Q8 – Adult Sci-Fi – Too many comps and WAY too many genre descriptions. beyond that, this query is an absolute screamer. I could not be more in on this. Concept is unique and relevant, stakes are high, and tons of potential for deliciously horrible decision-making by the MC. Can’t wait to read more. - ThreadSky

joelbrigham.bsky.social • 5 days ago

Q8 – Adult Sci-Fi – Too many comps and WAY too many genre descriptions. beyond that, this query is an absolute screamer. I could not be more in on this. Concept is unique and relevant, stakes are high, and tons of potential for deliciously horrible decision-making by the MC. Can’t wait to read more.

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joelbrigham.bsky.social•5 days ago

P8 – The first line had me worried, but the rest of the opening paragraph was fantastic. In fact, my editor brain hummed throughout these pages with ways to make the most of this scene. It’s good, but it needs more tension. I also think we could milk more mystery and suspense out of this.

joelbrigham.bsky.social•5 days ago

Q9 Adult Thriller – This was my favorite title out of all my submissions. Good grief. This will open up eyeballs regardless of the pitch.

And regarding the pitch, I’m no less enthusiastic. Everything is set up here to make for an action-packed and deeply suspenseful story.

joelbrigham.bsky.social•5 days ago

P9 – The first thing I noticed was that you sent more than the requested five pages. That doesn’t matter to me but will for some agents. Whatever their submission guidelines are, meet them EXACTLY, even if it cuts off in the middle of a chapter. It’s a test to see if you’ll follow directions!

joelbrigham.bsky.social•5 days ago

Q10 Adult Fantasy – My favorite bio of all my submissions. A bit long, but funny, voicey, and does a great job giving me a sense of you as an author. The query as a whole is too long, actually—a symptom of trying to explain every single plot point instead of sticking to the basics of the pitch.

joelbrigham.bsky.social•5 days ago

P10 – Another submission with more than five pages. Beyond that, though, these pages are almost exclusively backstory, context-building, and stage-setting. It’s a VERY common problem in opening pages, but focusing on the past makes it almost impossible to connect with our character in the present.

joelbrigham.bsky.social•5 days ago

Remember, all of this is meant to be helpful and educational, so I hope you found the feedback helpful! I will email those mentioned above after the contest to let you know if your sample was mentioned. (And there are DISCOUNTS in those emails, too!).

Thanks, team! These are great subs!!!

bvbodegom.bsky.social•5 days ago

Imagine your writing being called god-tier 😎

I didn't submit to you, but I like to imagine I did 😂

authorjennaredd.bsky.social•5 days ago

‘Tons of potential for deliciously horrible decision-making’ just made my entire morning. Love the way you put that! 👏🙌 #goals

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