It was wonderful to go to one of my first in-person conferences since, you know, that thing that happened in 2020. I forgot how much I love talking with publishing people in person! How nice to sip ☕️, chat about the panels, and even be nearby when someone got great news and the whole room cheered.

We had so much fun! What a great day, and so happy to see our whole team together in person for the first time. 😃

Does anyone ever randomly think about how weird cartoons were in the 90s? I feel like a recurring trope was always a bunch of kids with magic powers having a random, normal problem. And then one of them says, "I have an idea! Let's use our powers!" And then the other kids are like "Yeah!"

A long wait does NOT mean something is wrong with your work. I don't know which books are going to be great before I read the queries. I do sometimes put something in the maybe pile, but that's a compliment. So, again--a long wait is likely a compliment, but never a critique.

The last time I opened to queries, I received an average of 49.9 per day, including weekends (I generally don't read queries on weekends, mostly because I don't want to wreck yours if I say no--and, also, I want to come with a fresh mind Monday.) You can see how this would get to YIKES busy fast.

A note on the level of chaos: First, it's gorgeous. I'm hoping I can stay psyched and not veer into panic as it gets more busy. I'm doing ridiculous things like reading manuscripts in line at CVS, trying to keep up. Wish you could come with me for a day and see how personal the wait isn't.

I did put two works in the "maybe" pile today. One was because I like the concept very much, but I worry the writing is too literary (yes, I know, that sounds like "too good"). The other is fun but so commercial, I'm not sure it's right for me. I'll see if they stick with me. If yes, request.

My heart is full, again, reading kind and patient responses to my "I'm sorry it's been so long but I wanted to give you closure" query responses. Such kindness out there in the world. Thank you.

@willmooreston.com Thanks Will! :)

About to teach my comp title class for SCBWI! Wish me luck!

Just got a "Happy September to you too, Jessica" from an agent friend and I know that she knows that I know we're both picturing just how darn exciting this month can be in the industry

If AI had a break room, I suspect all the bots would be in there around their version of the water cooler today saying, "Why do humans like fall so much?"

I love meetings with editors that bring up all kinds of interesting ideas + things I wish existed. Like book-shaped cakes, for important editor and agent milestones. That I'd love a The Hating Game with a magical element. And also, how boring the world would be if we all liked the same art.

Am I wishing everyone (in publishing) I run into today a happy September? Why yes, I am! Am I making orange food just because I can and it's the most delicious food group? Yes! Am I wondering if I, myself, can look good in orange? Yes! Have I just consumed 20+ ounces of coffee? Yes!

Someone just offered me restaurant recommendations if I ever come to town! In response to a rejection. Now, that is some kindness in a tough situation. I realize this is agent privilege, and people wouldn't be this nice to me if I were just "Jessica, here as a human," but it is very, very nice.

Gosh. Someone just said 60 percent of agents never respond. Is that true? Are we that overwhelmed?

Actually, I'm getting really beautiful glimpses into lives today. People telling me what they did while waiting. Telling me they've been at this for decades, so this is a small amount of time, percentage-wise. Saying it's good to hear anything. I love the replies.

Actually, there are a lot of really nice replies to my (delayed due simply to overwhelm, I promise, not anything you could have done) responses today. I love the good vibes. Keep them coming.

As I just said to a writer who sent a lovely response to a rejection: You aren't shouting into the void. You're writing to some really REALLY overwhelmed English majors. I promise most of us would love a quieter desk where we could give more thoughtful replies.

I know we aren't technically supposed to encourage them (and many writers apologize for them), but I LIKE nice responses to rejections. I feel terrible sending them. Knowing that you're okay (and don't hate me) is nice.

Reply to a rejection: "Your industry is completely useless, and no, I didn't wait for you, don't flatter yourself." The author, tired of waiting, self-published 9 days after submitting.

An excellent sign when I get to 47% of a manuscript in one sitting. Now the nerves begin: please stay great please stay great

In a time where support for diverse books feels like it's waning, we wanted to bring back a way to create community & support. It's amazing to see so many rallying to participate in a pitch event far marginalized voices in trad pub! Marginalized creators, join us on 10.08.25 at #DVpit! #writersky

There's a really interesting technique I'm seeing in a new, beautiful manuscript. The images are very quick and vivid and abundant without weighing down the story (hard to do!). It's holding my attention like TikTok. It's a risk, of course--it's hard to maintain that intensity. I'll read on.

Okay, this doesn't happen often, but I requested something maybe 48 hours ago and my brain keeps being like "But where is it?" Now, of course, the author has every right to take some time to get everything sorted and feel good about it. Of course. But I keep refreshing!

People do sometimes write sentences that are too nutritionally dense. There’s just too much to take in—you’re hitting every sense with excellent language but it’s way too much and I need time to breathe between images. That said, to accomplish this is brilliant. It’s really difficult to do.

I'm writing a comps class for SCBWI and I am already making a list in my phone of puns. I'm not sure why this is happening, but they keep popping into my head. I imagine half the audience will cringe and groan, and half will giggle. Like with most things in publishing, it will be subjective.

We love Anna! You may remember how merry she made the holiday party a few years ago. Can't wait to share the stage with these brilliant writers!

Look at your first scene as if it's a play. Are your characters simply standing on stage, thinking? Are they moving things around? What does it look like, visually? Is there dialogue? Visual interest, movement + change you can see make the scene feel more dynamic and alive.

There's a fine line between building tension and building confusion. Especially if you have a world different from ours, you can increase comprehension comfort w/ things we *do* understand--imagery, emotions--so it's "Well, I don't get how their sky works, but I understand ice cream and crushes."

Tomorrow! Join us for our Q&A with bestselling author Julie Soto, most recently of The Thrashers. There's no pressure to read the book--we know you're busy! The event is so you can be around that bestseller energy, learn how she did it--and, maybe, you can too. manuscriptacademy.com/julie-soto

Someone asked me if I was using AI today because I made a typo in an email. I found this puzzling. Can AI even make typos? To err is human, I suppose.

Also, in case anyone is wondering (I get asked this a lot), the way I manage to do everything by purposely choosing a ball to drop. I simply can't do everything well. What do I let go? Honestly, housework. I find it Sisyphean, anyway, and it frees up so much energy to have lower standards there.

Something I say often to writers: It's ultimately faster to go slow. It's like that saying: "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." Take your time with your edits, your query, your research. Odds are you aren't going out of style, and you'll save time in the long run.

Do you struggle with knowing if your work is commercial, literary, upmarket--or even book club? Literary agent Savannah Brooks, KT Literary, describes how you can know--by examining character, plot, emphasis, and more. 📺Tune in here! youtu.be/DQP1RhTHM4g

Hello friends! A note that I am reluctantly closing to queries again July 1. I've already several months' worth of submissions within the ~30 days I've been open. Just to make sure I don't keep everyone waiting an inordinate amount of time, I'll close then, and reopen in the early autumn.

Are you a memoir writer? You’re invited! Join us for a four-agent panel all about memoir—including a mini class, query critique, agents’ 2025 #MSWL + Q&A. June 18, 2pm ET. Get your FREE ticket here: manuscriptacademy.com/mswl-live-ag...

In case you wonder if we obsess about details, too, we do. We also cringe at typos (at least, I do), and wonder about the perfect balance of interested/busy with other important things so you respect us. The whole industry overthinks. Not every person or every time, but on average, yes, lots.

It feels like, in addition to greater quantity, the average quality of the queries in my inbox has gone up. There used to be a lot more "Take on this book or your agency will fail!" queries. Maybe they now come between when I'm open to new work, so time is a filter in itself.

This was so much fun! I loved, actually, that so many edits contradicted each other. I'm always telling writers that publishing is subjective, and they rarely believe me, or believe HOW subjective it is. It was nice to see this in action! And the writers were so talented, gracious, and kind.

This morning, after seeing a query I really, really love (we have so much in common! She mentioned like 12 things I love!) I found myself overthinking my request email. If I said too much, would I look less professional/in-demand? Probably not, but I really, REALLY want her to send, and soon!

Why does it take SO long to get an agent? We discuss the common misconception that silence from an agent means rejection--and what in the world agents are doing when NOT replying. When is it "no response no" and when is it a rejection? Tune in to find out! youtu.be/uCOjuVPNL8g?...

We've discussed a lot in the office and in meetings with editors the idea that sophisticated commercial works are often what create social change. It's so much easier to teach by fun example, and have it stick, than to give a list of facts and reasons, however honorable.

Should you pitch your work as “women’s fiction” if you’re seeking traditional publication? I interviewed literary agents including @ecniumata.bsky.social and @jsinsheim.bsky.social to explore this question for @janefriedman.com's The Bottom Line newsletter mailchi.mp/janefriedman...

I am, in fact, open to queries! And yes, I did ask the team if it'd embarrass them if I asked for vampires.

I commented in our agency meeting today that writers, when receiving rejections from me, have been amazingly kind, thoughtful, open, and growth-minded the past few weeks. It's been really nice. I don't think anyone likes the sped up conveyor belt of queries. I miss it feeling like correspondence.

I do wonder how many editors secretly agree that the "platform or bust" system is a scam.

Oh my gosh. Okay. I just got *the loveliest* response to one of my query rejections. I was talking about platform (ahhh! Can we just please get over the idea of platform as a guarantee), how I'd try a recipe, a possible route via well-placed articles--and the author is going to be okay!

The most frustrating thing for me is when I see something I absolutely love in a "platform genre" (in this case, a food book) and know it won't work (at least for me) unless the platform is larger. I couldn't help myself: I wrote the author all the reasons I love the work on an artistic level.

A request on behalf of those of us over 30: A font that is at least 12pt is very much appreciated. Thank you.