Uwe Stender

Who knows? Nonetheless, I would not give it a second of thought. Drink the tea, don't read the leaves.

Yes. In fact, a publisher should tell you to get an agent.

For me, it means it is a strong project, but maybe 90% of the time it sounds like a 16 year old talking, but 10% of the time it sounds like a 40 year old writing a 16 year old, but can they pull it off 100% of the time? Etc.

When I started out, at one point I was 0/1000. Then I stopped keeping track. I am sorry you have depression, but in this business, my only advice is to "not take it personally," which is tough, BUT true. Hang on in there.

Alexandra!!! So nice to hear from you. It's tough. Most pubs appear to be convinced that nobody reads that age group..."too old" OR "too young." I disagree with that assessment, but... My, probably useless, advice: write the story you are compelled to write. It MAY still work!

I don't care. Too personalized is creepy, IMO.

I can't speak for others, but if you sign with me, my intent is to be your career agent.

In fiction, I could not care less.

Not at all. *My* NO is just mine.

You are putting me on the spot. There are Sooo many books. Hmmm. NACHTS AM ASKANISCHEN PLATZ by @SusiGoga. It is a FANTASTIC mystery that perfectly blends with historical detail.

I do, but mostly for "already clients" who decide to write them. IF they are BRILLIANT, I am open to them.

Oh my goodness. MANY of my authors don't sell their first book. Maybe it's me, I hope not, but that is more common than you might think.

So far, publishing is still alive. My biggest concern lies with the independent bookstores, AND even Barnes& Noble. They all need to survive, because if only Amazon stays around, it will be the death knell. So, buy your books preferably not from Amazon. Sometimes, you don't have

I am not certain that I understand the entirety of your question, but yes, your query should focus on one book, IMO.

Anything that makes me laugh or cry for good reasons.

No, not true.

Since I have NEVER dropped a client, except on two extraordinary occasions, I am not the best person to ask. From what I hear, it is that they cannot make enough money from you. Your commodity value is too low. But that is simply a guess. Maybe they had extraordinary occasions.

I think it is fine. In novels, I want escapism. I live this awful reality, I want hope, I need hope. So, don't write contemporary pandemic, unless it somehow is a love story, or a rom com, or anything that does not remind me of this mess.

No querying delays here. They fly in just like always. So, no, not in my experience.

No. It's utterly meaningless until they ACTUALLY offer representation.