A woman (sketched by Jazz, colored by me) holds a veena in front of a palace (public domain Canva image). The title says "Embroidered"

The pitch: In an 1800's India-inspired world, a court musician plays pretty melodies at night, and by day, plots deadly revenge on the governor to reclaim her inheritance. But when a runaway princess with a devastating smile arrives in her city, the civil unrest that ensues might kill them both first

Four different comp titles: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma, and The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh. The descriptors include: themes of colonialism and cultural erasure, heroines that grow into themselves and lean into rebellion, South Asian mythology and folklore + female rage, and revenge plots derailed by unexpected love.

One section holds the opening lines: “There were traditions that existed for the sake of continuity— careful connections to our roots and ancestors— and then there were those we could do without. Amma’s daily performance, I thought, fell into the latter.” One section has an excerpt: “I just nodded, shifting my gaze back to the idol. Her golden cheeks glistened and I was desperate to change the subject. “They say when your plea to the goddess truly moves her, she cries sea-water tears.” “I’ve heard of that,” Roshni said, brightening. “If you catch them, I think they grant wishes?” “Do they?” “Myths.” The kumari shrugged. “Things for me to believe in and for you to analyze skeptically.” I had to grin at that, leaning towards her. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m the more faithful out of the pair of us.” She rolled her eyes, tilting up her chin even as her lips stretched wide. “I do love your nath,” she admitted. Her fingers came up to press against the gold hoop at my nose. And suddenly it was too much contact. Too little contact. Every sensible thought I’d ever had left my head.”

The Jasmine Throne x The Phoenix King
An #agentsguide to EMBROIDERED, a South Asian inspired adult fantasy complete at 97k words.

Title page character sketched by Jazz and colored by me.

I also host a small discord for querying writers! It's not just LGBTQ writers but it's meant to be an inclusive space :))

Raag Miya Malhar is the embodiment of rain and storm-- bold, melodic, and powerful. Created by Tansen, a court musician known as the jewel of the Gwalior Gharana, the composition is meant to call for rainfall. Tansen's history heavily influenced my manuscript, EMBROIDERED.

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Alt text:
Meme 1: Gru holds up a board with in four panels describing the steps of a revenge plan animatedly. The last panel has "fall in love with a runaway princess" and his face falls.
Meme 2: A house burns in the back (The Vajra Court) as a child at the front smiles (Aneesa).

Aneesa's revenge plans still need some polishing...
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Thank you!!

Miya Malhar/Megh Malhar : ) Malharish might be an alternate!

I love this nuisance of a shadow 👀

"Besides, being almost there is our thing."

LOVE that!

100 percent lol!

This is sooo cool!

An image of a sunset overlayed with a pink square. The quote inside reads "There were traditions that existed for the sake of continuity-- careful connections to our roots and ancestors-- and then there were those we could do without. Amma's daily performance, I thought, fell into the latter." Sunset image by middelveld, obtained through Canva stock photos.

The opening lines of EMBROIDERED 🖊️
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A very good one at that !! haha

very!! ha

thank you!

A woman in an anarkali holds a veena close to her face. She looks angry and wistful. Text: Aneesa: Veena-player at the Vajran Palace whose music is believed to bring rain in the drought. Fiercely loyal to her music troop. Intent on avenging her mother. Faithful to the water goddesses. Prone to impulsivity. Absolutely, completely, irrevocable in love with a runaway princess. Sketch by Jazz, coloring by me, Put together via Canva

Introducing Aneesa 🎻🎻
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Sketching by Jazz
Coloring by me

So atmospheric!

I'm so happy that's coming through!

Yay! Exactly :))

Appreciate it!

Thank you!

A must!!

thanks :)

thank you!!

Feel this!!

A mood board with themes of sunsets and water. Includes several images: a Rajasthani palace, a woman with a nose ring, a dholak, a diya, letters, a bronze statue, the deep sea and images of water, a fisherman casting a net, a Veena, and the Jal Mahal.

Inspiration for EMBROIDERED ✨✨
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YES to the lovers-to-enemies!!

thank you 🥹

EMBROIDERED

🕐 1800's India-inspired world
🎻 A court musician out for revenge
👑 Falls in love w/ a runaway princess
✉️ Letters that prove an inheritance
💔 Lovers to enemies
🦚 Indian mythology and folklore
🔥 Messy leads w/ generational trauma
⚔️ Civil unrest + rebellion

#preDV #F #A #Asian #WOC #WLW

Sounds so interesting!!