Q3: Adult Sci-Fi: This is actually a time travel romance, and while there are things that appeal about the pitch, there's just not a market for this kind of story at the moment. Pass. #tenqueries

Q2: YA Contemporary: I can't quite grasp the conflict or stakes from the query--it mostly has me doubting the main character has any agency--and the opening pages don't grab me the way I want. Pass. #tenqueries

Q1: Contemporary Romance: While I'm looking for Latinx stories, I really want #OwnVoices & this isn't that. Especially since there is also a deportation/migrant worker storyline that I'm not sure works within the space, especially without the #OwnVoices element. Pass. #tenqueries

Q10: Adult fantasy. The letter is really short and doesn't explain much about the world or how magic works. It's important for me to understand this a least a little so I can understand the mc's challenges. The word count is also too short for the genre.  Pass. #tenqueries

Q9: YA sci-fi with a v. cool premise. I wish I had more clarity on the world. Still, I'm intrigued, and the author has a solid platform. Request! #tenqueries

Q8: Adult or middle grade sci-fi? There is too much to unpack here. It's sci-fi, but then also fantasy? The author is arrogant and brags about the reactions of their beta reads. The summary itself is clunky and the plot has too much going on. Pass. #tenqueries

Q7: Adult literary fiction. I don't rep this genre. Pass. #tenqueries

Q6: PB text only. Again I'm not really looking for text only projects. This one has an original concept, but the text doesn't leave a lot of room for imaginative illustrations. I'm not sure it has broad appeal either.  Also, starts with a rhetorical question. Pass. #tenqueries

Q5: PB text only. I am primarily looking for author/illustrator clients, so if you pitch text only, it really has to wow me. The concept here is one that's been done many, many times. Perhaps illustrations could elevate it, but I'm not willing to chance it. Pass. #tenqueries

Q4: Adult sci-fi. Two paragraphs into this letter, and I still have no idea what this book is about. It's rambling and incoherent. Concepts are described without characters.  I care about your character and what they want--that's what should be in your letter. Pass. #tenqueries

Q3: Pitched as dark adult literary fiction. I do not rep adult literary fiction. I do not enjoy adult literary fiction (though send my your literary YA!).  It is stated very clearly that I do not want this on multiple platforms. Do your research! Pass. #tenqueries

Q2: Adult historical fiction. I like the setting, but not sure I really fully understand the characters' motives or relationships. Pass. #tenqueries

Q1: Adult magical realism. The concept here is ripped from a famous book/movie. I'm intrigued by the setting, but also very confused about the world--and the comps don't help clarify. Pass. #tenqueries

Have you heard @MSWLMA's #TenQueries podcast with @readbystephanie? Get a look inside a literary agent's inbox! Listen as she decides, in the moment, what to request, what to reject, and why.

soundcloud.com/user-965795498…

Q20: A F. Ruh roh, typos in the query. Not a dealbreaker for me, TBH. Pages seem slightly young. Is this really YA masquerading as A? There seems to be a coming-of-age theme here. I like the immediacy of the voice! YA or A? A or YA? 💛 #RevPit #10Queries

Q19: MG C. The query focuses on a few too many subplots so is a bit meandering. Stick to the main points and tease in the query. Writing comes off as a bit stiff and formulaic. Vary sentence structure to add more playfulness and make those pages sing! 💔 #RevPit #10queries

Q18: A F. The query promises that this will be dark, dark, dark! But the pages feel only darkish, so something's not lining up here. Think of your query + pages as a package--you need them to match in tone and be consistent. 💔 #RevPit #10Queries

Q17: MG F. I need a little more of an introduction to the concept in the query before diving right in as I'm not 100% following the premise. The dialogue & writing is a little too formal for MG. It feels like trying to imitate CS Lewis. I want YOUR voice! 💔 #RevPit #10Queries

Q16: Comps to my favorite books so I'm immediately interested. The premise seems fairly close to the comps, but is the premise TOO close that it comes off as derivative? Morally gray hero jumps off the first pages. Fav trope alert! 💚 #RevPit #10Queries

Q15: YA H. Query is dark & atmospheric & promises the creep factor. But there's a disconnect with the pages in tone. Where's the creep factor that the query promised? Is it coming later? This starts pretty light for H, which I don't expect from the genre. 💛 #RevPit #10Queries