Jennifer March Soloway
@marchsoloway.bsky.social
Founder + Agent @StarlingLiterary | she/her | @MillsMFALit alum | horror fan (bring on the blood) | In love with all things story | ✨Revision is magical!✨
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Got #questions about #querying? Or #literaryagents?
Need advice about a #writing project? Curious about #StarlingLit?
I'd love to help!
Every Wednesday this month, I'll be here on #Bluesky at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET for an hour to answer your questions, talk craft and more.
Hope to see you!
Need advice about a #writing project? Curious about #StarlingLit?
I'd love to help!
Every Wednesday this month, I'll be here on #Bluesky at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET for an hour to answer your questions, talk craft and more.
Hope to see you!
Got #questions about #querying? Or #literaryagents?
Need advice about a #writing project? Curious about #StarlingLit?
I'd love to help!
Every Wednesday this month, I'll be here on #Bluesky at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET for an hour to answer your questions, talk craft and more.
Hope to see you!
Need advice about a #writing project? Curious about #StarlingLit?
I'd love to help!
Every Wednesday this month, I'll be here on #Bluesky at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET for an hour to answer your questions, talk craft and more.
Hope to see you!
January 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Got #questions about #querying? Or #literaryagents?
Need advice about a #writing project? Curious about #StarlingLit?
I'd love to help!
Every Wednesday this month, I'll be here on #Bluesky at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET for an hour to answer your questions, talk craft and more.
Hope to see you!
Need advice about a #writing project? Curious about #StarlingLit?
I'd love to help!
Every Wednesday this month, I'll be here on #Bluesky at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET for an hour to answer your questions, talk craft and more.
Hope to see you!
Great! I'll look for you in my box. Best of luck!
January 15, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Great! I'll look for you in my box. Best of luck!
Whoosh! What a fun hour! Thank you so much for joining me today. I hope I provided helpful advice and also encouragement. Publishing is not for the faint of heart. You are brave for embarking on this journey. Keep the faith. I'm rooting for you!
Please join me again next Wednesday! Good night!
Please join me again next Wednesday! Good night!
January 15, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Whoosh! What a fun hour! Thank you so much for joining me today. I hope I provided helpful advice and also encouragement. Publishing is not for the faint of heart. You are brave for embarking on this journey. Keep the faith. I'm rooting for you!
Please join me again next Wednesday! Good night!
Please join me again next Wednesday! Good night!
My favorite picture books are funny and full of universal coming-of-age truths and clever, fun-to-read-aloud language at the line level. When I get a PB submission, I read it aloud several times to look for all of those qualities. Hope that helps. Best of luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:59 AM
My favorite picture books are funny and full of universal coming-of-age truths and clever, fun-to-read-aloud language at the line level. When I get a PB submission, I read it aloud several times to look for all of those qualities. Hope that helps. Best of luck!
Great question. NF picture books were really popular for a while, and the market was full. Right now, it's harder to sell NF PBs (at least, it has been for me), because there are so many in the market. It's important to have a topic that hasn't been covered as much with a clever angle. Good luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:57 AM
Great question. NF picture books were really popular for a while, and the market was full. Right now, it's harder to sell NF PBs (at least, it has been for me), because there are so many in the market. It's important to have a topic that hasn't been covered as much with a clever angle. Good luck!
Yes, a dummy PDF is great. I suggest a sketch dummy with 2-3 finished pages or spreads of full-color artwork. Instead of an attachment, you can include a link to Dropbox or a website. Give me the password, and I'll take a look. Best of luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Yes, a dummy PDF is great. I suggest a sketch dummy with 2-3 finished pages or spreads of full-color artwork. Instead of an attachment, you can include a link to Dropbox or a website. Give me the password, and I'll take a look. Best of luck!
Whoosh! We have 17 minutes left. Did I miss anyone?
If you have a question, please send it my way:
@marchsoloway.bsky.social
If you have a question, please send it my way:
@marchsoloway.bsky.social
bsky.app
January 15, 2026 at 1:44 AM
Whoosh! We have 17 minutes left. Did I miss anyone?
If you have a question, please send it my way:
@marchsoloway.bsky.social
If you have a question, please send it my way:
@marchsoloway.bsky.social
Yes, please enjoy the journey. That's the best advice I can give. There will be plenty of passes, left and right, but if you love making art and have fun, it will all be worth it. Best of luck to you!
January 15, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Yes, please enjoy the journey. That's the best advice I can give. There will be plenty of passes, left and right, but if you love making art and have fun, it will all be worth it. Best of luck to you!
...mental health, relationships, culture, motherhood (I could go on and on) through a horror lens. I love horror that makes me think, horror that makes me question my beliefs, horror that helps me see the world in a new way. When it's done well, it's masterful! Please send me yours. Best of luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:41 AM
...mental health, relationships, culture, motherhood (I could go on and on) through a horror lens. I love horror that makes me think, horror that makes me question my beliefs, horror that helps me see the world in a new way. When it's done well, it's masterful! Please send me yours. Best of luck!
Ahhhhhh! I am so happy you asked the question!
I have been receiving some terrific #horror in my #querybox, and I love it. I truly cannot get enough!
I think #horror is a terrific medium to examine our world via fiction. I love it when authors explore politics, social issues, identity... 1/?
I have been receiving some terrific #horror in my #querybox, and I love it. I truly cannot get enough!
I think #horror is a terrific medium to examine our world via fiction. I love it when authors explore politics, social issues, identity... 1/?
January 15, 2026 at 1:41 AM
... and like the book enough to read it 50 times more. My very favorite picture books are the ones that have hidden jokes that I only discover on the 51st read.
Tall order, I know, but it's possible. Hope that helps. Good luck!
Tall order, I know, but it's possible. Hope that helps. Good luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:36 AM
... and like the book enough to read it 50 times more. My very favorite picture books are the ones that have hidden jokes that I only discover on the 51st read.
Tall order, I know, but it's possible. Hope that helps. Good luck!
Tall order, I know, but it's possible. Hope that helps. Good luck!
Great question! I love funny, crowd-pleasing read aloud #picturebooks with adorable, compelling characters, strong plots, and fun surprise endings that are funny, sweet or better yet both. Puns are okay, if they feel different from other puns, if that makes sense. Most of all, I want to laugh... 1/?
January 15, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Great question! I love funny, crowd-pleasing read aloud #picturebooks with adorable, compelling characters, strong plots, and fun surprise endings that are funny, sweet or better yet both. Puns are okay, if they feel different from other puns, if that makes sense. Most of all, I want to laugh... 1/?
I think you are talking about #picturebooks, right?
If I like a #PB submission, I will request 2-3 more projects.
To that end, I suggest following the agent's guidelines and request. If they want 2-3, send 2-3, but don't send 5. If they want 5, send 5. Does that make sense? Good luck!
If I like a #PB submission, I will request 2-3 more projects.
To that end, I suggest following the agent's guidelines and request. If they want 2-3, send 2-3, but don't send 5. If they want 5, send 5. Does that make sense? Good luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:32 AM
I think you are talking about #picturebooks, right?
If I like a #PB submission, I will request 2-3 more projects.
To that end, I suggest following the agent's guidelines and request. If they want 2-3, send 2-3, but don't send 5. If they want 5, send 5. Does that make sense? Good luck!
If I like a #PB submission, I will request 2-3 more projects.
To that end, I suggest following the agent's guidelines and request. If they want 2-3, send 2-3, but don't send 5. If they want 5, send 5. Does that make sense? Good luck!
...have sold a number of originals series. A CB submission contains:
(1) A pitch for the entire series
(2) A pitch for book 1
(3) The full MS for book 1
(4) Pitches for books 2-4
Hope that helps. It's tough but not impossible. Best of luck to you!
(1) A pitch for the entire series
(2) A pitch for book 1
(3) The full MS for book 1
(4) Pitches for books 2-4
Hope that helps. It's tough but not impossible. Best of luck to you!
January 15, 2026 at 1:30 AM
...have sold a number of originals series. A CB submission contains:
(1) A pitch for the entire series
(2) A pitch for book 1
(3) The full MS for book 1
(4) Pitches for books 2-4
Hope that helps. It's tough but not impossible. Best of luck to you!
(1) A pitch for the entire series
(2) A pitch for book 1
(3) The full MS for book 1
(4) Pitches for books 2-4
Hope that helps. It's tough but not impossible. Best of luck to you!
Oh, Denise, I love chapter books. My wonderful client, Joe McGee, was a master of the chapter book voice. However, I will admit the market is tough right now, so it's important to have something really fun and fresh (which I know is not helpful advice). Many CB series are done inhouse, but I... 1/?
January 15, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Oh, Denise, I love chapter books. My wonderful client, Joe McGee, was a master of the chapter book voice. However, I will admit the market is tough right now, so it's important to have something really fun and fresh (which I know is not helpful advice). Many CB series are done inhouse, but I... 1/?
Personally, I love to see a variety, because I want to know your strengths. But more importantly, I want to see the kinds of projects you wish to publish, so I could think about strategy and if I'm the right one to champion your work. Hope that helps. Best of luck to you!
January 15, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Personally, I love to see a variety, because I want to know your strengths. But more importantly, I want to see the kinds of projects you wish to publish, so I could think about strategy and if I'm the right one to champion your work. Hope that helps. Best of luck to you!
Great question! I highly recommend updating your portfolio. Depending on how fast you are, given how slow I am, you could query now and then update your portfolio as you're waiting. I think it would be helpful to have a portfolio that reflects the art you wish to produce. Best of luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Great question! I highly recommend updating your portfolio. Depending on how fast you are, given how slow I am, you could query now and then update your portfolio as you're waiting. I think it would be helpful to have a portfolio that reflects the art you wish to produce. Best of luck!
Then, I would query both and see which one get the most interest. If an agent bites, you could then talk about the other project at that time. Good luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Then, I would query both and see which one get the most interest. If an agent bites, you could then talk about the other project at that time. Good luck!
Great question! If you're an author-illustrator with a dummy, I want to see it. My goal is to see if I like your storytelling and if I have a vision that I think could deliver value to you. However, if you only want to illustrate, then send me your portfolio link. Either works. Best of luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Great question! If you're an author-illustrator with a dummy, I want to see it. My goal is to see if I like your storytelling and if I have a vision that I think could deliver value to you. However, if you only want to illustrate, then send me your portfolio link. Either works. Best of luck!
Great question. I like and appreciate illustrator notes that are crucial to the story but also leave plenty of room for the illustrator to provide their own interpretation. I also love stories that work entirely on their own without illus notes--masterful craft! In other words, I'm open. Good luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Great question. I like and appreciate illustrator notes that are crucial to the story but also leave plenty of room for the illustrator to provide their own interpretation. I also love stories that work entirely on their own without illus notes--masterful craft! In other words, I'm open. Good luck!
Great question! I would describe it as upmarket fiction, then use the pitch to explain the romance story. You can use comps (like Emily Henry) to demonstrate the audience that would gravitate to your book. Something like TITLE will appeal to Emily Henry fans who enjoy romantic [aspect of your book]
January 15, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Great question! I would describe it as upmarket fiction, then use the pitch to explain the romance story. You can use comps (like Emily Henry) to demonstrate the audience that would gravitate to your book. Something like TITLE will appeal to Emily Henry fans who enjoy romantic [aspect of your book]
However, if I said I was open to seeing a revision and didn't give you any notes, it would be nice for you to wait for me to reopen. I only close my box when I am drowning and need time to catch up. Does that make sense? Also, I don't mind when authors email me to ask. Hope that helps. Good luck!
January 15, 2026 at 1:14 AM
However, if I said I was open to seeing a revision and didn't give you any notes, it would be nice for you to wait for me to reopen. I only close my box when I am drowning and need time to catch up. Does that make sense? Also, I don't mind when authors email me to ask. Hope that helps. Good luck!
Great question! I will answer how I handle R&Rs. If I gave an R&R with detailed notes--say a full letter or had a call with you--I would want you to send it to me whenever you are ready. It wouldn't matter if I was closed or not, because I've invested time in your MS and want the revision. 1/?
January 15, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Great question! I will answer how I handle R&Rs. If I gave an R&R with detailed notes--say a full letter or had a call with you--I would want you to send it to me whenever you are ready. It wouldn't matter if I was closed or not, because I've invested time in your MS and want the revision. 1/?
Also, you might consider whether you want two different agents or one who handles everything. There are pros and cons to both options. It really depends on your needs and wants. Best of luck to you!
January 15, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Also, you might consider whether you want two different agents or one who handles everything. There are pros and cons to both options. It really depends on your needs and wants. Best of luck to you!