Dear Secret Agent:
The last few months in the kingdom have been the worst of Will Landon’s fourteen years. Why should this feast day be any different?
With everyone else except him hard at work, Will makes the mistake of exploring the forbidden lower tunnels with a grudge and an empty stomach. Had he known that the cheese he found was no ordinary cheese, but the true source of the evil king’s power, he never would have eaten it. Okay, maybe he wouldn’t have touched it. But if he had known of the penalties—banishment and a disfiguring spell—surely he would have thought it through.
With help from the queen's stowaway dinosaur, a stolen pirate ship, the visiting dignitary’s kidnapped son and a timekeeper mouse that lives in his head, Will Landon embarks on a search for cheese. Will he find the royal cheese before time runs out?
THE CHEESEHEAD CURSE is a 37,000-word middle grade medieval fantasy for boys and girls, the first in a planned series. I have included the first 250 words for your review.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and have been an active member of SCBWI since 2004. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
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Will Landon looked around the castle’s kitchen for witnesses. For once, no one noticed him. They were busy preparing for the feast. He cupped a hand over a sweet-smelling treat and quickly slid it toward him.
Aunt Matilda slapped her fleshy hand down hard on his. “Off wit’ you!”
“Ouch!” Will yelled mostly in surprise. All eyes turned toward him, angrier than the last time. He flushed and dropped the pastry back into the stack.
“All good,” he said with a smile. “Just helping.” He patted it into place and turned from their glares toward Auntie’s.
“Sorry, Auntie,” he said, his head hanging low. He rubbed the hand she’d smacked.
“Of all days, you pick this one to try me?” She leaned into him, mere inches from his face. She blew out her words slowly, like a mad bull. “Stop. This nonsense. Before you. Get me. Into trouble.” Her exaggerated Irish accent and panting breath were signs that she was out of breath and out of patience.
“Sorry. Really.” Will held his palms up. “No treats. I promise.”
Auntie turned to the twenty or so people within the hot, heavy timbered structure. Raising her voice loud enough to be heard, she said, “You think I don’t see everything in this kitchen?” Everyone froze. “I see everything and everyone. Especially today.” She pointed a finger all around. They held their breaths until she turned back to Will.
With one hand cocked on her hip, she sighed. “Have you nothing to do?”
