@sandraproudman.bsky.social
YA Author
www.writesandrawrite.com
Salvación (Out 5/20/25)
Preorder:
https://read.macmillan.com/lp/salvacion-9781250895080/
Relit (Out Now!)
The House Where Death Lives (Out Now!)
Literary Associate at Gallt & Zacker
www.readsandraread.com
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialThere is likely a bit you could trim! This is when I suggest looking for filler words!
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialYes!!!
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialI don’t think you need to talk about both sides. But unfortunately, I do think it’s still hard to be critical of Israel. Just heard a panel where a bookstore was heavily harassed for platforming muslim voices. Just being aware zionists are very vocal, loud and often angry is important.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialA lot of folks are looking for horror, mystery, thrillers.
I’m still gravitating toward really strong contemporary stories.
I also think survival stories are minimal and could do really well.
For fantasy really unique magic systems.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialNot impossible but I do think the market is still skewing YA to older audiences more than younger.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialI think for a lot of folks it would be unless the sample pages were incredible.
There are editors in sci-fi fantasy that don’t look at manuscripts over 120,000 words now.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialContract word counts are much shorter this year. I always like yo say 85k is a great place to be.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialThemes and diction tend to be big factors. If you’re thinking your story if made into a movie would be rated R then it’s probably for the adult market.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialIMO 45-58k might be a good place to start!
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialAbsolutely! I have several clients that aren’t based in the US!
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialYou can see the query record on QueryManager. Sometimes I check but I usually only do so after I’m interested in learning more to see if someone else at my agency has the manuscript.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialI always recommend focusing on the character arc in your pitch and query, covering your character’s turning points that take them from who they were at the beginning to who they’ve become by the end.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialI usually recommend at the end of Chapter 3 or sooner for the adult space. Even sooner for KidLit. But these do vary! The biggest thing is to ground the reader first in a typical life or day of your character before their life changes.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialI actually love when authors write diversely! It helps to also diversify your income stream as an author. So if you’re looking to write full-time one day this is a great way to get there.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialI think that early reader programs like the I Can Read! series are still doing well and are there and have diverse creatives. I would love to see more focused on diverse authors and illustrators for sure. A lot of these are IPs though so created in-house because of the selling points.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialAs long as you mention it in you query and that agent doesn’t mention they’re not open to seeing the same story again. I would just be sure to mention it in your query!
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialGreat question! I always recommend only having one to three scenes per chapter. If you are changing settings more times that’s a sign to cut or merge. And of course every scene should contribute to the story arc. If not enough is happening/your character hasn’t changed you can likely remove.
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialI’ll echo this!!!
@sandraproudman.bsky.socialGreat question!! It’s hard to predict but I do think folks are still eager for my thrillers and mystery projects across age groups!
@sandraproudman.bsky.social3 hours left to bid!!!! Still have over 200 items with no bids! 32auctions.com/WeThePeopleSummerFundraiser
