Sharon Belcastro

#10 Fantastic log line! Appreciate an author that can grab interest in their story in a few words. Unfortunately, market and genre not represented by anyone in the agency.

#9 Adult fiction. Don't represent. Word count is way too high. Won't even read to see if a colleague may be interested. Know your genre.

#8 Another adult suspense. Again, I don't represent but the concept looks quite interesting. Will forward to a colleague.

#7 Actually a really well crafted query letter. Introduces the character, their goal, what they are up against and what's at stake if they fail. Short, sweet and to the point. Concept just isn't for me.

#6 Describes setting, themes explored, why it was written, what author is hoping to achieve with its publication but doesn't tell me what the story is about. Pass.

#5 YA fantasy. One of my favorite genres. Word count spot on. A great feel for the story conveyed in one short but powerful sentence. Western setting but I'm intrigued enough to read the sample.

#4 A PB. I don't represent. Would forward it to a colleague but query doesn't tell me what the story is about.

#3 Grabbed by the title. Word count right on target. Fantastic comps. Super unique and intriguing plot. I will definitely read the sample!

#2 Halted by the word count. Far under the guidelines for YA fiction. Pass.

#1 Nice job of grabbing my interest with an interesting and unique protagonist. Concept is definitely intriguing. But I don't rep adult suspense so I will pass on to one of my colleagues.

#10. Picture book. Way outside my wishlist. Pass.

#9. An 86k word adult thriller. Which again I don’t represent but the pitch sounds fantastic so I will forward to my colleague.

#8. Author references some titles the agency represent as comps. That’s awesome. But it’s an adult contemporary at over 200k words. Pass.

#7. A middle grade novel. Not currently acquiring. Most up to date wishlist is on website. Pass.

#6. This one grabs me immediately. A ya mystery with an extremely intriguing premise. Author notes fantastic comps which happen to be some of my fave authors. Word count is a little low but I am definitely going to check this one out!

#5. A YA fantasy. Definitely on my wishlist. Premise is interesting. Word count right on. Introduces me to the protagonist, her greatest desire, what’s in her way of it, and what’s at stake if she fails. Well done and I will definitely read the sample.

#4. Addressed to someone else. And again it’s adult fiction. Know who you are submitting to and what they are looking for. Pass.

#3. Another adult fiction submission. And it’s 155k words. If I was acquiring adult fiction it would be too long for me. Pass.

#2. A contemporary adult fiction. I don’t represent adult at this point. Please read targets agent’s wishlist before you submit. Pass

Ok. #tenqueries let’s go:
#1-really low word count. Author trying to be too clever by writing the query from the protagonists point of view. Says YA but feels middle grade to me. Pass.