FINISHED NOVELS and WIPs
Melissa Hed is actively seeking literary agent representation.
The Spellstitchers
Adult, magical realism
For fans of Laura Esquivel and Alice Hoffman, this three-generation adult fiction features sixty-five-year-old Rose, a Jewish seamstress who casts spells into clothing. Her spells are always well thought out, always hidden in code. But Anna is impetuous where Rose is careful, forthright where Rose is circumspect. Teaching Anna to spellstitch could be Rose's biggest mistake, or, it just might be her salvation.
The Other Side of Normal
YA Contemporary Fantasy, complete at 57,000 words
For fans of DUMPLIN’ by Julie Murphy and THE GOOD PLACE. A Jewish girl on the edge of death tries like hell to become more mensch than mean girl in her bid to become her high school's first plus-sized homecoming queen.
Promoting body positivity with sensitivity, sensuality, and a good dose of humor, this quick and satisfying read was featured in #PitchWars 2017.
The Heart of Hestia
MG Fantasy, complete at 78K words
Three-POV portal fantasy featuring Jewish and Taino characters. A young shaman takes her two friends on a journey, unaware that a family curse traps them in the Underworld where they must broker peace between spiteful fairies, sock-stealing mudders, and scheming syrens before deadly dragon farts destroy them all.
THE HEART OF HESTIA was a featured finalist in the Crested Butte Writer's Conference 2014 Sandy Writing Contest.