Laura Crockett

#tenqueries Q10: HF. Writer appeared to do their research because it was practically click-bait for me, with great comps and awesome premise. The writing was so well-written in the sample, I needed more! Researching an agent's preferences always helps! Partial. #querywin

#tenqueries Q9: HF. Very well-written query, with a hook and enticing premise. Unique perspective in an otherwise saturated topic. However, the writing in the sample needed more revision; it didn't grab me. Pass.

#tenqueries Q8: UF/PR. Told me about how the writer wrote it, the themes they used, the message they want to get across. Nothing about characters, plot, hook, etc. Pass.

#tenqueries Q7: YA C. The query was kind of all over the place, which suggests the manuscript is all over the place. Where does your story begin? What are your MC's motivations and obstacles? Entice me. Pass.

#tenqueries Q6: YA F. With the opening lines of the query the writer captured my attention––super unique premise, weird job, kinda gross but fascinating––and the writing in the sample was excellent! Partial. #querywin

#tenqueries Q5: A F. The query was fine––everything was there, written well, etc––but the writing in the sample just plain didn't capture my attention. In a market bursting with West Euro magic royalty narratives, it really needs to stand out. Pass.

#tenqueries Q4: YA F. Super interesting and unique gender-flipped lesser-known folk tale. Captivating opening scene that immersed me in the world w/o info-dumping. Partial. #querywin

#tenqueries Q3: Opened by insulting literary agents, stating we do not give full consideration to queries, so if there was something the writer ought to improve in the pitch we ought to state where and why.

...Pass.

#tenqueries Q2: I've no idea. Several paragraphs all about the writer, with a brief interlude of "my book is about this and that and it has these themes," followed by more self indulgence. Pass.

#tenqueries Q1: WF. It seemed...fine, but the query's MC seemed boring/flat while the secondary characters' stories were far more interesting. Perhaps THEIR story ought to be told? Pass.

Q10: F. Unique fantasy spin on actual historical events, tight and snappy query, beautiful writing in the sample, answers a call on my MSWL. Partial. #tenqueries #querywin

Q9: Nonfic + MG. Two pitches in one email (no), next to nothing actually within the pitches (no), poor writing, grammar, and punctuation in writing sample (no). Pass. #tenqueries

Q8: F. The novel's construct was explained, and yet somehow nothing about the characters or plot appeared. Pass. #tenqueries

Q7: YA Contemp. The second it popped in my inbox I knew I had to have it. Great voice, speaks to my MSWL, premise that's both unique and commercial. Partial. #tenqueries #querywin

Q6: F. Query contained a couple lines of "it's/the story's about" and "then X happens," followed by several lines of bio. Entice the reader -- practice writing the pitch by reviewing book jackets (no "it's about/then this" to be found!). Pass. #tenqueries

Q5: YA psych suspense. That genre is not my cup of tea to begin with, but the premise had triggering content personally. Strong concept though, so I passed it to another at the agency instead. #tenqueries

Q4: YA F. A legend retelling with a unique twist. Premise and comp titles line up nicely, and the sample writing solid. Partial. #tenqueries #querywin

Q3: F. Concept almost verbatim to Lynn Kurland's Nine Kingdoms series. Writing in sample needs a bit more polish and less info-dumping in initial pages. Pass. #tenqueries

Q2: Romance. Multiple attachments, BCC'd (a sign of a mass-mailing!), and nothing about the romance really stood out to me as something I would want to rep if I DID rep strictly romance. Pass. #tenqueries

Q1: MG Contemp. Pretty interesting concept tackling current events, but the writing is anything but marketed for a MG reader (or even a fiction reader?). Pass. #tenqueries