Q1: YA, M

Good job! Query is set up well and we’re prepared for the world we’re about to enter. The only thing missing is the why? What is driving the character to act?

#RevPit #10Queries

Basically! It's okay to move that metadata section around. I prefer to have it right up front but others put towards the end of the query, and that's okay too. Here's an example:
reviseresub.com/annual-contest…

#RevPit #10Queries

Romantic fantasy totally works! And to be clear, most fantasy does have romance in it. #RevPit #10Queries

Romance as its own genre has specific beats that it needs to hit. Check out Romancing the Beat for the specifics. A lot of the times, a fantasy novel can have as strong romantic element but not be a "romance." #RevPit #10Queries

Opening pages are NOT formulaic but there are some solid craft conventions that make opening pages strong. This is why it's important to have strong craft so you can make the intentional decision to deviate from norms. #RevPit #10Queries (2/2)

Query letters are formulaic and you can use that to your advantage by adhering to that formula. An agent/publisher is most often skimming query letters as they receive so many so the content itself is what stands out #RevPit #10Queries (1/)

A hook is a basic 1-2 sentence pitch that communicates the stakes of your story without giving away the answers. #RevPit #10Queries

OK, that's my #tenqueries. Glad I got a request in this latest batch - I like saying yes WAY more than I like saying no.

Hopefully these are helpful - just keep in mind that nobody in the publishing industry has any idea whatsoever what they're doing. Especially yours truly.

Q10: Pubbed with a small press that went under, rights reverted, now looking for new publisher. In general, very tough to do. Usually, when a novel is out, it's out. Sucks when this happens. I always say write something new, maybe re-release this one at a later date #tenqueries

Q9: MG with a great, unique opening. I'm already in love with one of the characters and excited to see what happens next. Will be requesting. #tenqueries

Q8: In my #MSWL I request nonfiction about under the radar people and events that should be more well-known. Sometimes, the NF/biography is a little *too* under the radar to find any real commercial success. That's the case here. Pass. #tenqueries

Q7: Horror. Prologue in italics describing an ancient evil. This type of opening has been done before many, many times, and this iteration of it doesn't quite stand out enough. Pass. #tenqueries

Q6: Passing for no good reason other than "I read this, it's perfectly good, I don't have anything negative to say about it...but I didn't get to the end of page 10 just dying to read more." Totally unfair, I know. #tenqueries

Q5: Memoir. I do very little memoir, it has to hit the perfect combination of factors for me to take it on. But a good writer, will suggest she try one of my colleagues. #tenqueries

Q4: Very well-executed letter. Author did her research, named a few of my authors, feels like we'd be a match. Opening pages started strong, but got very into the weeds with describing setting, spent more time on the car and highway than the driver. Pass. #tenqueries

Q3: Historical fiction. I'm picky about HF, as it's a difficult sell and I have to be very into the novel's time period. I'm not in this case, alas. But a good query, well written pages, just not for me. This is a very subjective business. Pass #tenqueries

Q2: MG NF. Writing style/voice and content doesn't quite add up. Subject matter skews older, writing feels geared towards much younger readers. Pass. #tenqueries

Q1: Other than 'completely not my genre,' pretty much the only thing where I'll pass based on query alone is a massive Word Count. Thriller, 165K words, twice as long as a debut should be - particularly a thriller, where pacing is vital. #tenqueries

I was on @MSWLMA's #TenQueries podcast recently & the episode is now available! We covered everything from queries to new adult to short fiction. If you're curious about how agents evaluate queries, give it a listen! manuscriptacademy.com/podcast #amquerying #WritingCommunity

Q10) Historical-SFF crossover. Writing has potential but proposed plot unfortunately not strong enough. Pass. #TenQueries