Happy Release Day!

Confession: Kristin Halbrook didn't query me. I stole her from Joanna Volpe.

Kristin was my second client. I wasn't even officially accepting queries when I read her novel, but thankfully Joanna read her novel and knew it was something I would love. (She knows me well). She pointed Kristin in my direction. I read her manuscript overnight and offered immediately (after getting my boss's approval).

I was beyond excited when Kristin signed with me. She is a beautiful writer, and I couldn't be more excited about this fabulous book. Nobody But Us made me sob more than once. It's the kind of book that will grab a hold of your heart and refuse to let go.

Query Roundup 1/25

It's 7:50 pm and my query box is down to zero!

There were 230 queries in the inbox today, and I'd already requested several manuscripts from Brenda Drake's Pitch Wars.

Yet somehow I managed to request 6 manuscripts. I'm either going to need to read faster or figure out how to pause time to give myself more hours in the day.

Anyway the requests this week line up like this:

Adult Women's Fiction
New Adult Contemporary Romance
YA (sounds really unique) *
New Adult Contemporary Romance *
MG Fantasy *
YA Historical Mystery *

*requested a query from #pitmad and really enjoyed the sample pages so requested the full

I've been seeing a lot of historicals lately--in YA, MG, and Adult. I wonder if this is a new trend?

Happy weekend!

Query Roundup 1/18

As of 3:53 pm I'm finished with my queries and the inbox is down to zero!

I had 198 queries.

I was in a good mood and requested 5 manuscripts.

Contemporary YA Romance: exactly what I was hoping for
Fantasy: with such an interesting and unique premise
Contemporary Romance: interesting twist on a a great premise
YA Horror/Mystery: I wasn't so sure by the premise, but then I read the pages and they sucked me in
YA Fantasy: Interesting premise

There were 2 projects that sounded really great but I ended up passing on them anyway.

Contemporary Middle Grade: Just couldn't get into the writing
Adult Steampunk Romance: Just couldn't get into the writing

Query Roundup 1/11

Queries were cleaned out by 6:39 pm on 1/11/2013. I answered queries in my apartment to the backdrop of someone singing opera in the building next door. It was quite relaxing.

Total queries in the inbox: 151

Manuscripts I requested: 6 manuscripts
a dark crime thriller
a historical romance
a YA fantasy
a YA mystery
a really awesome MG
adult paranormal

(Either I was really easy to please today or my queries this week were amazingly good!)

There were 3 manuscripts I hesitated to pass on but ultimately did.
a romantic comedy with a great premise
a speculative thriller with a unique and interesting premise
a new adult contemporary with a cool premise

I ultimately passed on all three of these because the writing just didn't seem ready for submission.

In terms of what I've been seeing a lot of: mind readers. In all genres and as a plot point or just a character trait. I've been seeing a lot of mind reading or psychic characters.

First Query Roundup of 2013!

Queries were cleaned out by 11:20 pm on 1/4/2013, which I know is kind of late but it was a long day.

Total queries in the inbox: 234

Manuscripts I requested: 3 manuscripts

an adult urban fantasy in the vein of Jim Butcher
a YA paranormal that sounds unique(!) and has great writing
a YA fantasy

On My 2013 Wishlist
a YA contemporary with a super swoony romance
a dark crime thriller
a mystery with series potential and a strong voice
literary middle grade with great characters
a historical romance