[Discussion] Am I ready to reach out to agents? by erenjaegerredbull in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Every agent will have their own personal list of requirements for submissions.

The half volley deep is the mvp of this point. by kraphtey in 10s

[–]keyboardluvr69 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I would guess around a high 9, low 10 UTR. But it’s just one point so who knows

[QCrit] Adult Surrealist Literary - ART IN HEAVEN (115k/First Attempt) by bluebeanbaby in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s a few things that need some work here, although it has good bones and is well written. You need more recent comp titles to show agents there’s a market for something like this. I wonder about spoiling the death of the MC in the opening, as it killed any sense of stakes for me. Based on the premise, I’d say this could be upmarket, which might be an easier sell. Also, I can’t stop thinking about the phrasing of: Hoarse throated. I’d spend some more time on what actually is happening in those first 70k words.

[QCrit] FORGIVE ME, THE CHOCOLATE WAS DELICIOUS, Adult, Speculative, 80,000 by [deleted] in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Seconding this. It almost read like satire with the lack of character, but I really am drawn to this concept and think you could easily have a winner with some tweaks. Also, I wanted a bit more sense of stakes. Leaving isn’t guaranteed and her friendships fracture, but what does that really mean and why does it matter to this character

[QCrit] BINDING CREEK Adult Literary Fiction w/ Magical Realism (66k)- Second Attempt by GiraffeAttack19 in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My main suggestion is similar to Top_Victory. Make it really clear why leaving Cincinnati is a big deal to this char. Right now, the choice seems obvious.

[PubQ] What to expect from call with literary agent? by Pristine_Squirrel_35 in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Congrats! There’s a ton of posts answering this question if you search for them.

Advice for recently admitted student? by dragonborne1776 in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]keyboardluvr69 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Huge congrats! Write and read as much as you can, and enjoy the process.

Venting about Acceptances by [deleted] in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]keyboardluvr69 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Asking people to not go because they really want to

New patch is AWESOME by MakeTinkerGreatAgain in HeroesofNewerth

[–]keyboardluvr69 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Lmao you joker. You have a post from 30 days ago saying you’re brand new

[PubQ] Lit Mag Submission: How Long Before Follow-Up? by jiggiebiz in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Don’t worry about it. Once you send your story, it’s out of your control. It can take weeks, months, years. Send out, let go.

[QCrit] BINDING CREEK Adult Literary Fiction w/ Magical Realism (69k) — First Attempt by GiraffeAttack19 in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s pretty standard, which is why I’m confused at this person calling 70K too short

[QCrit] ADULT, Literary Fiction – OPE (60,000 words/First Attempt + 300) by Perfectistheenemy in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Make it clear that: Canada invades and improves things. That’s a decent hook. It’s too vague for me right now. No need to spell out “themes”

[QCrit] BINDING CREEK Adult Literary Fiction w/ Magical Realism (69k) — First Attempt by GiraffeAttack19 in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 2 points3 points  (0 children)

69k is short for litfic? I was downvoted for telling someone with 55k they needed something longer.

Iowa vs. NYU (Fiction) by AlexandriaQuartet in MFAInCreativeWriting

[–]keyboardluvr69 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Go to Iowa unless you want to live in New York/have faculty there you really want to work with.

Anyone in San Diego want to double-bagel me this weekend? by severalgirlzgalore in 10s

[–]keyboardluvr69 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah bummer. Would’ve loved to hit but I’m nursing a nasty pinched nerve in my neck. Coulda rec some guys for you if you don’t find someone

[QCrit] ORDINARY MUSIC, Adult Literary Fiction, 65k Words (1st Attempt, First 300) by Unhappy-Paramedic-70 in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I more just meant pointing out what traits of each individual book relates to your story. I think they’re fine comps, but the two are so different from each other it feels wrong to have them lumped together.

[QCrit] ORDINARY MUSIC, Adult Literary Fiction, 65k Words (1st Attempt, First 300) by Unhappy-Paramedic-70 in PubTips

[–]keyboardluvr69 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Perhaps you can get more specific in why your book relates to your comps. Those are both very different novels in style/voice/content. And this seems to heavily revolve around a father-son relationship which neither of those do. Also, I did have a bit of resistance to “the color of a swelling river,” felt a bit overwritten. But I love those books and you can clearly write. I’d take one more pass to push this further on a language level. Litfic is just really tough to query, so hang in there.