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M. A. Holland @maholland.bsky.social · 1d

As the resource-hungry Sovereignty expands unchecked, two sisters find themselves at odds: one a Sovereign pilot, the other a rebel mechanic. Their paths collide over besieged Iskar, where magically engineered weapons are unleashed by both sides—at devastating cost.

#SFpit #YA #NA #WIP #SFan

A banner mood board for the novel The Engines That Divide, with various elements suggesting a militaristic dieselpunk setting.

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Reposted by Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪

Rachael Clarke / R.A. Clarke @raclarkewrites.bsky.social · 1d

💥 HANNA X THE ISLAND 💥

A hacker twin, an unpredictable clone anomaly, and an imprisoned psychologist must face a lab full of malicious corporate oppressors, their origins, their inner demons, and maybe even each other in a deadly scramble for truth and freedom. #SFPit #A #SSF #HR #Q

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Gert Ramm 🦋 @rammwriter.bsky.social · 1d

An agent's guide to TIME'S SIGNATURE :

"A Mexican standoff between Slow Horses, Life on Mars and The Ipcress File."

"A perfect storm of espionage and time travel."

"The best novel of 2035!"

#agentguide #A #T #Q #litagents #amquerying #writingcommunity #writers

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · 1d

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Reposted by Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪

Sara Duran ✨is querying✨ @saraduran.bsky.social · 1d

ANNIHILATION x BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

A prisoner. A scientist.

Two exiles condemned to a lunar hellscape that holds back the darkness between stars.

In isolation, they find solace in each other— until they awaken something that should have stayed sleeping.

#SFPit #H #R #LGBT #WIP

Two astronauts float above the surface of a moon, looking up at a massive black and red eye-shaped swirl in the stars. Text at the bottom reads: “If Jack knew the deal Elias had made with the Devil, would he still insist they play house in Hell?”

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Reposted by Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪

maggie @maggiesbooks.bsky.social · 1d

In a world of potions threatening small businesses like her mom’s, and being dangerously used to cure diseases, a uni student’s use of a love potion backfires and to win back her friendship with her crush— an anti-potion witch— she must protest the govt’s legalization of potions. #SFPit #SSF #wip

The Witches of Buckhead
Soft science fiction / urban fantasy with romance

Cornelia is a freshman struggling to make friends at Briarcliff College. With her mom’s skincare business sales down after witch potions are now widely available, she might not even be able to afford tuition anymore. Then she meets Killian, a non-practicing witch and a talented writer in her fiction workshop. Cornelia develops a crush on him and asks his older sister to make her a love potion. The sister, who wants her brother to marry a witch, realizes the love potion is for Killian, so she changes the contents of the potion.
When Cornelia learns the potion was botched, she confesses to Killian what she did and he reverses the spell, but he’s no longer interested in Cornelia, due to her dishonesty. With Cornelia’s mom’s business in danger of going bankrupt, she joins her brother in anti-witch activism, only to find Killian is there to protest the unethical use of potions as a cure for diseases, which his parents are heavily involved in at the Institute for Disease Mitigation. Can Cornelia win back Killian's friendship, put an end to witchcraft threatening small businesses and end the dangerous use of potions in healthcare? Or will she have to drop out of Briarcliff, lose her friend and crush and watch the world succumb to witchcraft replacing science?

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Reposted by Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪

Catherine “Halloween meme participant” Winters @catherinewinters.com · 1d

F/NB WAYFARERS x MURDERBOT x SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN

Everything fell apart when the human came aboard. Instead of nice meals and quiet cargo runs, Tai's stuck with bickering crewmates, sinister criminals, explosions, and worse, a human who wants to be friends. #SFPit #A #Q #R #SO #OV #LGBT

Mood board/Agent's guide for my novel CARGO - a queer SF/heist/romance - 110,000 words

"Did you hear? There's a human on board."
A graphic of the wall of a spaceship with sticky notes and polaroid photos taped up. There are twinkle lights hanging from the ceiling.
alien ship's cook (fussy, anxious) + terrifying monster (ordinary human)

PITCH:
Tai’s terrified of humans. Everyone is. Violent pack hunters, humans are notorious for their strength, sharp teeth, and carnivorous appetites. But the ship’s cook is safe among the multispecies crew of the cargo hauler Coreward Baker: everyone knows the warrior species rarely leave their own space. Then Captain Raz hires Clarke, a human horticulturist.
Even after Tai overcomes their fear, they can’t stand Clarke. She’s bossy. Annoying. Useless in the galley, bad in a space suit. She might as well be cargo. Worse, she’s intent on befriending Tai—and why can’t they stop thinking about her, anyway?
That’s when things go wrong. As Tai starts to realize their feelings for Clarke, they’re horrified to learn that nobody on their crew of dropouts and runaways is quite who they seem, least of all Clarke. And it’s no coincidence. Raz reveals they’ve each been handpicked for a heist he’s spent years planning—and no one’s allowed to say no.

PRIORITIES:
make dinner
remain cozy
haul cargo
go for drinks
pull off one last score
try not to fall in love

FIRST PAGE:

“Did you hear? There’s a Human on board.”
I choked on my noodles and turned to stare at the diners at the next table. Like most of the restaurant’s patrons, the pair had hidden their profiles, a halfhearted attempt at anonymity.
“Gross,” the speaker’s crewmate said, oblivious to my alarm. “I hope it leaves soon.”
“Don’t let it hear you say that,” the first worker laughed. She made a show of looking for Humans, her eyes darting from table to table.
It. I frowned. I knew the workers’ language distinguished between people and things, and ‘it’ was an unkind choice of words at best.
The second worker shuddered. “I don’t know why we let themcome here.”
The first laughed. “Are you going to stop them?”

COMPS:
Murderbot by Martha Wells
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wisewell
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

TROPES:
Non-binary narrator masking anxiety with sarcasm
lying to themselves
non-human perspective (afraid of humans)
neurodivergent main characters
metaphorically disabled protagonist
slow-burn friends-to-lovers and enemies to lovers in the same relationship
disabilitynorm and queernorm setting
found family
loveable pet/terrifying monster

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Reposted by Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪

B. van Bodegom 📃is querying & writing @bvbodegom.bsky.social · 1d

BLACK MIRROR × SEVERANCE × THE GOOD PLACE

Having a happy death is a luxury service for the rich and Wren is the rising top salesman—until a cynical coworker and a depressed billionaire force him to rethink it all in a world where even your last smile has a price tag.

#SFPit #A #Dys #WIP

Made from non-AI free stock images.

This image is a book cover design for a novel titled "Happy Death Inc." by B. Van Bodegom. The cover is divided into three distinct horizontal sections:

1. Top Section: Features a cartoonish blue sky with white clouds and a bright sun. At the top, a tagline reads:
"How much would you pay to die with a smile?"
The word "HAPPY" appears in large, playful, hand-drawn-style font, partially overlapping the sky background.

2. Middle Section: A photograph of a deceased man in a suit, lying in a casket. He has an exaggerated smile on his face, almost unnaturally wide and clean, suggesting artificial enhancement or post-mortem alteration. Overlaid on this image is the word "DEATH" in the same large font as the previous word.

3. Bottom Section: A cartoon city skyline in pastel tones, similar in style to the top sky background. The word "INC." is overlaid prominently in the same large font. At the very bottom, in smaller capital letters, it says:
"A Novel by B VAN BODEGOM"

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Reposted by Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪

Mel Reynard @meljrey.bsky.social · 1d

JASAD HEIR/ONE DARK WINDOW
There's a reason magic was silenced. Who will bring it back? The sorceress who will tear down empires, the smuggler with split loyalties who doesn't believe it exists, or the warrior who would die to keep it secret?
#SFPit #A #Q #F

A moodboard with 9 images. Top row: a blood moon; a woman head bowed in thought, silhouette framed in fire glow; someone presents a simple black mask, there are bright orange lights behind.
Middle row is the same sunrise from the first image.
Bottom row: Amita Suman as Inej Ghafa in Shadow and Bone, bathed in a blue green light, looking over her shoulder for danger, hair awry; middle image is of a sinister dark green forest; final image is Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark, half his face cast in shadow.

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · 1d

Arcane X The Darkness Outside Us X Shadow & Bone

The heir to a starless planet plots against the pyromancy regime with help from a girl with celestial magic and a lovable alchemist.

🔥 #OwnVoices Chronic Illness Caused by Magic
✨ Friends to Lovers to 🙊

#SFPit #YA #F #Dys #Q

A collage of images: someone holding a torch in front of a brick wall, a NASA image of space featuring many stars, a burst of flame, two figures cloaked in red robes, a girl with brown hair holding fire in her hands, Jayce and Viktor from the TV Show Arcane, an image of a solar eclipse outline. A quote reads: “Here they were again, always together, always touching, but at no point had either of them put name to what this was. In Calx’ mind, everything was impermanent, transmutable into something else. He waited for the day when this became something he no longer recognized. He did reverse alchemy. He tried to hold onto the gold as tightly as possible before it slipped away.”

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · 2d

I was on the fence, but I’ll probably try to post for #SFPit tomorrow if anyone wants to swap support!

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · 10d

I told you there was demand for my gay little grim reaper book (which I’m editing again 😅)

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · 20d

I’ve failed marketing The Promise of Darkness, so let’s try again:

✨I need other ppl in this science boy fandom because I swear to god my own ship is killing me

🔥You’ll love my chronically ill FMC because she’s a soft girl who’s still going to burn the world down

#amquerying

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Reposted by Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪

Soph @soph-pl.bsky.social · 29d

Because an agent–author relationship is a partnership.
Because I’m nothing if not a team player.

#UnhingedPit #Q #A #R

Mockup of a rights catalog page, with handwritten comments (in []):
Upmarket Fiction [Good it’s generic, since mine’s romance+WF+semi-historical all rolled in one]
Mock book cover, featuring a couple embracing (freepik.com)
Only One Summer in Berlin [Are we keeping this title?]
Soph
On submission Fall 2025
Primary agent: You
TV/Film agent: TBD
Rights available: worldwide
Length: 311 pages
Material: Unedited MS

Pitched as [x] [Sthg book club, w/ depth & growth] meets [y] [Sthg spicy! But not gratuitous], a poignant [Too much?], emotionally rich, heartfelt, smart and sexy [Word salad? But it’s all there! Let’s also weave in it’s funny. And immersive.] love story about a disciplined student who falls for edgy, leafy, laid-back post-Cold War Berlin—and for her host, a single dad struggling with his future. But she can’t stay.

Largely obscuring the blurb, a Post-it reading: Dear future agent, Even if we sign today, the Frankfurt fair is still gonna be a stretch, so I thought I’d help. Maybe slip it in as a loose sheet? Needs finalizing, but it shouldn’t take you long…
Words from the blurb: ’97 Berlin isn’t [Am I selling “Berlin as a character” enough? What about the 90s angle?] / dream destination. But when poor / poli-sci degree / heads to Berlin / Larger-than / language / handball / his six-year / friendship / their att / One massa / It can only be a fling / path lies in Paris / for shared custody of / secrets that tie him to Berlin. When / them to make an impossible choice: abandon these /or each other. [Stakes high enough? Still clear it’s a HEA?]

Picture of a barn owl
Soph was born in a barn, but soon spread her wings to roam the forests at night. She now lives at the top of a tower and collects mice (well, their bones). When not hooting her next novel, she enjoys moon-gazing. She wishes she were as effortlessly cool as Hedwig but suspects she’s more of an Archimedes. [Finally a decent bio!]

Frankfurt 2025 - adult catalog

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Reposted by Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪

Jessica DeLand - Author (is getting published! 😱) @delandjessica.bsky.social · 29d

Missing: Rikma Nadia, aspiring professional ballerina

18 years old, 5'8", 110 lbs
long auburn hair, periwinkle eyes

Last seen with Wolf:
18 years old, 6'1", gray eyes, hair white with black & gray mottling, pushy & smirky

Contact Nick Slater with information

#UnhingedPit #CS #YA #F #M #R #MH

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · 29d

POV: You only applied to this school because your boyfriend went undercover to dismantle the planetary govt. Now you're both trapped and your only hope is a girl with the most volatile magic you've seen who hates you both. You'd be over-caffeinated too. #unhingedpit #q #ya #sf #f

Background image is an ornate brass frame hung over a brown leather chair. The frame reads "Promethea Cafe; The Ballad: A plain latte loaded with sugar (and a croissant because he forgot to eat today...again); The Lauryl: Herbal tea with foraged berries and herbs; The Calx: Black coffee with an extra doubleshot or two (no one knows how many he's had and everyone's concerned about his caffeine level)

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · Sep 22

I'm struggling through this WIP because my brain won't let go of the characters from my last manuscript, but if I write that sequel it's useless for the purposes of querying, so here we are!

Background image is gray with faint roses and a Victorian woman drinking tea. Text reads: September Write-A-Thon; Day: 21; Draft: 1; Words: 7400

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · Sep 17

Happy to report that I received two #PitchDis requests today!

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · Sep 16

Curious how many people in the writing community over here have tried Skylight? I think it needs some work, but I’m also ready to jump ship from….the other place if needed. #writingcommunity

Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · Sep 15

Another somewhat slow week for my September Write-A-Thon, but I still made word count progress! I keep feeling like I'm about to lose the plot (that I don't have in the first place because I'm a pantser) but then I get back on track. 😂

Background image is gray with faint roses and a Victorian woman drinking tea. Text reads: September Write-A-Thon; Day: 14; Draft: 1; Words: 6013

Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · Sep 11

I'm a little behind, but my submission is in for #PitchDis! It was really organic for me to portray my chronic illness in the character of Lauryl in The Promise of Darkness. I love how strong she remains even as the world (and her own magic) aims to destroy her. 🔥❤️

A white background covered with pink, yellow, blue, and purple, confetti which reads: #PITCHDIS 2025 Participant.

A white woman in a white shirt with dark hair holds a ball of fire, which illuminates her face and arm.

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · Sep 7

My first September Write-A-Thon update is on the light side, but I did finish the first chapter (this was my main goal) and I think I have a good start at the FMC's voice, which I expected to be harder because it's an existing character aged up and it's not my usual tense.

Background image is gray with faint roses and a Victorian woman drinking tea. Text reads: September Write-A-Thon; Day: 7; Draft: 1; Words: 3401

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · Sep 1

I'll be working on my next manuscript all month long in partnership with The Porch in Nashville. Here's where we're starting!

Background image is gray with faint roses and a Victorian woman drinking tea. Text reads: September Write-A-Thon; Day: 0; Draft: 1; Words: 1142

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · Aug 20

I haven’t decided if I’m posting for #1stLinePit because I’ll be on a plane most of that day, but I’d love to connect with everyone over on the camera app (which I use to annoy my irl friends mostly)

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Alissa is Querying ✨🔥🧪 @alissalindemann.bsky.social · Aug 16

Thank you! 🥰

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