Sharon Belcastro

Literary Agent

Belcastro Agency

Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

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

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

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

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

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

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

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

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

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

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

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

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

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.

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips
Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q7 Starts with word cound and genre (good) but then goes into all the themes and topics it covers. Nothing noting who or what the story is about. Pass @belcastr

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q5 Starts by noting our interest in screenplays. We don't represent screenplay. Pass. @belcastr

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#QueryTip #TenQueries Q4 Full synopsis and first three chapter attached per guidelines (perfect). Notes title, genre (perfect) but not market. Like to know if its adult or YA. Also includes word count (perfect) but it's over 200k. Way too long for the genre. Must pass. @belcastr

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips
Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#tenqueries 9: YA query letter fabulously crafted and a really unique concept. Jumped right into first three chapters but the POV makes me feel like I'm looking down on the protagonist and not in the story with her. pass.

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#tenqueries 8: Story sounds super cute but we don't represent picture or chapter books. pass

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#tenqueries 7: Much ado about what the novel contains, where it is set and what it promises but nothing about what it is actually about. pass

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#tenqueries 6: Very vague and general description. Not much clue as to what the story is actually about. pass

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#tenqueries 5: Mystery / suspense. Good concept but first three chapters are all backstory. Not entirely sure what this protagonist has to fear. pass

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#tenqueries 4: An intriguing thriller with a unique hook. Well crafted query letter. Definitely got my attention. First three chapters just don't deliver on the thrills I had hoped to see. Pass.

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#tenqueries 3: YA Horror. Would love to see more YA horror submissions. A very nicely written query letter. Clear and concise. Protagonist is a bit young for YA and story reads a bit more on the middle grade side. Pass.

Sharon Belcastro
@SharonBelcastro
Literary Agent
Introvert surviving in an extroverted world. Lover of books, animals, plants, the beach, working out and eating tacos. @belcastr
52 MSWL
50 Queries
17 Tips

#tenqueries 2: YA Fantasy. I do love my YA fantasy. Great comparable titles. Kudos for a great hook line. Sounds like it's full of some great conflict and adventure. Just doesn't sound different enough to stand out among the competition.