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
Literary Agent
#10. Picture book. Way outside my wishlist. Pass.
Literary Agent
#8. Author references some titles the agency represent as comps. That’s awesome. But it’s an adult contemporary at over 200k words. Pass.
Literary Agent
#7. A middle grade novel. Not currently acquiring. Most up to date wishlist is on website. Pass.
Literary Agent
#4. Addressed to someone else. And again it’s adult fiction. Know who you are submitting to and what they are looking for. Pass.
Literary Agent
#3. Another adult fiction submission. And it’s 155k words. If I was acquiring adult fiction it would be too long for me. Pass.
Literary Agent
#2. A contemporary adult fiction. I don’t represent adult at this point. Please read targets agent’s wishlist before you submit. Pass
Literary Agent
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.
Literary Agent
#QueryTip #TenQueries Q10 Under 40k word novella pitched as novel. Pass. @belcastr
Literary Agent
#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
Literary Agent
#QueryTip #TenQueries Q5 Starts by noting our interest in screenplays. We don't represent screenplay. Pass. @belcastr
Literary Agent
#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
Literary Agent
#tenqueries 10. A mix of too many genres for my taste. pass.
Literary Agent
#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.
Literary Agent
#tenqueries 8: Story sounds super cute but we don't represent picture or chapter books. pass
Literary Agent
#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
Literary Agent
#tenqueries 6: Very vague and general description. Not much clue as to what the story is actually about. pass
Literary Agent
#tenqueries 5: Mystery / suspense. Good concept but first three chapters are all backstory. Not entirely sure what this protagonist has to fear. pass
Literary Agent
#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.
Literary Agent
#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.
Literary Agent
#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.