Q2) Thriller. The writing is decent but I'm not excited enough by the synopsis. Pass. #TenQueries

Doing a #TenQueries thread now that we're open again for submissions! This is the first:

Q1) Sci-Fi. Interesting concept but too dialogue-heavy and not enough sense of place. Pass.

12/ Okay, okay. This is a good one to stop on because it is BIZARRE. The author has no credentials, but I can honestly say it's weird AF. I'm intrigued. This one's going into the maybe pile to talk myself out of later. 😂

11/ This one is close, but just off-mark for me. It has a bit of a cult-y, creepy vibe, but I'm not sure what's super important about it. It feels like maybe we've already seen elements of this in ROOM and KIMMY SCHMIDT. I don't think I need a third take on this right now.

10/ Sci-fi with time travel, but back to the 9th century. I'm not huge on complex worldbuilding, or ancient historical, so I'm not the right person for this one. Pass.

9/ This is a really genuine PB query about the ocean, but unfortunately the quality just isn't there for the contemporary market or for agent involvement yet.

8/ This book is literally about biblical Jesus, and I'm not the right agent for that in any context. Even sci-fi.

7/ Interesting. Picture book about gender and dress-up from a BIPOC author. This one's going into my maybe pile. Not sure if the market is oversaturated on this yet.

6/ Sorry, folks, but I'm disabled - if you use the phrase "special needs" in your query, that's a quick pass from me.

5/ This one's a YA murder mystery, which I'm always very tempted by, but unfortunately the author doesn't have any prior writing experience, and the book doesn't feel like it's filling a gap or has a timely or urgent theme. Reluctant pass.

4/ Next one is for multiple books (I prefer standalone), didn't follow submission guidelines, and is really riddled with spelling and grammar errors. Pass.

3/ Author didn't include a writing sample. Submission guidelines = so important! That said, it's also non-fiction, and it's super broad subject matter with no clear, timely message. Pass from me.

2/ This author sounds great and has wonderful credentials. The book does have trans rep, which I love. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if the book would fit into either YA or adult, and it's fantasy, but not sure whether high fantasy or low, which is tough for marketing. Pass.

1/ Incomplete query. Please include all the materials the agent requests! In terms of plot, this book doesn't feel like it offers me something I haven't seen before. Pass.

OK, that's my #tenqueries. Two requests, eight passes. Not a bad haul.

I may briefly hop back on for any pitch contests that might be taking place this summer...otherwise, no Twitter for me anytime soon.

Q10: The author decided to forego the query letter altogether and just went right into Chapter 1. The quality of the writing is exactly 1 million percent more valuable than a query letter could ever be...but you should still include one with your submission. #tenqueries

Q9: Classic story retelling. There are already tons of classic story retellings out there, not sure what this one brings to to the table. Pass. #tenqueries

Q8: Writing isn't there. One of the most common reasons I pass on a submission is that the writing isn't there. #tenqueries

Q7: Military fiction. I really like MF...but unless the writing is spectacular and the story is unlike anything else I've read, it's just a really tough sell. Pass. #tenqueries

Q6: Well-written query, great comp titles, author did her research and queried me because she read it's my kind of story. Few things will separate you from the pack like proving to an agent you did your homework and are querying that specific agent for a reason. #tenqueries