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

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ICYMI: @readbystephanie stopped by @MSWLMA's #TenQueries Podcast! Listen as she decides, in the moment, what to request, what to reject, and why.

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I spoke about my slush pile on @MSWLMA's #TenQueries Podcast! If you want to hear a little bit about what I'm looking for, check it out!
#amquerying

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Q10: YA with an interesting twist on mythology. This is a good letter. It has two main characters and does a great job of setting up the goals of one of them. Good world building. Would love a bit more on the other mc, but still intrigued. Request! #tenqueries

Q9: Pitched as both MG and YA fantasy. This one has a good aim to shed light on a group that is often overlooked, but falls short on plot, character, and a lack of awareness of industry standards. Pass #tenqueries

Q8: Adult historical fiction. This has an interesting premise, but it feels like lots of bad things happen to the characters over and over again. What do they hope for? How will they overcome these obstacles? I want active protagonists. Pass. #tenqueries

Q7: Adult thriller/mystery. I don’t rep this genre. Automatic pass. #tenqueries

Q6: MG fantasy. I have no idea what is happening in this world. Concepts are introduced without grounding me in what they mean. Pass. #tenqueries

Q5: 4K words, aimed at ages 6-14. Guys, this is not correct. Do your homework on genre length and age group categories. This letter also has a lot of self praise. Big Pass. #tenqueries

Q4: Children’s book, not sure of the age group. The letter is only a few brief lines and doesn’t set up any of the story. The idea is eh. Pass. #tenqueries.

Q3: Middle grade. Good concept, but the letter is all over the place. Need more explanations for the character’s dreams/goals, and a setup of stakes. Pass. #tenqueries

Q2: YA Fantasy. The letter is well written, but doesn’t reveal enough of the plot. What’s original here? What are the stakes? Pass. #tenqueries

Q1: PB text only. Too much text and with a half-baked story idea. Without illustrations, PBs need to be next level to make it through. Pass #tenqueries

OK, that's my #tenqueries. One request, nine passes.

I'm now getting off Twitter until January. My favorite Christmas Present to myself.

I have now responded to all queries through 8/31, not including partial/full requests. I hope to get through 9/15 before Thanksgiving.

Q10: MG sports mystery. Opens with the main character missing the free shot that would have won her team the championship. This is the MG sports mystery equivalent of opening a mystery novel with a dead woman and two detectives standing over the body. #tenqueries

Q9: Man... the number of times I get some version of "I know you said you have terrorist fatigue, but that's because you haven't met MY terrorists!"

No. Terrorists.

Please and Thank You. #tenqueries

Q8: Thriller, set inside a prison. Skeptical about originality - hope it doesn't become one guard who teams up with a badass con who is actually a good guy to take out the gang of inmates hell-bent on escaping and going on a murder spree - but will request and find out#tenqueries

Q7: Appealing to my Patriots fandom is always nice - a good way to show you've done some research and are querying me for a reason.

But in doing that research, you should also have learned that I'm beyond clueless when it comes to Picture Books. Pass.#tenqueries

Q6: Thriller. Prologue with girl getting chased through the woods by...something...then Ch. 1 is a detective fielding a phone call from a hysterical jogger who found a body. Sound familiar?

Pass. #tenqueries

Q5: Collection of essays. I've never had much luck selling essay collections. Pass. #tenqueries