Laura Crockett

#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.

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

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

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

Q9: YA Contemp. The labels and representation in this project made me cringe. The sensitivity to cultural, racial, and ethnic identity was completely tossed aside. Oof. Pass. #tenqueries

Q8: The writer wanted to form their own genre. No plot or characters or themes/tropes. Required a huge disclaimer for the "story" in order for me to "get it." I guess I don't get it. Pass. #tenqueries

Q7: YA Contemp. If I spend more time thinking of how I'd edit the query & sample pages to make it more commercially appealing and marketable, then it's not ready. Pass. #tenqueries

Q5: An email briefly stating the writer got their rights back and wanted to know if I'd be interested in representing them. Nothing about the project, no pitch, nada. Pass. #tenqueries

Q4: HF. Incredible endeavor, includes time travel. The HF concept was neat, the time travel justification weak. HF can be just as compelling without a modern-day time traveling character. Pass. #tenqueries

Q3: YA HF/F. Super awesome concept and well-written query, but the writing in the query's sample pages needs extensive editorial work. Not quite ready. Pass. #tenqueries

Q1: Writer queried me 3 diff projects (in genres/formats I do not rep) within 5 minutes of each other. Best to query one project, wait for response, and wait a good time frame (typically months) before querying another. Pass. #tenqueries

Q9: YA thriller. Has "Taken" vibes. I'm simply not a thriller person whatsoever -- best to query another agent at Triada. Pass. #tenqueries

Q8: "You're such a cute, young agent! You'll totally love [MS] because you'll relate to those perky, young kids I want to write for!" 😐 Pass. #tenqueries

I really shouldn't have to say why.

Q7: Responded to my rejection of MS1 by pitching MS2, but instead of detailing the ms, it was a business plan of what to do with the royalties from it. Both no-nos. Pass. #tenqueries

Q5: Initially pitched as SF, then YA SF, then later claims YA thriller. All characters are 30+ years old. Lacks understanding of target audience/genre. Pass. #tenqueries

Q4: Literary? Magical realism? Fantasy? Be clear and concise: what is the ms about? What are the obstacles? Why should we care? Don't wax poetic just yet. Pass. #tenqueries