Sara Megibow
Literary Agent
KT Literary
she/her Literary Agent at KT Literary. Reading, parenting, table top gaming, baking challah, hiking and wine tasting. Always LGBTQIA+ friendly!
- #mswl (17)
- #tenqueries (141)
- #queryfail (13)
- #querytip (69)
- #pubtip (434)
- #querystats (9)
- #askagent (1)
- #10queriesIn10tweets (111)
- #AskKTLit (12)
- #5QueriesIn5Tweets (46)
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Literary Agent
#3 = contemporary young adult. Query describes internal conflict but nothing about external conflict/ story. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#2 = contemporary middle grade. Narrative voice feels silly/ talking down to reader. MG voice is tough! PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#1 = science fiction. Lots of details but no sense of story/hook/pitch. Query should describe book not just world. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
Yes, I know it's tough to see all the PASS here. Almost all my clients come from query slush pile = it does work! #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
Here is an example of a successful query letter BTW: writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/g… #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#10 = dystopian YA. Hero feels more like a caricature (needs more character motivation/ development) PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
"I know I don't have a chance in heck with all the drivel out there" = not the reason I passed. Still = Don't Do This. #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#9 = science fiction. Query goes for self deprecation instead of serious (see next tweet) Also, writing not strong PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#8 = middle grade fantasy. Introduces heroine but not conflict and the magic system feels generic. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#7 = fantasy. Fabulous world building and very strong writing. Intriguing heroine + clear/strong pitch. ACCEPT #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#6 = contemporary middle grade. Narrative voice feels too old and plot feels like it's talking-down to reader. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#5 = YA science fiction. The conflict and world feels generic and writing isn't *quite* strong enough. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#4 = science fiction. Query talks about reasons why these themes are important but doesn't introduce characters. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#3 = romance. Self published so PASS. I don't rep previously published at all (and I see this too often in queries) #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#2 = YA fantasy. Interesting heroine and strong hook but grammar and writing not quite strong enough. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
#1 = fantasy (adult, not YA). Query focuses entirely on backstory and setup - no hook, pitch, plot. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
In preparation for #10queriesIn10tweets - a comment: most submissions I see are very good. Just Not Quite There Yet.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
Example: SOLD (from a slush pile query) THE TIGER'S DAUGHTER by @ArsenaultRivera ktliterary.com/2016/04/sold-c… #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
Example: SOLD (from a slush pile query) Fred Turner's APOCALYPSE: ktliterary.com/2016/06/sold-c… #10queriesIn10tweets
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1720481073920958464/1kqojyOa_bigger.jpg)
Literary Agent
Despite queries seeming overwhelming, the process still works for me. Crazy, I know. #10queriesIn10tweets