Query Letter
I am pleased to present my debut novel, The Crimson Heir, an adult, character driven fantasy novel completed at 80,000 words for your representation. It is the first installment in a planned series with an ensemble POV which will appeal to readers of The Bone Season and The Bridge Kingdom. This story is for readers who are striking out on their own for the first time, struggling to prove themselves to a skeptical world.
When an enemy nation invades the Kingdom of Geldhart, Princess Tania barely manages to escape with her life. Now she is all that remains of the royal family, hiding in plain sight while her kingdom falls under foreign occupation. As tensions rise and the enemy creeps closer, she is forced to flee her own country to escape their grip.
Determined to reclaim her throne, Tania tours the realm seeking aid from neighboring nations. But as a young woman with no army, no allies, and no experience, she struggles to prove herself and her kingdom as a worthwhile investment. Willing to enter trade negotiations, restore old marriage pacts, and take part in conditional agreements, her idealist beliefs are tested by apathetic nations, fragile alliances, and calculating leaders.
Realizing that no one will be coming to her aid, Tania comes to terms with the realities of the world her family worked so hard to protect her from. If she wants her kingdom back, she will have to stop asking permission and claim it on her own. Accompanied by an unlikely band of supporters, she must return home to rally a fractured nation to action, become the leader she was never meant to be, before the next kingdom falls.
Working as an aircraft mechanic for the United States Coast Guard as a woman in an obviously male dominated field, I am consistently underestimated and have to prove my capability every day. This perspective gives me a special insight into Tania’s story and any one who has struggled to earn their place.
Thank you for your time and consideration. This is a high fantasy story that emphasizes the importance of a found family and women empowerment. My characters’ voices and stories make for an experience rich story. I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Ren Wayland
Works of Ren Wayland 