Q343: SF. Meh. Pass. #500queries

Q342: This one was fine, but I didn’t feel the need to ask for more. Pass. #500queries

Q341: Dealing with blood and race is a very fraught topic, particularly in the US, and I don’t feel confident this book will deal appropriately with that. Pass. #500queries

Q340: I need something to really pop to go beyond general speculative eco-thrillers and into my inbox. Pass. #500queries

Q339: As a rule, I don’t accept queries sent by third parties. Pass. #500queries

Q338: C Rom. This one didn’t have enough distinguishing factors for me. Pass. #500queries

Q337: So this hits on a particular pet peeve of mine, but while a lot of YA is read by adults, it should always only be written with the teens in mind. Pass. #500queries

Q10: YA contemp. Word count too low, even if it were MG contemp. Good concept. Writing sample, however, showed unrealistic dialogue, quick shifts in tense and POV. Pass. #tenqueries

Q9: Opens with, "My book does not contain X, Y, or Z. You can send your automated rejection now." Pass. #tenqueries

Why are you shooting yourself in the foot automatically? Pitch the book. Show me what it IS rather than telling me what it is NOT.

Q8: YA contemp. Funny, engaging, unique job, incredibly relatable fears. Writing in sample showed that same wit and anxiety in a tightly constructed, snappy scene. Partial! #tenqueries #querywin

Q7: YA contemp. Great pitch, intriguing concept, definitely a story that should be shared. Writing in sample was all dialogue/white space, telling instead of showing. Pass. #tenqueries

Q6: F. Stellar query/premise, intense obstacles, tangible world. Comp'd a client title. Writing in the sample too vague & grand, stilted dialogue. Sad pass. #tenqueries

When writing fantasy, focus on MC's immediate scene in opening chapters, then expand out. Not world/backstory.

Q5: Defined as NA Fantasy, then at the end of the sentence YA Urban Fantasy. Continued to tell me about the story in the most vague sense, no specifics apart from a character name. Pass. #tenqueries

"Running for one's life/saving the world" is fantasy at large. Be specific.

Q4: WF. Topical, discussable, great drive and obstacles in the query. Writing in the sample showed momentum, good pacing, authentic dialogue. Partial. #tenqueries #querywin

Q3: YA HF. Good comp titles, good premise, underrep'd time period and voices. The writing in the sample full of cliches, stilted dialogue, and opened in the wrong place for the story. Pass. #tenqueries

Q2: F. Arthurian retelling, using the same names & plot. Pass. #tenqueries

I like the legend of King Arthur & I like novels inspired by it. But that's the key word: inspired. Your plot have twists from the original. Consider changing names & settings too. Make it stand out.

Q1: "General fiction." A whole query in questions. I've no idea what this is about. Pass. #tenqueries

Please refrain from opening queries with philosophical questions, "what would you," etc. #querytip

Q336: The MC was missing in this one! Pass. #500queries

Q335: Because of a bevy of YA stuff a few years ago, I’m very burnt out on Greek gods. Pass. #500queries

Q334: Perfectly fine F pitch, but not right for me. Pass. #500queries