Adult commercial fiction: thrillers are a favorite. Crime of all kinds. I read widely but rep narrowly. You're welcome to query me for anything. The worst you'll hear is no.
Adult non-fiction: History and biography. Narrative popular science and math. I love maps and geography too.
Projects I'd kill for: a narrative history of the second feminist wave, much like Taylor Branch's seminal work on the Civil Rights movement
Juvenile: picture books and middle grade non-fiction. History and biography but again, you're welcome to query for anything.
Bottom line: I've taken on and sold books that don't fall into any of these categories. I read the query and was interested in the book.
I'd rather hear from you than not.
I'm more concerned that you send me what I need to evaluate your work, than I am the topic area.
What I need to evaluate your work is:
a query letter and the first five pages (or so) of the manuscript in the email (not attached) for fiction
a query letter and the overview to the proposal for non-fiction (also in the email, not attached)
There are a lot of ways to shoot yourself in the foot in a query. Mostly those happen if you're not trying or you don't care. I'm not looking to reject work. Follow these guidelines to your best ability and you'll be fine.
Ms. Reid,
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that you posted this 4 1/2 years ago and yet have not received a single comment in all that time, at least not until now. I can only assume that others are too afraid to approach the infamous Shark without a cage or chainmail wetsuit. As for me, I'll cliff dive wearing nothing but Donald Duck floaties, aviator shades and a Pina Colada in each hand. I have no fear... or shame, apparently. My work has been rejected by some of the very best in the industry, but for reasons I can't explain, I have yet to submit my work to you. Which is strange, because I have been quoted on this very blog saying that "You are my dream agent and I would be your nightmare client, but you know, the good kind of nightmare." So I guess maybe it's because I have such a high level of respect for you, I cannot allow myself to submit a query until I know that it is absolutely perfect.