NoQS MG Contemporary: CODE STARS

Title: CODE STARS Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary Word Count: 47,000 My Main Character’s Most Stressful Relationship is: My MC’s most stressful relationship is definitely with Julia Pearl, her best friend. At least, Evie thinks Julia is still her best friend. It’s hard to know these days. Evie wishes their friendship was like before, when she […]

Choosing Contest Entries: A Host’s Perspective

As those chosen for Nightmare on Query Street are working hard on their revisions, I wanted to give some insight to the types of things I’m thinking when I read through contest entries. Keep in mind that I am NOT an agent. An agent’s ability to ask to read something is limited only by their […]

Meet Laura’s Legions!

It was a tough decision. There may have been some tears, some begging, some desperate pleas for second reads from the amazing Kara Reynolds. But at the end of the day, we whittled the original 200+ entries down to one amazing team that I can’t wait to share with you. If you were chosen, you […]

NIGHTMARE ON QUERY STREET IS HERE

The submission window opens today at 4:00 pm EST! The submission window opens at 4:00 pm (EST) on October 14th. Don’t send too soon or your entry will be deleted. There will be email confirmation. Please don’t resend an entry unless you check with us. Sometimes the confirmation process gets overwhelmed. The window will close when we […]

Meet the Nightmare on Query Street Agents!

We have 25 agents and counting joining us this year. Some are new. Some are established. All are looking to make requests. To everyone entering this year, best of luck! The Slush Pile is going to be SUPER competitive. If you need a refresher on the submission guidelines, click here. Agents of Nightmare on Query […]

Meet the (Not Scary at all) Nightmare on Query Street Mentors!

I know you’ll want to get to know the mentors who will be helping the finalists perfect their query letter and first 250 words. But first a few dates for Nightmare on Query Street: Submission Window Opens: October 14th 4:00 pm EST Final Picks are Announced: October 20th undecided time Mentors Go to Work: October 21th – 26th […]

Nightmare on Query Street Free Pass!

This year, I’m offering each of you a chance to bypass the slush and go straight into the contest where you will receive mentor feedback and be featured in the agent round. You’ll still have to wow the agents, though, so make sure your first page and query (and the entire manuscript) are as polished […]

Teresa Richards: A Query Kombat Success Story

Success stories are one of the best parts of hosting contests. Sure, the contests are fun and everyone learns, but it’s always helpful to see when that hard work pays off. I’m excited to present you with Teresa’s story. Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve signed with agent Mallory Brown from TriadaUS, as […]

Nightmare on Query Street is Back!!

We’re back with 25 agents and even more mentors! It’s Nightmare Time! Don’t have a scary manuscript, DON’T WORRY. Just read on. A brand new year, a brand new evil. This contest, as it runs in the Halloween time, is all about FEAR. The Details: The submission window opens at 4:00 pm (EST) on October 14th. […]

Meet THE REY GUNS!

The Jedi Council will soon be arriving to choose padawans for training.  Remember that contests are subjective. What one person might challenge others to a light saber duel for an entry, that same work may do nothing for someone else. There were tons of excellent entries. We had more than 350 entries to choose from, and we got […]

PITCHSLAM 1. Middle Grade Fantasy: IMANI EARNS HER CAPE

Title: Imani Earns Her Cape Genre: MG Fantasy Word Count: 32, 000. Special Question: If your main character could be any Star Wars character, who would they choose and why? Imani would cosplay as Ahsoka Tano because she’s loyal and a spunky go-getter as she finds her way through a new-to-her world. 35 Word Pitch: Twelve-year-old Imani’s Summer Vacation Checklist: earn the right to […]

PITCHSLAM 2. Middle Grade Fantasy: THE FAIRY GODMOTHER FILES

Title: THE FAIRY GODMOTHER FILES Genre: MG – Fantasy    Word Count: 42,000 If my main character could be any Star Wars character, who would it be and why?  She would be Leia, because as soon as January Frost becomes the Fairy Godmother, she is targeted by an evil force who wants her and her home destroyed – similar to Leia. […]