Now that I've re-opened to queries, I'm going to bring back my weekly #tenqueries threads to keep me honest. Before I dive in I just want to make sure that it's clear that my intentions are to be helpful by giving authors some insight into what influences my thought process 1/

OK, that's my #tenqueries. Got a few hits this time, which is nice.

I have now responded to all queries through 12/31/20, not including partial/full requests.

Q10: Phew! For a minute I thought I'd break the streak and read 10 whole queries without getting a submission that was completely out of my wheelhouse.

Remember: Historical Fiction = yes.

Historical Romance = no thank you.

#tenqueries

Q9: Literary fiction. I read to the end of the 1st 10 pages, and will be requesting the full, albeit a bit warily, if that makes sense. Sometimes I can't wait to read the full, other times I see enough to want to see more with expectations tempered. This is the latter #tenqueries

Q8: I'm 100% open to fantasy in 2021 and beyond - trying hard to expand my list - but there's just something about princes, kingdoms, and warlocks that don't do it for me. But I do hope to see more fantasy this year. #tenqueries

Q7: MG as told from the ghost's perspective. I'd love to know exactly what went down over the past six months or so that triggered this influx of books told from the ghost's POV. Maybe all this being stuck inside makes you feel like you're haunting your own house? #tenqueries

Q6: MG about a game show with magical secrets. I worry it's already been done before, but apparently the novel is based on that Nickelodeon show "Legends of the Hidden Temple," which I loved as a kid. Will take a look. #tenqueries

Q5: Very well written letter, in line with my personal tastes...but the writing just didn't suck me in. This type of reaction represents the large majority of why I pass on manuscripts. No fatal flaw per se...just didn't do it for me. This is a subjective business. #tenqueries

Q4: Pandemic thriller. Been seeing a lot of these, obviously.

I personally feel like when real life is a pandemic thriller, folks aren't going to turn to a pandemic thriller for escapism. Pass. #tenqueries

Q3: I've now read this query twice and couldn't for the life of me tell you what this MS is about. The opening pages did little to solve the mystery as well.

So maybe it's a mystery novel. I guess I'll never know. Pass. #tenqueries

Q2. Memoir about fulfilling a dying relative's final wish through travel. Travel memoirs really aren't my thing, and I also feel like there are similar books out there. Pass. #tenqueries

Q1: Thriller, already self-published. With very (very, very) few exceptions, there really isn't much I can do with a self-pubbed book. It's better to just query with the next novel. Pass. #tenqueries

P10 YA A:

Amazing MC personality from the get go! Can already tell she's going to be unique! A bit of clarification is needed concerning the quest of this character but nothing a few added sentences won't fix.

#10Queries #RevPit

Q10 YA A:

Great tone and it conveys the stakes/plot really well w/o giving too much away! Only suggestion is to add a bit about the why behind everything.

#10Queries #RevPit

P9 MG F:

Great job of starting to explain and introduce the reader to this world and your characters right off the bat! I was immediately drawn in. Only one suggestion: describe your setting a bit more!

#10Queries #RevPit

Q9 MG F:

This is really good! Great balance with not revealing too much in regards to stakes and plot. You gave just enough to keep me reading! Go get that agent!

#10Queries #RevPit

P8 MG DF:

Writing was great & I got a really good sense of your character! You provided just enough information to keep me wanting more! Tho was a bit confused & disoriented with this opening so I’d suggest starting off with a later scene.

#10Queries #RevPit

Q8 MG DF:

Great job of infusing the MC’s tone and keeping the query to the basics! However, I do think you could allude more about your world to better help your reader understand what exactly their going into.

#10Queries #RevPit

P7 A C:

A bit slow on the uptake so I definitely suggest reworking the opening to speed things up. In this case, it may be better to start off with the drama/stakes. But other than that this was really good!

#10Queries #RevPit

Q7 A C:

This was really good! Great job of being concise and giving us just the right amount of information to hook us! Tho, I do think you could give a little bit more information to help clarify a few threads!

#10Queries #RevPit