Sara Megibow

#3 = contemporary young adult. Query describes internal conflict but nothing about external conflict/ story. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#2 = contemporary middle grade. Narrative voice feels silly/ talking down to reader. MG voice is tough! PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#1 = science fiction. Lots of details but no sense of story/hook/pitch. Query should describe book not just world. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

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

Here is an example of a successful query letter BTW: writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/g… #10queriesIn10tweets

#10 = dystopian YA. Hero feels more like a caricature (needs more character motivation/ development) PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

"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

#9 = science fiction. Query goes for self deprecation instead of serious (see next tweet) Also, writing not strong PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#8 = middle grade fantasy. Introduces heroine but not conflict and the magic system feels generic. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#7 = fantasy. Fabulous world building and very strong writing. Intriguing heroine + clear/strong pitch. ACCEPT #10queriesIn10tweets

#6 = contemporary middle grade. Narrative voice feels too old and plot feels like it's talking-down to reader. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#5 = YA science fiction. The conflict and world feels generic and writing isn't *quite* strong enough. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#4 = science fiction. Query talks about reasons why these themes are important but doesn't introduce characters. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#3 = romance. Self published so PASS. I don't rep previously published at all (and I see this too often in queries) #10queriesIn10tweets

#2 = YA fantasy. Interesting heroine and strong hook but grammar and writing not quite strong enough. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#1 = fantasy (adult, not YA). Query focuses entirely on backstory and setup - no hook, pitch, plot. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

In preparation for #10queriesIn10tweets - a comment: most submissions I see are very good. Just Not Quite There Yet.

Example: SOLD (from a slush pile query) THE TIGER'S DAUGHTER by @ArsenaultRivera ktliterary.com/2016/04/sold-c… #10queriesIn10tweets

Example: SOLD (from a slush pile query) Fred Turner's APOCALYPSE: ktliterary.com/2016/06/sold-c… #10queriesIn10tweets

Despite queries seeming overwhelming, the process still works for me. Crazy, I know. #10queriesIn10tweets