#290: You Had Me at Hello with Jennifer Rees

This week, we're running a takeover in collaboration with Reedsy freelancer Jennifer Rees, widely known for editing Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games! The winner of Jennifer's contest will not only be awarded $250 — they’ll also receive a special bonus prize: personal feedback from Jennifer herself. For your chance to get insight from one of Reedsy’s very own professionals, read on! Here's Jennifer:

Hello, writers! My name is Jennifer Rees, a developmental editor and copy editor here at Reedsy who specializes in picture books, middle grade novels, and teen fiction like The Hunger Games!

You can check out my Reedsy profile here.

This week’s contest is about something that's inspired authors, artists, songwriters, filmmakers, and creatives from the beginning of time: love. Everyone loves a good love story — even if they are hesitant to admit it. Just look at the popularity of the Hallmark Channel (no, not me, never!) and The Bachelorette! And before that, Romeo and Juliet, anything by Jane Austen… I could go on and on. Even stories and movies with themes that don’t immediately present themselves as love-centric (The Art of Racing in the Rain or Coco or even The Hunger Games) make our hearts spill over with vulnerability and emotion and hope.

As today is Valentine’s Day, I’ve been thinking about love in its many forms. Not just romantic love, but the very tender places that can be found when you least expect it: your first best friend, a rescued stray (human and non-human!), the birth of a baby, a new discovery or passion, and even yourself!

For this contest, let’s write some stories that expand on the idea of love in all its many wonderful, messy, tender, beautiful, and heartbreaking moments.

I’m excited for you to join me in this challenge of the heart!

Special Update: The Results

Jennifer's top pick for her takeover was "The Night We Killed Kyle: Heartbreak Edition" by Audrey Elizabeth. Here's what she had to say about the winning story: "This story is so fun to read! From the very first sentence, it transports readers to middle school — the place of swirling hormones, the sisterhood of friendship, heartbreak, angst, Fruit Gushers, and jerks like Kyle. I especially loved the female camaraderie — beautifully achieved in such a short span of time — with characters who felt like they could walk right off the page. Most admirable to me is that there is so much brilliant humor here, but also real depth, moving and eloquent. The greatest love of all? Friends who will help you kill Kyle!"

Congratulations to contest winner Audrey Elizabeth and the runners-up, L.S. Scott and Orwell King!