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Dispatches from the Slush Pile

Dispatches from the Slush Pile

An assortment of thoughts

Kate McKean
Aug 21, 2025
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Dispatches from the Slush Pile
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File:American Library Association - Campaigns - Drive for books for fighters. Photo shows a number of girls each with a pile of books wending her way into the Public Library Building, New York, where they (...) - NARA - 17342825 (cropped).jpg

Hello friends,

This month, I tasked myself with getting caught up on reading queries. If you have queried me in the last ohhhhhhhhh, eight months or so, you are well aware of how behind I am. I’m sorry. It sucks for both of us, trust me. I know you are anxious to hear from me and I am anxious to respond to you, but answering queries has to come after my other clients’ work. When you’re a client, you’ll want that to apply to you, too. But since August is *a little* slower, at least when it comes to the submissions I make to editors, I’m dedicating this time to catch up on the slush pile and reading various other manuscripts. I’ve already read three client manuscripts this month! Only mumble mumble more to go!

Before I get into some of my thoughts, here are a few things to know. I’m not going to call out any specific query. That’s just rude. If you think I’m talking about your query, I probably am not, OR I’m talking about your query and a dozen others because lots of people are in the same boat. Take any of this advice that serves you, and leave the rest.

So this is what I’ve noticed in the slush pile recently:

A New Crop of Comps Just Dropped

I’m seeing much, much less of Harry Potter mentioned as a comp and more of the following titles, in no particular order, and obvs for different types of books.

  • A Visit From the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan (I think it’s time for a reread for me)

  • The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt, as well as A Secret History

  • 1984 and Animal Farm by George Orwell (for obvious reasons but also, these aren’t good sales comps. They can be useful vibes comps, though)

  • All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

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