Win a Manuscript Critique

michelle_d_argyle_out_of_tune

 

Michelle D. Argyle whose lastest book, Out of Tune, is out today, is giving away a FREE in-depth manuscript critique. This is a fantastic opportunity and a major saving for anyone wanting a manuscript assessment.

Michelle lives in Utah, surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains. She is an award-winning short story writer, has eight titles published, including five novels and a degree in Creative Writing. On top of that, she has been wonderfully generous in helping me navigate the print publishing options available in the US to indie publishers. Details on how to enter her competition can be found at the end of this post.

But mainly I wanted to tell you about her book. It’s about country music. And before you say, ‘I’m not in to country music,’ I ask you: ‘Are you not in to Keith Urban?’

Twenty-year-old Maggie Roads’ parents are legendary in the country music world. She wants nothing more than to follow in their footsteps, but the limelight isn’t reserved for singers who can’t carry a tune, let alone keep a rhythm.

Already Maggie has a special place in my heart, because I know what it’s like not to be able to carry a tune. My Dad is a piano accordian player, who used to play at country dancers and can sing Moon River with the best of them. But me…I once got the lead in our high school play, apparently I can act okay…however this play happened to be a musical – and to my horror I discovered I am one of those people you would describe as tonally deaf – fortunately the lovely Melanie Meers (Ricketts) came to my rescue, dubbing my voice for the singing parts. So imagine the pressure of being a child of music legends, wanting to sing, and not being able to. That’s Maggie.

When her parents tell her they’re getting divorced, Maggie decides it’s time to leave home and take her future into her own hands. Moving in with Cole, her best friend and sometimes boyfriend, might not be the best of ideas, but she’s got to start somewhere. Their off-and-on romance gets even more complicated when Maggie crushes on her new voice teacher, Nathan, who unlocks her stunning potential. A sensational music career of her own is finally within reach, but Maggie might need more than perfect pitch to find what she’s really looking for.

Reading this book, might put you in the mood for a little bit of country. If you have not seen it, take a look at Country Strong, an underrated movie with some lovely tracks that came out in 2010. And while you’re there, watch Duets. Gwynneth Paltrow charms in that movie too, but Paul Giametti and Andre Braugher steal the show with their unforgettable rendition of Try A Little Tenderness.

You can find more info on Out of Tune here, including where to order.

And here are the details of Michelle’s Manuscript Critique Competition

  • Competition closes 20 December 2013
  • Offer is good to 31 December 2014
  • Submit a one line sentence on your story to hook her in
  • To enter, go to: http://michelledargyle.com/blog/

So tell me, what’s your favourite country music song?

 

 

1 reply
  1. Michelle D. Argyle
    Michelle D. Argyle says:

    Thank you so much for posting this! Country Strong was actually one of the movies that I watched for research when I was starting Out of Tune. One of the songs from the soundtrack is included in Maggie\’s Playlist at the end of the book. 🙂

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