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literaticat.tumblr.com · Personal developer blogs · English
- Posts on record
- 32
- First published
- 12 August 2026
- Last published
- 22 September 2026
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- English
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- Personal developer blogs
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Recent posts
I’m writing a middle-grade book where all the characters are aliens and the story is from their perspective. Is there any hope for me?original ↗
22 Sept 2026
I just sent an ask about how to categorize my YA sci-fi novel. I need to clarify that it’s not set in the future as such. Or our present. Or our past. If I could share the hook with you in private, I would. That would make the story micro and macro clear. But anonymity. 👀☺️original ↗
21 Sept 2026
Hi, Jenn! Riding the YA sci-fi wave you’ve got going. My novel is YA sci-fi but not rayguns or spaceships. Outerspace is a factor, but the action all takes place on the planet. The story is a very human one, with advanced tech (no technobabble) and micro and macro stakes that affect each other inextricably. I did an incredible amount of worldbuilding and research. The novel is character-driven, queernormative, with a high stakes plot. I don’t want calling it sci-fi to bias potential agents intoriginal ↗
21 Sept 2026
In a spooky mg, do you think past or present tense works better when writing in first person - or is 3rd POV better? Thanks!original ↗
21 Sept 2026
Side question related to the previous ask about YA sci-fi: If I’m querying with a novel that takes place in the future, but there’s magic and it’s probably closer to fantasy (and there are no ray guns, no aliens), but it is also definitely not dystopian, should I call it SFF and query even the agents who say no Sci-Fi? Or does your gut tell you that those agents are probably just not interested, even if there are no rayguns or aliens? I just want to respect their guidelines and not waste eitheroriginal ↗
19 Sept 2026
Hi Jennifer,
So many YA agents say they don’t want sci-fi, and I’ve heard from editors that sci-fi doesn’t sell well unless it’s hidden behind something like dystopian (like Hunger Games or Divergent).
But when I look at lists of highest grossing movies of the 21st century (or just movies that got a lot of buzz), a really high percentage of them are sci-fi and do well with teens (Avatar, the MCU, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Project Hail Mary, some of Christopher Nolan’s movies, Dune, Transformeoriginal ↗
19 Sept 2026
Hi Jenn, can I ask how long you wait before considering an unanswered sub “dead” with an editor? How long before you will sent to another editor at the same publisher, or a new project to the editor who didn’t respond? Basically, what’s the CNR for editors? Thank you!original ↗
19 Sept 2026
I am an illustrator of 10 years working primarily in kidlit. I am with an illustration agency and I have noticed a much lower volume of work come in for me. I do all the right things- updated portfolio, social media, build connections, etc but it’s starting to seem like there isn’t enough work to go around. I know this can be attributed to many things with the economy and AI but it’s getting scary to see a job that used to pay majority of my bills now barely able to cover SOME grocery expenses.original ↗
19 Sept 2026
I’m writing an upper middle grade fantasy, and I read that the word count could be as high as 70k. But people online are saying that most agents are only looking for 60k. Maybe 65k, but thats still kind of high. I feel conflicted because I don’t think the heart of my story could be told in 60k word count.original ↗
14 Sept 2026
I had my book up on Royal Road about 3-4 years ago, but viewership was low. I have since edited the book, and it will be publishable soon. Is it acceptable to query agents with this book? If so, what is the best strategy in terms of being upfront about it having been put up online already?original ↗
13 Sept 2026
I’m writing a horror-romance, but on QueryManager, that category is not listed on the dropdowns on agent query forms. What should I click? Paranormal romance doesn’t seem right because the story isn’t between a human and a non-human. I’m writing horror-romance on the query, obviously- but the dropdowns just have me confused.original ↗
13 Sept 2026
If I were seeking an agent for an MG novel set 10,000 years ago, should I look for agents who like historical fiction—as there’s no ‘pre-historical’ fiction category! Thanks, Jennifer.original ↗
11 Sept 2026
Hi Jenn, can I ask about the process behind B&N kids’ “book of the month” selections? A recent pick had a huge publisher marketing campaign, pre-pub, but I’m sure that isn’t always the case. Can you share any insights?original ↗
9 Sept 2026
Hi there!
I’ve been with my agent for 3 years, and during that time, we’ve sent 3 books out on sub. One adult romantasy made it to acquisitions twice and to second reads at a couple of houses, but ultimately didn’t sell. My urban fantasy was DOA, but we’ve polished it and recently sent it off on a new round, this time targeting more UK editors. An adult romcom got film rep in the meantime, but hasn’t moved the needle with editors.
Ultimately, I’m wondering whether it’s my work or her abilityoriginal ↗
7 Sept 2026
Hi Jenn! I have this idea that might work as a novella. It seems like those are kind of doing better nowadays. I COULD try to stretch it into a novel, but I’m not sure, and I’m afraid it would get draggy. Should I TRY to make it a novel? Do you think novellas are still worth pursuing if I’m not, like, already super famous? (I’ve trad-pubbed before, but I’m not a megastar.) Could you answer for both kidlit and the adult markets? I know you’re more in kidlit, but you also seem tuned into adult!original ↗
7 Sept 2026
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