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…

#10. Picture book. Way outside my wishlist. Pass.

#9. An 86k word adult thriller. Which again I don’t represent but the pitch sounds fantastic so I will forward to my colleague.

#8. Author references some titles the agency represent as comps. That’s awesome. But it’s an adult contemporary at over 200k words. Pass.

#7. A middle grade novel. Not currently acquiring. Most up to date wishlist is on website. Pass.

#6. This one grabs me immediately. A ya mystery with an extremely intriguing premise. Author notes fantastic comps which happen to be some of my fave authors. Word count is a little low but I am definitely going to check this one out!

#5. A YA fantasy. Definitely on my wishlist. Premise is interesting. Word count right on. Introduces me to the protagonist, her greatest desire, what’s in her way of it, and what’s at stake if she fails. Well done and I will definitely read the sample.

#4. Addressed to someone else. And again it’s adult fiction. Know who you are submitting to and what they are looking for. Pass.

#3. Another adult fiction submission. And it’s 155k words. If I was acquiring adult fiction it would be too long for me. Pass.

#2. A contemporary adult fiction. I don’t represent adult at this point. Please read targets agent’s wishlist before you submit. Pass

Ok. #tenqueries let’s go:
#1-really low word count. Author trying to be too clever by writing the query from the protagonists point of view. Says YA but feels middle grade to me. Pass.