Q; 12/10/25
R: 12/11/25

I just completed another query workshop and this time it was with a very high ranking agent at one of the top agencies in America. I was told my query was clear and solid. The feedback was so encouraging I may send it to the instructor of the class but I wasn't sure if my book fit what they were looking for. So, to recieve this feedback is very confusing and frustrating. I really don't think my query can be more clear at this point.

UPDATE: I just realized as I scrolled down that this is her Form Rejection that she specified only with "not the right agent for this project or 90s settings" which is fine that's a taste issue but the form part is "re-work your query" etc so it's "more clear" and well, this is all making sense now and I believe she should rework her form rejection.

UPDATE 2: Okay, so it gets worse. Scrolled down to idathomasdotter's comment and they got the same "not right for 90s settings" but their book is set in 2039. So, yes, this seems like a "red flag" to me as andrewvest suggests as this agent doesn't seem to be reading the queries closely which may be why they're rejected so quickly.

Dear X,

Thank you for the opportunity to see your pages. Unfortunately, I don't feel I am the right agent for this project or 90s settings, so I'm passing. Just because I wasn't quite drawn in, however, doesn't mean there isn't another agent out there who will love it. I encourage you to re-work your query so that the plot points, obstacles, and character(s) attempts to overcome them are more clear.

I wish you the best of luck on your writing journey!

Best,
Kiki

@andrewvest I don’t think she’s a ‘red flag’ agent, bit on unfair because of the same form rejection, it’s just standard advice. She’s very active on socials, inc Reddit giving out advice. She even did an AMA yesterday to help authors in the query trenches

Got a form rejection letter with the same query “advice” many list here. I would personally classify this agent as a “red flag” agent, unfortunately.

Q: 12/10/25
R: 12/10/25
95k Literary Horror

I received what appears to be the standard form rejection - however, I do very much appreciate Kiana's commitment to respond to all queries - and at pace. So thank you for that.

"Thank you for the opportunity to see your pages. Unfortunately, I don't feel I am the right agent for this project, so I'm passing. Just because I wasn't quite drawn in, however, doesn't mean there isn't another agent out there who will love it. I encourage you to re-work your query so that the plot points, obstacles, and character(s) attempts to overcome them are more clear.

I wish you the best of luck on your writing journey!"

Q: 11/27/25
R: 11/28/25
86k YA Contemporary Romance