Dear, dear agents,
After receiving multiple form rejections that kindly include links to resources like Jane Friedman, QueryShark, MSWL, and QueryTracker… I need to vent a little. (thread 👇)
#querying #writing #writingcommunity #literaryagent
After receiving multiple form rejections that kindly include links to resources like Jane Friedman, QueryShark, MSWL, and QueryTracker… I need to vent a little. (thread 👇)
#querying #writing #writingcommunity #literaryagent
November 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Dear, dear agents,
After receiving multiple form rejections that kindly include links to resources like Jane Friedman, QueryShark, MSWL, and QueryTracker… I need to vent a little. (thread 👇)
#querying #writing #writingcommunity #literaryagent
After receiving multiple form rejections that kindly include links to resources like Jane Friedman, QueryShark, MSWL, and QueryTracker… I need to vent a little. (thread 👇)
#querying #writing #writingcommunity #literaryagent
What makes an otherwise normal human being into a writer? These and other questions from today's vantage point.
open.substack.com/pub/andrewka...
#creativewriting
#historicalnovelsociety
#mysterywritersofamerica
#publication
#QueryShark
#thenextchapter
#writing
open.substack.com/pub/andrewka...
#creativewriting
#historicalnovelsociety
#mysterywritersofamerica
#publication
#QueryShark
#thenextchapter
#writing
THE NEXT CHAPTER – The Way So Far
Observations from a wide spot in the road of life.
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM
What makes an otherwise normal human being into a writer? These and other questions from today's vantage point.
open.substack.com/pub/andrewka...
#creativewriting
#historicalnovelsociety
#mysterywritersofamerica
#publication
#QueryShark
#thenextchapter
#writing
open.substack.com/pub/andrewka...
#creativewriting
#historicalnovelsociety
#mysterywritersofamerica
#publication
#QueryShark
#thenextchapter
#writing
Reflections on the unaccustomed feelings of acceptance.
open.substack.com/pub/andrewka...
#QueryShark
#janecleland
#historicalnovelsociety
#mysterywritersofamerica
#publication
#querying
open.substack.com/pub/andrewka...
#QueryShark
#janecleland
#historicalnovelsociety
#mysterywritersofamerica
#publication
#querying
THE NEXT CHAPTER – Next Step
You never know where you're going till you get there.
open.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Reflections on the unaccustomed feelings of acceptance.
open.substack.com/pub/andrewka...
#QueryShark
#janecleland
#historicalnovelsociety
#mysterywritersofamerica
#publication
#querying
open.substack.com/pub/andrewka...
#QueryShark
#janecleland
#historicalnovelsociety
#mysterywritersofamerica
#publication
#querying
and I don't think I ever even read Miss Snark until AFTER I'd already found QueryShark and her just Janet Reid blog
June 24, 2025 at 7:17 PM
and I don't think I ever even read Miss Snark until AFTER I'd already found QueryShark and her just Janet Reid blog
It’s so strange! I was reading in the queryshark archive yesterday someone saying they’d read a dozen titles in their genre and was sure what they had was totally unique and defied categorization. To write in a genre one ought to read HUNDREDS of titles both inside and outside your chosen genre
June 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
It’s so strange! I was reading in the queryshark archive yesterday someone saying they’d read a dozen titles in their genre and was sure what they had was totally unique and defied categorization. To write in a genre one ought to read HUNDREDS of titles both inside and outside your chosen genre
Your profile says you're a Youtube guy! I suggest checking out @alyssamatesic.bsky.social 's videos on querying. From there, read QueryShark (over&over) and looking in the Acknowledgments sections of the books to find agents that might click with your writing.
May 24, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Your profile says you're a Youtube guy! I suggest checking out @alyssamatesic.bsky.social 's videos on querying. From there, read QueryShark (over&over) and looking in the Acknowledgments sections of the books to find agents that might click with your writing.
Read queryshark (all posts. 2x). @keslupo.bsky.social has a fantastic substack on synopses. If you haven’t already, betas/CPs to ensure you’re putting your best work out there. Then a dash of delusion to take the leap! Happy to chat more agent stuff as I’m putting my horror list together too!
May 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Read queryshark (all posts. 2x). @keslupo.bsky.social has a fantastic substack on synopses. If you haven’t already, betas/CPs to ensure you’re putting your best work out there. Then a dash of delusion to take the leap! Happy to chat more agent stuff as I’m putting my horror list together too!
I'm pretty sure it's a bit, just because of that. This person would seriously risk their job if it weren't.
At least things like QueryShark back in the day were done with the writers explicit consent, and with an eye to helping them, you know?
At least things like QueryShark back in the day were done with the writers explicit consent, and with an eye to helping them, you know?
April 23, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I'm pretty sure it's a bit, just because of that. This person would seriously risk their job if it weren't.
At least things like QueryShark back in the day were done with the writers explicit consent, and with an eye to helping them, you know?
At least things like QueryShark back in the day were done with the writers explicit consent, and with an eye to helping them, you know?
This is like that queryshark person but with all of the nuance and good intentiond stripped out and replaced with desire for clicks
April 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This is like that queryshark person but with all of the nuance and good intentiond stripped out and replaced with desire for clicks
March 16, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Not to be parasocial but when I remember Janet Reid is dead and therefore will never read a book of mine, I get a little emotional. #amwriting #creativewriting #queryshark
January 27, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Not to be parasocial but when I remember Janet Reid is dead and therefore will never read a book of mine, I get a little emotional. #amwriting #creativewriting #queryshark
I don’t know if you know about QueryShark—used to be run by the late great Janet Reid. I recommend anyone ever read her work. Everything I learned about writing in the beginning I learned from QueryShark.
January 27, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I don’t know if you know about QueryShark—used to be run by the late great Janet Reid. I recommend anyone ever read her work. Everything I learned about writing in the beginning I learned from QueryShark.
Read every post on QueryShark!
January 11, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Read every post on QueryShark!
i need to scrape together some money to resubscribe to queryshark or w/e it was called bc i have no idea how long i'll be searching and that website did help keep it all organized
November 22, 2024 at 5:47 AM
i need to scrape together some money to resubscribe to queryshark or w/e it was called bc i have no idea how long i'll be searching and that website did help keep it all organized
Have you dug around in r/pubtips yet? Or queryshark, that's a fun one. One of my side hobbies is reading query letter critiques; I've never heard of anyone saying there's a bigger limit for SFF, but I've seen people talking about how limits vary based on what the agent asks for in querymanager.
November 11, 2024 at 6:09 PM
Have you dug around in r/pubtips yet? Or queryshark, that's a fun one. One of my side hobbies is reading query letter critiques; I've never heard of anyone saying there's a bigger limit for SFF, but I've seen people talking about how limits vary based on what the agent asks for in querymanager.
Oh my god. She was extraordinarily helpful to me when I was just getting started and I remained a follower of both her blog and queryshark up until a few years ago. I'm terribly sad about this.
June 7, 2024 at 2:32 PM
Oh my god. She was extraordinarily helpful to me when I was just getting started and I remained a follower of both her blog and queryshark up until a few years ago. I'm terribly sad about this.
#QueryShark was one of my favourites. I learned from and enjoyed her advice for many years. This is a sad day.
April 29, 2024 at 4:54 PM
#QueryShark was one of my favourites. I learned from and enjoyed her advice for many years. This is a sad day.
I just found out that Janet Reid passed away. Her QueryShark blog was so smart and helpful. I'm sad she's gone.
lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2024/04/obit...
lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2024/04/obit...
Obituary: Janet Reid - Publishers Lunch
Longtime literary agent and generous creator of Query Shark, Janet Reid died on Sunday, after a brief illness, reportedly passing “swiftly and at peace, with loved ones seeing her through.” Her client...
lunch.publishersmarketplace.com
April 25, 2024 at 9:13 PM
I just found out that Janet Reid passed away. Her QueryShark blog was so smart and helpful. I'm sad she's gone.
lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2024/04/obit...
lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2024/04/obit...
A beautiful tribute to friend & mentor of all writers, publishing folks, & everyone who loved the work of bookmaking, the ferociously good #queryshark, Janet Reid. Writers & fellow publishing folks, please share & contribute. Janet: we already miss you so. 🤍 www.gofundme.com/f/janet-reid
Remembering and honoring Janet Reid, organized by Holly Root
Literary agent Janet Reid died Sunday, April 14, 2024. Through her online presences as … Holly Root needs your support for Remembering and honoring Janet Reid
www.gofundme.com
April 25, 2024 at 8:07 PM
A beautiful tribute to friend & mentor of all writers, publishing folks, & everyone who loved the work of bookmaking, the ferociously good #queryshark, Janet Reid. Writers & fellow publishing folks, please share & contribute. Janet: we already miss you so. 🤍 www.gofundme.com/f/janet-reid
oh no! thank you for letting all of us know!
My first 2 queried books, I literally reread everyone one of the 300 queryshark posts to make sure I was making none of those mistakes!
May she rest in eternal sharkness!
My first 2 queried books, I literally reread everyone one of the 300 queryshark posts to make sure I was making none of those mistakes!
May she rest in eternal sharkness!
April 19, 2024 at 11:38 AM
oh no! thank you for letting all of us know!
My first 2 queried books, I literally reread everyone one of the 300 queryshark posts to make sure I was making none of those mistakes!
May she rest in eternal sharkness!
My first 2 queried books, I literally reread everyone one of the 300 queryshark posts to make sure I was making none of those mistakes!
May she rest in eternal sharkness!
Agreed. We never met but I considered her a friend. And friend to authors. I hope her QueryShark blog stays up-- there's a lot authors can learn about querying (and writing) there. RIP.
So sad to hear about the passing of Janet Reid, aka Query Shark. She was a lovely person, a quick wit, and generous to no end with her knowledge of publishing.
April 18, 2024 at 8:42 PM
Agreed. We never met but I considered her a friend. And friend to authors. I hope her QueryShark blog stays up-- there's a lot authors can learn about querying (and writing) there. RIP.
I have always thought of Janet Reid as a permanent fixture and eternally shining, kind beacon to writers and to the entire world of publishing. QueryShark was immensely valuable to me, and I still recommend it constantly. I hope she enjoyed swimming in deeper waters.
April 18, 2024 at 8:30 PM
I have always thought of Janet Reid as a permanent fixture and eternally shining, kind beacon to writers and to the entire world of publishing. QueryShark was immensely valuable to me, and I still recommend it constantly. I hope she enjoyed swimming in deeper waters.
Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Janet Reid, literary agent and delightful, fierce, and hilarious godsend to so many writers. The world has lost a gem. 😭
April 18, 2024 at 7:27 PM
Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Janet Reid, literary agent and delightful, fierce, and hilarious godsend to so many writers. The world has lost a gem. 😭
OH NO WHAT
I am STILL telling people to go to QueryShark and her blog posts! She is THE reason I got an offer of representation back in the day after six weeks of querying. I went through those archives with a magnifying glass.
What a huge loss. :(
I am STILL telling people to go to QueryShark and her blog posts! She is THE reason I got an offer of representation back in the day after six weeks of querying. I went through those archives with a magnifying glass.
What a huge loss. :(
April 18, 2024 at 3:48 PM
OH NO WHAT
I am STILL telling people to go to QueryShark and her blog posts! She is THE reason I got an offer of representation back in the day after six weeks of querying. I went through those archives with a magnifying glass.
What a huge loss. :(
I am STILL telling people to go to QueryShark and her blog posts! She is THE reason I got an offer of representation back in the day after six weeks of querying. I went through those archives with a magnifying glass.
What a huge loss. :(
I’ve seen some folks on queryshark just comping authors instead of individual books, that’s an easy way I suppose to cast a wider net?
January 6, 2024 at 3:29 PM
I’ve seen some folks on queryshark just comping authors instead of individual books, that’s an easy way I suppose to cast a wider net?