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  • Writer's Digest

    FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK

    Dec 21, 2020 3 minutes
    BY BARBARA POELLE

    Dear FYSA,

    I have been querying agents for my debut and have had zero requests for the manuscript. But when my critique group read my novel, they said things like “This deserves to be published.” And “This was one of the best books I’ve read all year.” I figure something has got to be off about my query. What are some common red flags that could tank a possible request?

    Signed,
    Tanked

    Dear Tanked,

    First of all, if we can all assume that your “critique group” isn’t comprised of a

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