Query- Crucible of Silver (revision 3)

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Silver squirrel has tried everything and failed. “God!” he cries out. “I want to live! ”

Silver’s faced predators, bitter cold and embitterment inside, and all because the squirrel leaders burned down his home. Does he have to forgive them now?

He’s come a long way from insignificant beginnings under a stump. He was timid and immature. Now, he’s just ruined, but perhaps he’s learned how to love. He loved Sandy Brown, that’s for sure. He has grown. Maybe it was a refining fire that got him here.

An idea begins to form, a plan, not just to save himself, but all of them. Old Jacob used to say he had a special destiny. This might be it. He’ll face the hawk who’s taken so many squirrels, but if it works, he’ll have this one treasure, Sandy by his side.

Crucible of Silver is a coming of age story completed at 70,000 words.

I have been published in several trade publications including Keyframe Magazine. I studied screen writing, and have completed three novels. I worked in film (Star Trek, Spiderman 2) and animation (Roughnecks, Dan Dare, Mystic Knights), and published software and documentation for the animation industry for a number of years before finishing my books.

The book has been professionally copy edited. There are two completed sequels, Silver Squirrel in Uneasy Pieces, and Silver Squirrel and The Court of Animals, forming a trilogy. The series has been in the works for 16 years, while I spent time in the wilderness. There are allusions to the Bible, similar to the Narnia books, but its not religious in nature. It’s intended the be good clean fun. The Newbery winning Mrs. Frizby and the Rats of NIMH was a huge influence as well, existing in a very similar universe.

According to your submission guidelines, I have included a synopsis and the first chapter of the manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.