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

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And that's a wrap for this week. As of now all queries prior to November 1st have been answered. I've read up to November 15th, & have a handful between those dates that I need some extra time with. I have 36 pending from November & 44 pending from December. #tenqueries

Q10: YA Paranormal: The logline for this is basically the same logline as most of the YA paranormal out there. This is missing that high-concept hook. Pass. #tenqueries

Q9: YA Contemporary: The stakes for this one don't quite work for me, in that I don't believe anyone would be forced to give up a career in STEM if their parents care. Like it doesn't make sense. Pass. #tenqueries

Q8: YA Fantasy: I'm just intrigued enough by this contemporary fantasy to see where it is headed. Full Request. #tenqueries

Q7: YA Fantasy: These have all been really difficult, there's something about the voice here that doesn't feel right for YA, so I'm letting it go. Pass. #tenqueries

Q6: Fantasy: This is an epic historical fantasy and a multi-generational saga and those keywords are generally not a good fit for me. Pass. #tenqueries

Q5: Paranormal Mystery: Again this has a lot of elements I like, which makes these really tough calls. But in the end, the opening pages don't grab me in a way that makes me want to keep reading. Pass. #tenqueries

Q4: YA Contemporary: This Gatsby retelling isn't one I'm particularly drawn to, instead of redeeming Daisy, I'm like ehhh, make it gay. Pass. #tenqueries

Q3: Paranormal Romance: Again this had elements I like, but I am just having a hard time with the paranormal I already have on my list, I'm not really in a place where I can add more. Pass. #tenqueries

Q2: Romance: I enjoyed the pitch quite a bit, but couldn't settle into the opening pages to really follow what was happening. Pass. #tenqueries