The QueryTo Society Papers, Volume 22

Dearest Querying Community,

Without further ado, pull up a chair and pour yourself a cup of tea. It is time for The QueryTo Society Papers, Volume 22.

Looking for literary agents open to queries? Liz Gettle of Myth Literary is accepting submissions through QueryTo! View her profile, check her wishlist, and query directly.

Whispers from the Query Trenches

Let it be known that this fateful week @riathewolfwrites introduced a most unusual creature to the query trenches: a cowboy cat whose sole responsibility is announcing “FORM REJECTIOOOOON!” across the countryside. We understand he was originally hired on a temporary basis. Unfortunately, demand for his services has been so overwhelming that he has already been offered a permanent position, a pension, and three assistants.

“Got my first rejection today, I'm part of the club now!” exclaims @bmichael_author. We are charmed by her enthusiasm. Only in the query trenches does one celebrate being told no by a stranger and immediately begin searching for another stranger to do precisely the same thing.

“She heard a steady tapping of nails into her coffin,” writes @m.karutz_writes who has discovered that the sound is actually agent rejections arriving in her inbox. We advise her not to surrender to the grave just yet. There are still twenty-three outstanding queries. We refuse to bury a debutante while she is still under consideration.

“I will not nudge. I will not refresh,” insists @dr.samchung, who is determined to remain calm while five fulls and two partials await judgment. “I am very very chill,” she assures us. Her accompanying GIF suggests otherwise. We wish her every success. But we shall revisit this admirable philosophy in approximately 84 years, or next Tuesday, whichever comes first.

Some debutantes wax poetic about the trenches. Others write haikus, compose sonnets, or pen entire essays on the indignities of querying. @mabelhallerauthor has chosen brevity. “I'm tired,” she writes. We proposed that these two words be entered into the official records as the universal motto of the query trenches. The motion passed unanimously. Naturally, the patronesses objected, insisting that the statement lacks sufficient emotional depth and a compelling hook.

On December 4th, @victoriajayneoh sent out a query. Since then, winter came. Spring arrived. Summer passed. Autumn returned. While awaiting the patroness's decision, the manuscript apparently grew tired of sitting about, won WriteHive, underwent extensive revisions, and improved its prospects considerably. At last, the patroness requested the full manuscript. When Victoria asked which version she preferred, the response was almost immediate. We are deeply concerned. Should word spread that patronesses are capable of answering emails within minutes, debutantes everywhere may begin expecting it. The entire institution could collapse.

“For my birthday on Sunday I'd love to post some vague news,” announces @juliekraetz.author. Society recalls that she previously requested a moratorium on rejections during Libra season. Evidently, the negotiations have progressed. At this rate, the patronesses will require a personal assistant merely to keep track of the dates on which they are permitted to disappoint her.

“Does the internet work today? Can someone check?” asks @romcommer2026. “It's the middle of the afternoon, and still no sight of my daily rejection.” Society has every right to be deeply concerned. The patronesses have established an impeccable record of disappointing debutantes, and we should hate to see their standards slip. Perhaps someone in quality assurance has fallen asleep.

An anonymous debutante has reported a possible haunting. A patroness appeared in her inbox, praised her manuscript, and requested a call. Naturally, the debutante responded. Twice. Several days later, the apparition has not returned. We have considered several explanations: illness, unforeseen obligations, technological catastrophe, or a sudden decision to become a ghost. We sincerely hope it is one of the first three. The fourth would be rather poor form.

Several weeks ago, @lifeofmaryreyes assured debutantes everywhere that querying was a win-win proposition. Full request? Cake! Rejection? Cake! Maybe pile? Cake! Now, @anyaclarawriter has discovered a rather unfortunate flaw in this otherwise impeccable system. The rejections are arriving considerably faster than the debutantes can afford the cakes. We regret to announce that rationing may soon become necessary.

The mere sight of QueryTracker in her inbox once sent @jsrobertswrites into a panic. She has since learned to distinguish the weekly email from a rejection by the preview text alone. Fascinating! The patronesses have apparently succeeded in conditioning debutantes to recognize disappointment on sight. Pavlov would have been most impressed.

Requests, Rumors & Other Encouraging Developments

“Maybe this is common and I'm excited over nothing,” writes @amybriesenick after receiving a request for additional chapters. Society's seasoned debutantes exchanged knowing glances and concluded that she is unfamiliar with our standards of celebration. A request for more pages is a triumph. A personalized rejection is encouraging. A form rejection is proof that the internet works. We are a remarkably easy people to please, provided one ignores the circumstances that made us so.

A toast to @victoriajayneoh, who received a full request from a “lovely agent.” It is remarkable what a single email can accomplish. Yesterday, the patronesses were mysterious gatekeepers of literary fortune. Today, one is lovely. Should an offer of representation follow, we suspect Victoria may nominate her for sainthood.

“MORE vague news?!?! Multiple?!?” announces @author_elaraprice. It seems that a new hierarchy has emerged among the debutantes. Those with no news, those with news, those with vague news, and now, those with multiple vague news. We await the inevitable emergence of the debutante with vague news about her previous vague news.

“WOOT WOOT FULL REQUEST!!!” announces @hark_a_jo. The announcement was accompanied by a display of dancing normally reserved for royal weddings and the overthrow of unpopular monarchs. We understand the excitement. A patroness has requested MORE words. In the trenches, this is practically a declaration of love.

“Getting a partial request at the end of a bad day really turned the whole thing around,” writes @bookishcarly. Ahhh, such is the extraordinary volatility of the trenches. We would recommend this treatment to every suffering debutante, but unfortunately, it requires the cooperation of a patroness, a notoriously unreliable ingredient. Several debutantes have been waiting months for their prescriptions to be filled.

The Literary Marriage Market

Liz Gettle of Myth Literary has signed her first local author, @authormaevekensington. Literary talent has traditionally required extensive correspondence, considerable patience, and occasionally a search across continents. Imagine the astonishment of discovering some practically on one's doorstep. We trust the remaining residents in her neighborhood have been thoroughly investigated.

@lexyschultzwrites is now represented by Jamie Carr at The Book Group! A wonderful match, though we have questions. Lexy belongs to The Word Witches, whose members have been securing literary representation at a rather suspicious rate. We do not wish to make accusations of witchcraft. We merely wish to know where the cauldron is kept and whether visitors are permitted.

After subjecting Kitty and Isaiah to a decade-long love affair, @authortrmoore has found herself in a considerably happier arrangement. She is now represented by Alice Sutherland-Hawes at ASH Literary! Society wonders whether her characters will celebrate this development or lodge a formal complaint about the author's apparent preference for other people's commitment issues.

An ambitious new literary alliance has been announced! Lauren Khan has welcomed @alliesambertswrites to her list at FinePrint Literary Management. Both ladies reportedly have “big goals” and are ready to tackle them together. We admire their enthusiasm, though we do hope someone has informed the publishing industry that it is about to be tackled.

“A little personal milestone,” announces @prettybookplaces, who has signed with The Meller Literary Agency. A LITTLE? Society begs her finest pardon. Some debutantes have spent 84 years in the trenches, sacrificed their sleep, and developed an unhealthy relationship with their inboxes in pursuit of precisely this achievement. We congratulate her most heartily but must insist that she reconsider her definition of little.

“Very pleased to announce that I'm now represented,” writes @wendydalrymplewrites, who has signed with Bethany Weaver of Weaver Literary Agency. The announcement arrived accompanied by enough pink glitter and hearts to decorate an entire ballroom. We trust the servants have been warned. That glitter will be in the carpets until Christmas.

A new literary alliance has been announced! @linawrites is now represented by Kylie Koews of Georgia McBride Media Group. The accompanying proclamation featured lemons, ribbons, and a most cheerful portrait. Society approves. After all, the query trenches have taught us that when life gives one lemons, a form rejection is usually attached.

Another week, another announcement involving Tali Shammas of Storm Literary Agency! This time, @authoralexismorgan has joined her list. “Someone pinch me,” Alexis declares. We would ordinarily oblige, but we are rather more concerned with locating Tali, who has become something of a recurring character in these pages. We are considering giving her a subplot.

The ink has scarcely dried on one ASH Literary announcement, and already another arrives! @solo.linnea is now represented by Paula Weiman. Society is beginning to suspect that someone at ASH Literary has been rather busy playing matchmaker. At this rate, we shall require a separate column merely to keep track of the happy couples.

The literary marriage market has produced an extraordinary union! @danaswiftbooks has secured not one but TWO agents, Kelsey Evans and Brent Taylor. Society had always understood that one sought a single suitable match. Evidently, the rules have changed. We await further clarification from the matchmaking committee.

From the QueryTo Community

A most delightful development from the QueryTo ballroom! Laura has found a beta reader through the QueryTo Beta Matchmaker! Her 72,000-word MM romance, MM Fake Dating, Cozy Vibes, has secured a real-life literary partnership. We are particularly pleased. The romance may involve fake dating, but the matchmaking, dear readers, is very much real.

And Laura is not the only debutante seeking literary companionship. Several writers are still searching for their own promising alliances.

Anna is seeking an ongoing beta reader or critique partner for Mine: Body and Spirit, a paranormal romance involving a dead fiancé, a second chance at love, and the possible destruction of the world. We'd like to point out that while Anna's characters are operating under a rather alarming deadline, prospective critique partners may arrange a more civilized schedule.

Erika Fritz seeks a critique partner or beta reader for What the Winds Brought, a 126,000-word post-apocalyptic sci-fi romance exploring survival, disability, and a neurodivergent protagonist. She welcomes an ongoing mutual exchange. We admire the ambition. Surviving the apocalypse is one thing; finding someone willing to exchange 126,000 words of feedback is another adventure entirely.

Latisha Stephens is searching for a critique partner or beta reader for an 83,000-word upmarket historical novel set in 1972. Her protagonist, Afro-Latina actress Melinda Reyes, is attempting to conquer Hollywood while confronting the doors closed to her. Society observes that Hollywood has never been particularly generous with its invitations. We sincerely hope the literary community proves more accommodating.

Elsewhere, the QueryTo Query Letter Review & First Paragraph Feedback has attracted two manuscripts seeking a little counsel before approaching the patronesses.

Rot & Ruin, a 97,000-word adult fantasy currently in the query trenches, is seeking feedback on its query letter's length. A delicate matter, indeed. Too brief, and the patronesses demand more information. Too long, and they begin searching for the nearest exit. We wish its author success in discovering the precise number of words that will satisfy everyone.

And Birchwood House, an adult gothic thriller, is seeking opinions on hook strength and originality. Its author has shared an intriguing opening involving someone waking outside a closed establishment every night. We're already suspicious. Any house that requires this much explanation before one has even crossed the threshold deserves a thorough investigation.

Finally, the QueryTo Pitch Showcase now features 47+ books waiting to be discovered. Forty-seven stories, forty-seven opportunities to stumble upon something wonderful, and perhaps forty-seven authors quietly wondering whether anyone has noticed their work. Dear debutantes, do send a little encouragement their way. A kind word costs nothing, requires no synopsis, and, most remarkably, comes without a six-month response time

Curious readers, fellow writers, and literary patronesses are invited to explore. One never knows which introduction might lead to a most fortunate literary alliance.

Invitations from the Patronesses

And have we mentioned that Liz is now open to queries on QueryTo? We may have neglected to mention it. A most unfortunate oversight on our part. The patroness is receiving submissions, debutantes. Do with this information what you will. 👀

Rena Rossner of Bradford Literary Agency has announced an open-ended invitation to querying authors. Fantasy? Welcome. Romance? Certainly. Thrillers? By all means. Nonfiction? There is room for you as well.

Jackie Garcia-Morales of Storm Literary Agency has iassued an invitation to self-published authors to send their queries. We suspect this will do considerably more for literary morale than another scented candle.

The literary marriage market is expecting a new arrival! William Marasco of Lori Perkins Agency has revealed his preferences ahead of opening to queries. Whimsy, humor, adventure, found families, and inclusive stories appear to have caught his fancy. We anticipate a considerable number of manuscripts declaring themselves to possess all five qualities, whether or not this is strictly true.

Rachel Phillips has joined Storyteller Talent Agency and opened her doors to queries. She seeks literary fiction, dark memoirs, essay collections, and, rather specifically, sad clowns. .

Hollie Michaels of Martin-Newens Literary is open to queries, and the examination is rather straightforward. Does your manuscript make her laugh? Does it make her feel? Will it compel her to lean forward? Can you describe it in one sentence? We suspect the final question has already sent several thousand authors into a state of considerable distress.

From the QueryTo Ballroom

The QueryTo ballroom has been rather busy of late. More literary agents are joining our ranks, and several have begun opening their doors to queries. Liz Gettle of Myth Literary is among the latest patronesses welcoming submissions directly through QueryTo.

For debutantes arriving with a rather extensive history of literary courtship, we have also prepared a new video tutorial showing how to import existing queries into QueryTo. There is, after all, no reason to abandon years of carefully documented rejections, requests, and unanswered correspondence simply because one has found a new ballroom.

The tutorial is available on our YouTube channel, @querytoapp, alongside our introductory guide to the platform.

Until next Saturday, I remain…

Yours in the Trenches,

Lady QueryTo