Agents don't just read for quality.
They read for urgency.
New post on how to make your query feel like a book they need to read Right! Now!--before someone else gets it first.
manuscriptacademy.com/what-makes-a-query-feel-like-a-big-book
May your friend's memory be a blessing to you. 💔
Book bans are silencing diverse creators and their stories. As of this writing, there are just nine states that have passed a Freedom to Read Bill: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.🧵
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Listen to Susan!
QueryTracker only please! Opening in April…
Hello Friends! Welcome to #MSWL Day 2026! 🎉
This is our second ever #MSWL Day on Bluesky. We’re happy you’re here!
You can, as of TODAY, search Bluesky and ManuscriptWishList.com posts at once: manuscriptwishlist.com/smart-search. All posts are verified by a human who works in publishing. ☕
The deadline to apply for Literary Agents of Change's Fellowship Program is MARCH 2!
Swipe for more info 👉️
Or head to the link in our bio for an info session and the link to apply 🥳
#fellowship #literaryagentsofchange #amediting #amwriting #publishing
Got to stick together! 🤩
SFF and disability? Gianna’s a better choice than me. 👇🏻
Adult SFF or horror? Check out Tricia instead of me!
Got horror or thriller? Check out Shelly instead of me!
Folks checking out my #MSWL Day posts!
I will re-open to queries in the spring - you can check out my timing, etc. here:
QueryTracker.net/query/Lzampe...
The graphic says "The Presentation Party: Five industry insiders. Five snappy slide decks. One night that makes publishing make sense. March 12, 8:30pm ET, livestreamed, free."
If you're enjoying #MSWL today and want to keep the energy going, our educational sister company @manuscriptacademy.bsky.social is throwing a FREE Presentation Party on March 12.
Five agents + editors, five 10-minute talks, real publishing insights. RSVP: presentation-party.manuscriptacademy.com 🥂
Only through QueryTracker - I re-open to queries in April.
Picture books are my guilty pleasure! #MSWL
MORE:
Fun & funny
Instant kid appeal 🤝 Classroom/Library potential
Lots of layers
LESS (or better, none):
Teachy or preachy
Sentimental or nostalgic
Rhyme
Books of my 💛: I WANT MY HAT BACK, SOUL FOOD SUNDAY, PLANTING STORIES... PURA BELPRÉ
I love romance! ❤️
Fake dating
Friends to lovers
Road trip romance
Bonus points for disabled characters where the disability isn't a problem to be solved; interfaith couples negotiating family traditions; settings outside beaches, big cities, tiny towns!
manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/le...
Keeping an eye out for mysteries:
Steeped in setting like S.A. Cosby or Liz Moore
Cozy comfort reads (Christie crossed with Kawashiro?)
Amateur detectives like Cash Blackbear or Kausar Khan
#MSWL
manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/le...
#MSWL Day is here!
I'm seeking more narrative nonfiction for children and adults. Think THE MONA LISA VANISHES (Day) or Candace Fleming's books for kids.
More like THE ART THIEF (Finkel) or NO HUMAN INVOLVED (Neely) for adults. Also seeking nonfiction that really brings setting to life!
This article! Her book’s on my TBR & now I want to read it even more.
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
crimereads.com/yosha-gunase...
Not a good reason! Hoping you are recovered - and still enjoying your reads! 😬🥺🤞🏻
Great news! @kathleenfoxwrites will be debuting this fall with EVIE WALTERS TAKES THE WHEEL from Lake Union Publishing!
Book clubs and readers young & old will love this story of rediscovering oneself while redefining relationships and living the van life.
Can't wait for fall! 🍁 🚌 ❤️
Oh no! Hoping you recover soon!
I thought I’d escaped 2025 at last only to get sick this weekend. Right in time for back to work… 😫
Kidlit Chat happening this Tuesday over On Threads! Please join us! #writingcommunity #kidlit #kidlitchat #wwwkidlitchat
😊 👀 📝
I have responded to all queries from November (and in 2025)! 😊
Still working my way through requested manuscripts… I’ll still have some 2025 requests on my TBR list in 2026. 👩🏻💻
Revamping my query process and MSWL in 2026 too… keep an eye out! 👀
It is so hard! The queries I receive are getting better & better each year.
Usually I'm open to queries this week, but I'm still reviewing last month's queries! 📥
Stats to date:
- 1,775 queries this year
- 80 requests (fewer than usual)
- 3 offers
- 1 client
I'll reopen in the new year, but I may change my process again. 🤔
Cover image of A PLACE CALLED GALVESTON depicting Jewish immigrants arriving at the port of Galveston in a lively, child friendly style
Happy book birthday to A PLACE CALLED GALVESTON! @andreashapirowriter Valerya Milavanova and Apples & Honey Press 🎉 🤩 🎉
This beautiful book explores the story of Jewish immigration to the Midwest through the port of Galveston, TX. So proud of it!
It’s Oct 31st, & I am sooo behind on my queries. (No treats for me! ☠️)
I planned to reopen next week, but I may push that to the 2nd week in Nov. If so, I will change my QueryManager message & add the new date.
Thank you for your patience! If you queried in October, I’ll respond soon. 🎃
