Let the scramble for June’s Agent Wishlist begin! This is your chance to get a query and five pages read and critiqued by Super Intern Jess Silva, Super Author Luvina Jean-Charles, and one of two spectacular agents, Ammi-Joan Paquette or Sarah LaPolla.
This contest will be open until June 29th at 10:00PM Eastern Time or when all the spots are filled. Please participate as quickly as possible, as donations to the campaign will close soon.
- Read the wishes to see if your (completed!) MS is a match!
- Claim your spot by commenting on this blog post. Please include the agent’s name and wish number in the comment. For example, comment: “Sarah LaPolla #3, please!”
- Hold tight until Jess or I reply if you’ve got the spot.
- Only once your spot is confirmed, go to http://mycharitywater.org/critsforwater2012and make one of the following donations:
——-$1 for a read only by either Luvina or Jess.
——-$5 for a critique by either Luvina or Jess.
——-$10 for a critique by BOTH Luvina and Jess. - REGARDLESS of which donation you choose, if your pages are passed onto the agent, that agent will also critique your submission.
- Wait until you get an email about how to proceed.
- Jess/Luvina will read your submission. The ones they feel best match the agent’s wishes will be forwarded to the agent for critique.
If you’re confused, feel free to ask questions in the comments. Both Jess and I will be monitoring the Wishlist to keep tabs across all timezones 
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So, without further ado, the Wishes!!
Introducing Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency!
Joan joined EMLA in spring 2009 as an associate agent and was promoted to agent in fall 2011 after working in the editorial area of educational software development. In the last few years she has placed dozens of manuscripts with editors and is especially passionate about connecting with and launching the careers of debut authors. As the “East Coast branch” of EMLA, Joan works from her home office in Massachusetts, with long-distance support from the main Flagstaff office. She represents all forms of children’s and young adult literature, but is most excited by a strong lyrical voice, tight plotting with surprising twists and turns, and stories told with heart and resonance that will stand the test of time.
An EMLA client herself, Joan is also the author of a picture book, The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies (Tanglewood, 2009), a mid-grade novel Nowhere Girl (Walker, 2011), and several other books due out in the next few years. When she is not on the phone, answering email, or writing, you will most likely find Joan curled up with a book. Or baking something delicious. Or talking about something delicious she’s baked. Really, after books and food, what else is there worth saying?
Joan’s Wishes:
- YA psychological thriller with unexpected plot twists and turns; perhaps even an unreliable narrator (Spots left: 9)
- Well-paced YA mystery in the style of Agatha Christie (Spots left: 8)
- Rich YA fantasy, with a strong female main character and plenty of action, in the style of Graceling (Spots left: 1)
And Sarah LaPolla of Curtis Brown LTD!
Sarah LaPolla began at Curtis Brown in 2008, working with Dave Barbor and Peter Ginsberg. Sarah is interested in literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, science fiction, literary horror, and young adult fiction. She loves complex characters, coming-of-age stories, and strong narrators. Sarah graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Writing and English, and went on to receive her MFA in Creative Writing from The New School.
Sarah’s Wishes:
- MG literary/coming-of-age – think Jenny Han, but younger (Spots left: 7)
- YA science fiction (less on the dystopian side and more on the space adventure side) (Spots left: 6)
- YA psychological mystery/thriller – but not paranormal/supernatural (Spots left: 9)
That’s all, guys. Aaaand GO!
Sarah LaPolla #2
You’re in! Head over to make your donation, and Jess’ll be in contact with further instructions soon!
Thanks Kat! Just completed the donation.
Sarah LaPolla #2, please!
Excellent, you’re in. Go ahead and make your donation for whatever critique option you’d like. Jess’ll email you soon!
Ammi-Joan Paquette #3 please! Thanks!
You are in
after you make a donation, I’ll be in contact.
Done and done. Thank you for bringing awareness to this great cause and for the wonderful critique opportunity!
Joan Paquette, #1 please & thank you.
In! Head over to the campaign page to make a donation
I’ll be in contact! Thanks~
Howdy Ladies!
Thank you so much for putting this on! I love that it goes to a great cause! Well done!
I would like Ammi-Joan Paquette- #3, please.
You got it
Skip on over to the campaign page and I’ll be in contact soon!
Ammi-Joan has pages from one of my mss, but her #3 fits a different one. Not sure whether I should violate the “query one ms at a time” rule. Help??
warning: PERSONAL OPINION HERE. if she has pages from another manuscript, just stick with that
but now you know she’s interested in another, and maybe you can query her with that LATER if things aren’t smooth sailing with the first? BUT THAT’S JUST ME! follow your gut 
Many thanks for the advice, I am sure you are right. I’m sorry though not to get your take on my query.
depending on the word length, you could get yourself a Kat-Crit instead
Sarah La Polla #3 – Thank you.
All yours
I’ll be in contact soon!
I have a question re: Joan’s wish. Any chance she accepts MG as well for fantasy?
She’s sold MG fantasy, so I’m going to say yes
Sarah La Polla #2 please!
In! Head over to the campaign page, and I’ll be in contact soon.
Joan Paquette #3 please
Thanks!
Sure thing
After you’ve made a donation, I’ll be in contact.
Sarah La Polla #1 please.
Yay! Find your way to the campaign page and I’ll be in contact soon!
All set! Thanks!
Joan #3 please! Thanks!!
Sure thing
Head over to the campaign page! I’ll be in contact with you soon.
all donated! Thanks again!
I’d like Joan #3. Thanks!
Got it
Make your way to the campaign page and I’ll be in contact soon!
WOW WHAT A GREAT FINAL AGENT WISTLIST! Go guys go!
thanks <3333333333333
Sarah LaPolla #1 Please …Thanks!
You’re in! Head over to the campaign page and I’ll be in contact soon
I assume this is only open for completed MS?
I also have a completed work, I would love someone to give me feedback, but I’m not prepared for querying yet.
Yes, completed work only. I think if you’re only looking for feedback, you may want to look around for a beta-reader or a critique partner
Jessica.. would a clue-based YA thriller with (very few) magical elements count as an Agatha Christie type YA… or is she specifically looking for whodunnits?
I’d say use your gut
If you think your book fits the Agatha Christie type without the whodunnit, then go for it. The worst that could happen is the same as not even trying so why not?
Suddenly I feel like the biggest fraud in the world comparing my ms to Agatha Christie.. but you’re right. In for a penny, in for a pound.. and it’s a great cause… soooo: Ammi-Joan #2 please
Got it! Visit the campaign page and I’ll get in contact with you soon
Oh – I am so Joan #3 and my manuscript is done, but not dusted! (heartfelt sigh). This amazing agent, who is passionate about début authors, is definitely going to the top of my querying wishlist once my story is sparkling.
Get to the sparkles quick!
Hi! Ammi-Joan #3, please.
Please!
You got it, lady! Head over to the campaign page and make your donation, and Jess’ll be emailing you soon. <3
Done! Thanks!
Sarah LaPolla #2, please!
You’re in! Go to the campaign page and make your chosen donation, and then Jess’ll pop you an email with further instructions.
I donated! Thanks so much.
Ammi-Joan Paquette #2 Please
Awesome! You got it. Make your donation, and Jess’ll be in touch.
Ammi-Joan Paquette #3 please!
Okay
head over to the campaign page and I’ll be in contact soon!
Ammi-Joan Paquette #3 Please
Got it! Head over to the campaign page and I’ll contact you soon.
All donated! Thank you!
Sarah LaPolla #1, please!
Perfect, you’re in. Head over to the campaign page
I’ll be contact soon!
Ammi-Joan Paquette #3
And you’re in! Find your way to the campaign page and I’ll be in touch.
Jess or Luvina- any chance Sarah would want adult fantasy?
She might, but I think this should stay within the MG/YA range
sorry!
Have the winners been published yet? I thought they would be up on July 9th? Thanks!
Amanda – I’m with you…I keep coming back to the site to check! I suspect that giving meaningful critiques on 20 queries may be taking longer than anticipated…I’ve got my fingers crossed for everyone though…and I’ll keep checking back here
I was wondering the same thing since I thought the announcement was Monday also. I’m guessing Suze’s right- it’s probably taking a while to do the critiques. I’m okay with that
SQUEEE!!! I’m out getting ice cream and now I have a better reason than “just because”.
Thank you so much for this opportunity and grats to all the other winners!
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