published more than 20 narrative features and opinion essays for The Oregonian.
I'd like the opportunity to submit my manuscript or at least an opening chunk. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
