OK, that's my #tenqueries. Glad I got a request in this latest batch - I like saying yes WAY more than I like saying no.

Hopefully these are helpful - just keep in mind that nobody in the publishing industry has any idea whatsoever what they're doing. Especially yours truly.

Q10: Pubbed with a small press that went under, rights reverted, now looking for new publisher. In general, very tough to do. Usually, when a novel is out, it's out. Sucks when this happens. I always say write something new, maybe re-release this one at a later date #tenqueries

Q9: MG with a great, unique opening. I'm already in love with one of the characters and excited to see what happens next. Will be requesting. #tenqueries

Q8: In my #MSWL I request nonfiction about under the radar people and events that should be more well-known. Sometimes, the NF/biography is a little *too* under the radar to find any real commercial success. That's the case here. Pass. #tenqueries

Q7: Horror. Prologue in italics describing an ancient evil. This type of opening has been done before many, many times, and this iteration of it doesn't quite stand out enough. Pass. #tenqueries

Q6: Passing for no good reason other than "I read this, it's perfectly good, I don't have anything negative to say about it...but I didn't get to the end of page 10 just dying to read more." Totally unfair, I know. #tenqueries

Q5: Memoir. I do very little memoir, it has to hit the perfect combination of factors for me to take it on. But a good writer, will suggest she try one of my colleagues. #tenqueries

Q4: Very well-executed letter. Author did her research, named a few of my authors, feels like we'd be a match. Opening pages started strong, but got very into the weeds with describing setting, spent more time on the car and highway than the driver. Pass. #tenqueries

Q3: Historical fiction. I'm picky about HF, as it's a difficult sell and I have to be very into the novel's time period. I'm not in this case, alas. But a good query, well written pages, just not for me. This is a very subjective business. Pass #tenqueries

Q2: MG NF. Writing style/voice and content doesn't quite add up. Subject matter skews older, writing feels geared towards much younger readers. Pass. #tenqueries

Q1: Other than 'completely not my genre,' pretty much the only thing where I'll pass based on query alone is a massive Word Count. Thriller, 165K words, twice as long as a debut should be - particularly a thriller, where pacing is vital. #tenqueries

I was on @MSWLMA's #TenQueries podcast recently & the episode is now available! We covered everything from queries to new adult to short fiction. If you're curious about how agents evaluate queries, give it a listen! manuscriptacademy.com/podcast #amquerying #WritingCommunity

Q10) Historical-SFF crossover. Writing has potential but proposed plot unfortunately not strong enough. Pass. #TenQueries

Q9) Genre indecipherable. Confusing synopsis with no clear beginning, middle and end. Pass. #TenQueries

Q8) Historical fiction. Opening not gripping enough and lacking in dialogue. Pass. #TenQueries

Q7) Historical fiction. Muddled submission and I couldn't engage with the voice or concept. Pass. #TenQueries

Q6) Described as a thriller but feels more like a sci-fi. Opening too quiet, not enough happening. Pass. #TenQueries

Q5) Contemporary women's fiction. High concept with a strong voice. Will get a second read! #TenQueries

Q4) Genre unclear. Either a sci-fi or a dystopia. Too bleak for me and not character-driven enough. Pass. #TenQueries

Q3) Thriller. A chilling opening that had me a holding my breath. A definite second read! #TenQueries