FINISHED NOVELS and WIPs
Melissa Hed is actively seeking literary agent representation.
Spellstitching
Adult, magical realism, Jewish themes and characters. Work-in-progress.
For fans of Laura Esquivel and Alice Hoffman, this WIP adult fiction features sixty-five-year-old Meira, a seamstress who casts spells into her stitching, meant to protect the wearer. The spells are always well thought out, and always hidden in code. Now she must teach her granddaughter Anna to spell-stitch. Only, Anna is not like Meira. Anna is bold, where Meira is reserved, direct where Meira is circumspect. Teaching Anna to spellstitch could be Meira's biggest mistake, or, it just might be her salvation.
The Other Side of Normal
Unpublished YA Fantasy, complete at 57,000 words
For fans of DUMPLIN’ by Julie Murphy and THE GOOD PLACE, this story is about a girl on the edge of death who tries like hell to become more mensch than mean girl in her bid to become her school's first plus-sized homecoming queen.
This story borrows from Jewish mythology and mysticism and promotes body positivity with sensitivity, sensuality, and a good dose of humor. A quick and satisfying read featured in #PitchWars 2017.
The Heart of Hestia
Unpublished MG Fantasy, complete at 78K words
Portal fantasy featuring Carribean folklore about a young Taino shaman who takes her two friends on a journey to the Underworld, unaware that a family curse traps them there unless they solve a riddle. READER BEWARE: these pages are bursting with spiteful fairies, dirty mudders, scheming syrens, and dragon farts.
THE HEART OF HESTIA was a featured finalist in the Crested Butte Writer's Conference 2014 Sandy Writing Contest.