The Shit No One Tells You About Writing The Craft of Specificity: Why Vague Kills Queries
12 snips
May 7, 2026 Two standout queries are dissected, one with polished YA sparkle and one with literary voice that confuses. They dig into tone signalling, showing vs telling, and whether stakes feel internal or external. Sneaky prologues, unclear inciting incidents, and how query letters must crystalize plot and tone are highlighted.
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Openings Must Hook Immediately
- Agents and editors will not keep reading to see if your manuscript improves later, so your opening pages must grab them immediately.
- CeCe Lyra compares expecting readers to keep going to wanting cookies to have kale's nutrition, stressing harsh industry realities.
Pitch External Stakes First
- Focus your query on external stakes and clear plot hooks rather than internal feelings to sell the story quickly.
- Carly and CeCe both urge making stakes concrete in the pitch so agents can explain why the book stands out.
State Your Sparkle Up Front
- If your manuscript has a unique hook or 'sparkle,' put that in the query so agents can sell it among similar books.
- Carly suggested explicitly naming what makes this missing-girl story unlike others rather than relying on craft alone.
