Alec Shane
@alecdshane
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Writers House, LLC. Wannabe Patriots sportswriter. ashane@writershouse.com
100 MSWL
1 AskAgent
346 Queries
122 Tips

Q4: This query represents what it hands down the most common reason I pass on a submission: it's good.

Writing is fine.

Nothing structurally wrong.

Not a bad concept.

Just didn't blow me away. #tenqueries

Alec Shane
@alecdshane
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Writers House, LLC. Wannabe Patriots sportswriter. ashane@writershouse.com
100 MSWL
1 AskAgent
346 Queries
122 Tips

Q3: Doomed from the opening line! Used the wrong version of lose/loose AND breathe/breath in the same sentence. A pet peeve double whammy - and since it's the first line, doesn't speak well to attention to detail. #tenqueries

Alec Shane
@alecdshane
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Writers House, LLC. Wannabe Patriots sportswriter. ashane@writershouse.com
100 MSWL
1 AskAgent
346 Queries
122 Tips

Q2: Proposal for 20K word NF about an obscure battle of WWI. Interesting, but would be a very tough sell, especially given how short it aims to be. Pass. #tenqueries

Alec Shane
@alecdshane
Literary Agent
Literary Agent at Writers House, LLC. Wannabe Patriots sportswriter. ashane@writershouse.com
100 MSWL
1 AskAgent
346 Queries
122 Tips

Q1. Horror, already published with small press, but rights can be reverted at any time and "I think there's a real market for it." With very few exceptions, once a book is published, it's extremely tough to get it re-published elsewhere. Pass. #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q10: MG fantasy. Hits a lot of my buttons. Sounds very funny/heartwrenching. Cool (never before seen) magic system, lots of adventure + friendship. And sports! Request! #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q9: Historical fiction. This covers a time period that's been done to death and doesn't have a new angle. Pass. #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q8: Chapter book. #ownvoices. I think it's a very important topic and this feels accessible to young readers. Request! #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q7: The letter is very vague (only 1 paragraph). No stakes, goals or motives defined. The topic is also not terribly exciting or fresh. Pass #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q6: YA urban fantasy featuring demons. Paranormal is hard for me and demons/devils are, for the most part a no-go. Pass. #tenqueries.

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q5: YA fantasy. Plot description feels as if I've been dropped in the middle of the story. I'm not grounded in the world. Pass. #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q4: Adult sci-fi. Imaginative, but far too complicated/confusing. Pass. #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q3: Adult sci-fi. This is not a new concept and the plot is really bloated. Pass. #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q2: YA fantasy. This is a close one as it sets up a cool world and a good quest, but I'm finding parts confusing. Pass. #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q1:YA fantasy. Good comps, but not enough plot info. What are the stakes? Pass. #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

It's a quiet, gloomy afternoon and the perfect time for a #tenqueries! I've now reviewed all queries through 10/1 with 29 marked for further review.

Eric Smith
@ericsmithrocks
Literary Agent
Literary Agent (@PSLiterary), Author. Latest, YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY (@InkyardPress) and JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE NOVEL (@abramskids). Loves @BeautyBritches .
175 MSWL
63 AskAgent
4 Queries
8 Tips

It’s time to go through my inbox and do a #tenqueries!

Queries 1 - 10: Pitching a book you’ve put your whole heart into is a brave act, and I’m proud of you.

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q10: YA Rom Com. I'm on the fence because the premise feels familiar. But the author has some credits and other good ideas. Reluctant request. #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q9: Another #DvPit YA fantasy. OMG, you guys! This one is so good! Cool magic, clear stakes, good comps and based on a little explored myth. Request!!! #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q8: #DvPit YA fantasy. Begins w/rhetorical questions, which is unnecessary. Still, this plot sounds really original w/a cool magic system and good comps. Request! #tenqueries

Samantha Wekstein
@SWekstein
Literary Agent
Literary Agent @TL_Agency . She/Her, Terp🐢, ENFJ, dog lover. Illustrators: wekstein-illustrators.weebly.com. Pitch to QueryManager.com/SamanthaWekste…
140 MSWL
124 Queries
88 Tips

Q7: PB text. I currently am only accepting subs w/illustrations. There is also too much description. In PBs, the illustrations would take the place of all this description. Pass. #tenqueries