ps. "thriller" doesn't make it too old for YA. Successful YA thrillers include DROP OF NIGHT #10queriesIn10tweets

#5 = YA thriller. Heroine and conflict feel too old for YA. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#4 = historical fantasy. Some cool concepts here but weak writing and not-compelling hero. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#3 = dystopian young adult. Writing (grammar, sentence structure, description, everything) is weak. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

ps. But I AM excited to be seeing more science fiction romance in my slush pile recently! Woot! #10queriesIn10tweets

#2 = science fiction romance. Interesting world and setup but not enough about the romance. No chemistry. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#1 = YA fantasy. Plot catalysts feel generic and writing not strong enough to convince me to look past that. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

Yes, @RoanhorseBex was a query slush pile find. SOOOO excited to work together! ktliterary.com/2016/08/welcom… #10queriesIn10tweets

Note: almost all my clients came from query slush pile, so don't give up! It's crazy but it works! #queries #10queriesIn10tweets

#10 = contemporary middle grade. Interesting heroine but story feels derivative and writing not strong enough. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#9 = contemporary young adult. Writing (grammar, spelling, sentence structure) are weak. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#8 = romance. Self-published and looking for a Big 5 deal (I see this 2-5x per day). I don't rep self pub novels. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#7 = contemporary young adult. Query describes internal conflict but not any external conflict. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#6 = contemporary middle grade. Narrative voice feels too old (common mistake in MG) PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#5 = adult fantasy. Writer submitting, "for a friend." Not a deal-breaker but Don't Do This! Also, weak writing. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#4 = memoir. Sorry, I don't rep memoir. PASS (this wrong-genre mistake doesn't happen too often anymore) #10queriesIn10tweets

#3 = paranormal romance. Backstory, stakes and magic system described for the hero, but nothing on heroine. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#2 = contemporary YA. Interesting issues in the plot but writing (grammar, sentence structure) is weak. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#1 = YA science fiction. Plot feels overly familiar and characters feel shallow/ not fleshed out enough. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets

#10 = contemporary romance. Describes backstory & stakes for heroine but doesn't introduce her romantic interest. PASS #10queriesIn10tweets