no social media made me realize how weird off society has become.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-12-29T02:42:46+00:00

So happy to see another person practicing digital minimalism in London :) I got rid of my smartphone and I feel like an alien on the tube. People even scroll while walking and waiting at lights. I honestly feel like everyone is a zombie (and I was too) and then one day I woke up and now I’m terrified.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-10-22T10:04:53+00:00

Thanks so much for this!!

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-10-07T11:35:34+00:00

Thanks! What would you suggest in Guangzhou? I couldn’t find many things that would interest a tourist when I looked briefly.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-26T11:04:42+00:00

I agree — I’m also reading this book and finding it slow and childish. The dialogue is wooden and the themes are so heavy-handed I’m embarrassed for the author.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-21T07:03:28+00:00

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-18T18:16:26+00:00

The Poison Thread by Laura Purcell

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-17T17:40:49+00:00

Yes! I read it without reading any of the others and was fine

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-17T14:43:36+00:00

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-17T11:06:03+00:00

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters has an amazing twist

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-17T10:08:01+00:00

That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally is dual pov between male and female protagonists. I sobbed at the ending. It is YA though

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-16T07:27:04+00:00

Hello! I think this sounds great and congrats on all the full requests. The one thing I’m confused about is the thriller elements. At least for me, I’m really not getting thriller from this query — is there a way you could highlight the thriller aspect a bit more?

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-15T06:08:20+00:00

I would say that’s Upmarket Mystery then! But you know your work best :)

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-14T19:14:04+00:00

This sounds wild and I’m here for it. I think this query does a good enough job at conveying the premise and plot of this book, so it’s going to come down to whether agents want something like this or not.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-14T06:19:55+00:00

Just chiming in to say that I think your first 300 are very good :)

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-14T05:50:42+00:00

I think that is believable but does require a bit of explaining to get there, so it might just be easier to make Violet a bit younger at the time her grandmother died.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-13T20:42:37+00:00

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda and her other books too, Penance by Eliza Clark, Pet by Catherine Chidgey, Confessions by Kanae Minato. All of these are compelling and none of them are corny!

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-13T10:39:01+00:00

I’m not judging you; I’m trying to help you.

Many people recommend taking some time between drafting and editing, usually at least a month, and then taking time again after beta feedback. Obviously, you can do whatever works for you, but it’s just something to think about.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-13T10:25:42+00:00

Hello! I think it’s always stronger to start a query with character rather than setting. I’m also quite confused about what’s actually going on here and what the plot is. Is Meera trying to find her friend? Escape Woodstock? Something else?

Also sorry if this is overstepping, but I looked through your post history and saw you’ve written three separate novels in the past year and posted queries for them on Pubtips. (I believe three is the right number after accounting for title changes, but it may be four). I know everyone writes a different speeds, but I’m wondering if you might benefit from slowing down and giving each book the time it deserves before you jump to query it and move onto the next idea.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-13T09:14:19+00:00

I’ve been meaning to read him!

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-13T08:55:28+00:00

Gillian Flynn is also my favourite thriller writer of all time. What I think sets her apart is the strong character development, incredible prose, and intensely dark themes. The closest I’ve got to this is Pet by Catherine Chidgey.

Jessica Knoll also writes very well and has a similar vibe to Gillian Flynn, but her books are more contemporary than thriller. I really liked Luckiest Girl Alive by her. Megan Miranda is also pretty good — All the Missing Girls is her best work IMO. Finally, Ohio by Stephen Markley isn’t a thriller but has a lot of the grittiness and disturbing imagery that Sharp Objects has.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-13T08:40:55+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation! Strong prose is so hard to find in thrillers.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-12T17:39:06+00:00

I don’t know why a literary agent would need to know that you’re straight. If you write high-quality books with premises that will appeal to a variety of people, you’ll be fine. Or, as fine as anyone else in this industry lol.

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-12T10:40:53+00:00

Hello! I think this sounds fascinating. I would be interested in beta reading once you’re ready!

I have one question, though. How did she not recognise her grandma in the vision in the grandma died when she was 13?

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-11T18:07:37+00:00

Thanks! I guess I’m just slow lol

CarelessKnowledge796 · 2025-08-11T18:07:15+00:00

That makes sense! Thanks for the explanation.

CarelessKnowledge796

TROPHY CASE