My friends, welcome to my last round of queries for the year! And (finally!) it’s for adult fiction. Themed submission periods have been a game changer for me. Submission periods have pre-set closing parameters. Each round ends on a set date, or if I received 100 queries, or if I sign 2 clients—whichever comes first.
Another important change is now I only give feedback if I request full manuscripts. Although I’ve talked about how queries are not the place to get feedback, I understand that getting a “no” without a “why” is frustrating. Please understand that when I send you a form rejection, I am doing so to respect your time. If you are looking for feedback, I highly recommend writing groups and writer conferences.
The first three rounds for kidlit were fabulous. The quality of the queries is excellent and because my guidelines are specific, I have time to consider each of the carefully. As of June 1, I have signed 1 new client, have 4 full manuscripts to read, have 14 strong queries to address. I’m very pleased.
By the end of this round, I expect I will have several brand-new clients who’ll need my attention in addition to my existing client list! So, consider this the first and last call for adult fiction queries for 2021. I promise to reopen before you even have time to miss me.
If you’re eager for more, check out round 4!
Round 4: Adult romance and Upmarket commercial adult fiction by writers of colour
Opening: Monday June 7, 2021
Closing: Saturday July 3, 2021 // when I receive 100 queries // when I sign 2 clients
Don’t send me: Graphic novels. Memoir or non-fiction. Horror or gore. Sexual abuse. Comedy that “punches down.” Regency romance. Paranormal romance. Romance with the oppressor. WWI, WWII, or Holocaust historical fiction. American slavery or civil rights historical fiction.
Do send me: Books Reese Witherspoon or Oprah should choose for their book clubs. Family sagas with a strong narrative arc. Dysfunctional families. Found families. Loving families rallying in the face of an external challenge (a la Queen Sugar). Character-driven stories of relationships growing, changing, breaking, or strengthening through the ages. Feminine friendship. Masculine friendship, vulnerability, and tenderness.
Beach and airport reads. Funny books. Dramatic books. Action-packed books. Salacious, bawdy, silly books. Books that go well with a giant bag of popcorn and an extra large slushie.
Sweet or chaste romance with no sex on the page; can be religious or secular. Queer romance at any heat level. Historical romance at any heat level. Romances that play with and subvert our favorite tropes. Cottage-core. Princess-core. Just drop Black women in the softest Instagram aesthetic you can think of and call it a book.
Historical fiction with a captivating hook. Historical fiction centered on a pivotal historical artifact or event. Historical fiction about slavery, colonization, or rebellion in the Caribbean and South American context. The reigns of Saul, David and Solomon given the Hilary Mantel or Philippa Gregory treatment.
Submit using my query form only. I will not read queries sent by email.
For more information on how I choose clients, check out this post. And if you have questions feel free to ask me on Twitter @leonicka and on Instagram @leonicka_ .
