GENRE: *STEM/STEAM, NF, Rhyming
WORDS: 520
Query:
Dear Buzz-Worthy Judges:
I’m excited to share my manuscript, BUMBLE BEE POO-POURRI with you!
Bumblebees bustle. Bumblebees buzz. But do bumblebees POOP? They certainly do! Technically it’s called “frass” and it gets eaten by their siblings. Eew! BUMBLEBEE POO-POURRI (520 words) shares the inside scoop on fascinating (sometimes disgusting) facts about bumblebees in a captivating poo-pourri of information.
My manuscript is in the vein of FREAKY FUNKY FISH: Odd Facts About Fascinating Fish, by Debra Kempf Shumaker and Claire Powell (Running Press Kids 2021) because of its clever rhyme and interesting, nonfiction facts and OUTSIDE, YOU NOTICE, by Erin Alladin and Andrea Blinick (Pajama Press 2021) since my manuscript encourages readers to look for bumblebee “evidence” in nature.
I’m a freelance curriculum writer for The Sunday School Store and an Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI, a member of Children’s Book Insider, several critique groups and a previous 12×12 member. My children’s poetry has been featured in The Dirigible Balloon and has won honorable mentions in various contests. In 2022, I had the distinction of being one of only four rhyming finalists in #PBParty. Since then, I have continued to hone my craft and have branched out into prose and nonfiction to make my manuscripts more enticing for the current market.
Per your submission requirements, the first 70 words of my manuscript are enclosed for your review.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Excerpt:
Busy, buzzing bumblebee,
hungry, searching—on a spree!
FASCINATING FACT: Did you know bumblebees rarely sting? The males don’t even have
stingers!
Luscious blue and purple blooms,
mesmerize like peacock plumes.
FASCINATING FACT: Bumblebees love blue and violet flowers because of their nectar-rich
petals.
Zip and zoom, a pause to eat.
Flower nectar, fragrant treat.
FASCINATING FACT: Bumblebees have long, tubular tongues that slurp like a straw to soak
up nectar.
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
My CP’s and I challenged each other with a writing prompt. Our draft had to include several words from various categories we submitted to. One of the story topics was ‘bumblebee poop’ and it got me curious—DO they poop?! I had to find out! My research took me down a rabbit hole, unearthing the answer and a treasure trove of other fascinating facts about bumblebees. When I realized there wasn’t a PB out there with this information, I knew I HAD to write it. (Fun fact- All the original writing prompt words I chose are still in my manuscript!)
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