the
paragon
pitch
a curse she never wanted · a love he never asked for · a magic neither can escape
Title: Paragon
Genre: Upper YA Historical Fantasy
Length: a lean & edited 110,000 words
Status: Actively querying
Note: Standalone with series potential
Logline: All Percy Paragon wants is to be seen for who she truly is—not as a living fairytale cursed with love at first sight. But when she boards a midnight streetcar bound for a forbidden fae world, she collides with Obsidian Glimmery, a conductor bound to dangerous Blood Magic. As fae immigrants begin to mysteriously vanish, the two must risk their secrets, their power, and the fragile trust growing between them before a world that profits from magic lets it disappear for good.
AN UNCONVENTIONAL QUERY LETTER
We're talking *delicious* slow-burn, grumpy x sunshine where the FMC is a skeptic & the MMC is a Gilded Age class clown.
Also a mom of two (soon-to-be three), bourbon collector (under a brief hiatus for pregnancy, obviously), amateur vegetable gardener, audiobook fiend, best-in-class "wing it" baker & musical theater nerd.
I’m seeking representation for PARAGON, a complete 110,000-word upper YA historical fantasy. Blending the romance and atmosphere of The Night Circus with the cursed coming of age tale of Ella Enchanted, PARAGON reimagines 1899 St. Paul as a city where love is a liability—and magic rides a midnight streetcar.
Cursed with love at first sight, Percy Paragon’s beauty is never her own—shifting to reflect anyone’s deepest desire. Desperate to reclaim her identity, she boards the forbidden Owl Car, a secret streetcar into Wildwood: a hidden fae sanctuary at the edge of the city.
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There, she meets Obsidian Glimmery, a conductor bound to dangerous Blood Magic and hiding secrets of his own. As fae begin to vanish and a strange sleeping sickness creeps through St. Paul, Percy and Obsidian must unravel the truth behind her curse before it destroys everything—including the fragile bond growing between them.
PARAGON blends historical fiction with high-stakes romantic fantasy. Inspired by real Gilded Age landmarks—including Wildwood Amusement Park, the James J. Hill House, and the lost streetcar systems of Minnesota—it weaves folklore, desire, and political tension into a lyrical, voice-driven narrative with crossover appeal.
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Told in dual POV and rich with atmosphere, PARAGON will appeal to fans of Caraval, The Cruel Prince, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
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Me? I'm searching for the right agent to represent my "mind palace" of ideas in the form of fairytale retellings set in unconventional historical settings. I have a 10+ of retail marketing & PR experience and am the creator behind the growing account: @katewroteabook. I’ve built an active community of readers and writers through storytelling, humor, and behind-the-scenes peeks into PARAGON's world. This is my debut novel.
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Warmly,
Kate
I know. I know. It's longer than we like to see for YA. I promise, this is a lean & edited 110k. If you don't think it's possible, I'll convince you!
why this book?
PARAGON is Upper YA with crossover appeal—perfect for readers who crave emotionally complex characters, slow-burn romance, magical realism, and historical fiction.
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Rich, atmospheric historical setting with real-world inspiration
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High-concept premise with emotional, character-driven execution
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Dual POV with a diverse, fully realized ensemble cast
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Seamlessly blends romance, folklore, and magical politics
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​Caraval — whimsical danger and secret bargains
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The Night Circus — lush prose, atmospheric magic, romantic tension
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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue — lyrical tone and cursed identity
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The Cruel Prince — fairy politics and dark magic
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Ella Enchanted — voice-driven girlhood and coming-of-age, perfect for an audience of 15+
comp titles
setting
Set in 1899 St. Paul, MN—where cobblestone streets hum with streetcars, fortunes rise with the railroads, and immigrant magic lingers just out of sight.
Inspired by:
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The real Wildwood Amusement Park on White Bear Lake
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The streetcar empires of James J. Hill and Twin Cities Rapid Transit
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The political tension and hidden folklore of Minnesota's Irish immigrant communities
Let’s talk about where this streetcar goes next.
PARAGON is currently querying!