[QCrit] THE NEXT GREAT WRITER, Adult Upmarket, 100K, First Attempt
My book is a feminist publishing satire involving AI and romantasy. I started querying two weeks ago and have received a few rejections, so now I'm wondering if it's my query letter, first pages, subject matter, or something else. Any suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance!
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When novelist Marjorie Tessler revenge-feeds her manuscript into AI, she accidentally creates a viral romantasy and the reader connection she’s spent a lifetime chasing. THE NEXT GREAT WRITER is an upmarket fiction complete at 100,000 words, combining the publishing satire of Yellowface and the wit and feminist reinvention of Lessons in Chemistry.
Forty years after her bestselling debut, Marjorie is still being dismissed in a literary world that favors men. But after a decade spent writing her magnum opus, Corps, she’s ready for the acclaim she believes she deserves. Then her husband, Jonathan, reveals mid-divorce he stole her manuscript, ran it through AI and will publish the result as his own literary triumph. Broke from failed legal action and furious that AI-generated fiction is being rewarded, Marjorie vows to beat Jonathan at his own game. She sends Corps through AI and summons to life a were-dragon romantasy. Published under the pseudonym "Vivienne Fox," it’s everything she stands against… and also too good to put down.
While Jonathan’s novel sweeps literary prizes, Marjorie’s romantasy becomes an online sensation. To sustain the book’s momentum, she promotes the romantasy disguised as Vivienne: podcasts, Tiktoks, fan conventions. But the longer she performs as Vivienne Fox, the less she feels the disguise. The romantasy readers don’t just love the book, they love Vivienne. As exposure becomes dangerously likely, Marjorie faces a question more terrifying than the loss of her career: is reader connection, and not literary prestige, what could make her feel like the next great writer?
(Bio, with no writing credits)
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First 300 words
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"Who is she even? Marjorie Tessler?" said the younger attendant, pointing at the lone name tag on the table.
"You haven’t heard of Marjorie Tessler? How old are you?" said the older attendant, the one who looked annoyed. "She’s a writer."
"Booktok isn’t talking about her."
"She writes real literature. Literary books."
A woman approached the table — possibly Marjorie Tessler? The two attendants stood up straighter, but the woman only asked where the bathroom was.
"She disappeared decades ago," said the older attendant, slouching, when they were alone again. People ebbed and flowed in the atrium, eager to get to the conference. "Her last book came out 10 years ago, could you even read then?"
"Ha."
"Her first book was a real hit, but since then I don’t think she’s sold that well."
A woman next to the table coughed. She was dressed in beige with a hat and sunglasses. She’d been standing there for at least 30 minutes and both attendants had forgotten about her. At book conferences, there were always weirdos.
"She first published at 18," said the older attendant. "An overnight success."
"What’d she write? Fantasy, romantasy, thriller?"
"It was a book about a ski trip."
"One book, a standalone? Not even a series?"
"I read it when I was younger. A high school girl goes skiing with her dad and he invites his mistress. The writing was poignant." The older attendant swallowed slowly. "I cried."
"No one’s crying about it on Tiktok. Who’s reading her books?"
The older attendant sighed. "Apparently old people."
"Older than you?" The younger attendant took out her phone and touched up her bangs. "She’s not going to show. God, what kind of name is Marjorie? What is she, 90? For all we know she’s gotten a boob and nose job. Yes? — bathroom’s on the right."
"I need my name tag." The woman in beige stood in front of them, her hand outstretched.