Samantha Wekstein

Q1: MG Fantasy. Really original concept and clear stakes. Has researched me well. Word count is a little long, but still, request! #tenqueries

Q10: YA fantasy. This letter was well-written, but I struggled to understand how and why the characters got themselves into the situation in the first place when it seemed easily avoidable. Pass. #tenqueries

Q9: Chapter book. This is a genre with which I am less familiar. The summary was difficult to understand and I find it difficult to judge a project without the accompanying illustrations. Pass. #tenqueries

Q8: Adult sci-fi with an interesting premise, though one that feels too familiar. The writing in the letter is clunky. Pass. #tenqueries

Q7: Says it’s a YA fantasy, but seems to feature an adult main character. I’m also not connecting with the plot as there’s not really a clear goal for the MC aside from something super selfish. Pass. #tenqueries

Q6: New adult fantasy. The entire letter describes the writing process and I know nothing about the characters or plot. Don’t do this!!! Pass. #tenqueries

Q5: PB. Cute idea, but I am not currently looking for rhyming. The illustrations also look too computerized. I like more of a paint, freehand kind of style. For reference see @korrieleer. #tenqueries

Q4: Maybe I’m crazy, but it felt like this letter was put through Google Translate. I have absolutely no idea what this is. Seems like it could vaguely be adult fantasy, but I’ll never know. Pass. #tenqueries

Q3: Adult fantasy with Demons. Automatic pass for me. Aside from the demons, the letter is also super confusing. It references characters and creatures without grounding us in plot or world. #tenqueries

Q2: YA Horror. Love the opening few sentences, and it’s very hooky. But the writing in the letter feels awkward. Pass.

Q1: YA fantasy. Query letter doesn’t set up the goals or the stakes for the MC. We learn a bit about magic, but not enough to be intrigued. Pass #tenqueries

Q10: Adult historical fiction. Makes a convincing argument for why the setting is important, but doesn't talk at all about the specific characters and their struggles. Pass. #tenqueries

Q9: Adult Fantasy, but uses only YA comps? Writing in the letter is stilted. Pass. #tenqueries

Q8: YA, but tone and length feel like middle grade. Summary starts off strong w/clear main goal and obstacle of protag, but is too vague on what events happen, and what info is revealed. Pass. #tenqueries

Q7: Adult historical fiction. Three paragraphs of introduction. I don't even want to read the summary now, which is 8 paragraphs long. Pass. #tenqueries

Q6: YA gender-bent fairytale retelling. This feels too close to the original plot. I'm looking for a new angle, switching genders isn't enough. Pass #tenqueries

Q5: YA time travel. Cool setting and super clear motivations & conflict. I usually compare all time travel to Back to the Future, which is my bar. Not sure if we've met it, but sounds promising! Request! #tenqueries

Q4: Adult historical fiction. A badass gun-slinging woman, check. Clear goals and villain, check. This is a request! #tenqueries

Q3: I think this is an adult fantasy? It features sentient animals (which as a lover of Redwall, I'm not totally against). But we're not grounded in the dynamics or hierarchy of the world. Plus, are sentient animals right for an adult audience? Pass. #tenqueries

Q2: YA sci-fi. Almost no setup of the world or stakes. Too vague. Pass. #tenqueries