The Writer's Voice: WHO IS BERKLEY ADAMS?

GUYS! This Brexican writer just got picked by the luck goddess; AKA, I've been selected for The Writer's Voice.

Thank you, random chance! I am forever in your debt.

So, here's my query and the first 250 words of my novel, WHO IS BERKLEY ADAMS? This baby's pumped and ready for feedback.

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QUERY:

The future of Ben and Travis’ brotherly bond hinges on one thing—destroying Berkley Adams. 

After a childhood trauma, sixteen-year-old identical twins Ben and Travis made themselves impossible to tell apart. But their safe haven shatters when Berkley Adams, prep school genius determined to avenge her cousin, identifies Ben from Travis and challenges them to a game of riddles. Furious, they leap at the chance for revenge and set out to answer her riddle: “Who is Berkely Adams” before she can inflict more damage.  

Clue by clue, they seek to turn the game against her, but as they discover Berkley’s more intimate side, her secrets transform her into someone likeable—friend-worthy, even. The clock is ticking down, and the twins must make a choice: lose the game and their condependent bond, or solve Berkley’s riddle and sacrifice her growing friendship. The choice should be easy, used to be easy, but Ben can’t help looking for a way to win Berkley's game and keep her too. The only problem? Travis has protected him from the world—from outsiders like Berkley—since they were kids, and he’s not about to stop now. 

In the vein of PAPER TOWNS and CRUEL INTENTIONS, WHO IS BERKLEY ADAMS? is a 82,000 word YA Contemporary. I have previously interned with Shadow Mountain Publishing, acting as editor in chief for a team of eighteen interns through all stages of editing a YA novel: content, line, and copy inclusive. Additionally, my short story won second place in the Roane State competition.

FIRST 250:

“Dude, your contacts are gone.” Travis checked their bathroom vanity. “Seriously, your go-to pair, your back-up pair, even your contact solution—poof. Nothing but this card . . .”

Ben bowed his head and scrunched his mouth tight. What was he going to do without his contacts? He’d have to show up for school at Northside Collegiate in half an hour, and he’d either be blind or wearing glasses. Glasses that would make him look different from his identical twin. In public. Where outsiders could see.

“Hey, something’s written on the back.” Travis lifted a white rectangle. “‘To Ben Northside,” he read aloud, “and also to Travis Northside, who is likely reading aloud for his brother. I apologize for the petty theft, but don’t be alarmed, you’ll thank me soon.’”

Ben crossed his arms. Who would write this? Only their mother left notes for them, and those were restricted to the kitchen.

“‘As you can see—or rather, not see—your contacts have been removed from your possession. This is only to prep you both for our meeting today at Northside Collegiate, whereupon you will be issued a challenge. No need to worry—I’ll find you. Additional apologies for this morning’s inconvenience, but you may find that blindness will deliver a sharper perspective. Sincerely,’” Travis hesitated, “Berkley Adams’?”

Ben pulled his eyebrows together as cold flooded down his back. Who was Berkley Adams?

“I think,” Travis said with a slow-growing grin, “we have a new game on our hands.”