@Krumbles13, the agents fill those out themselves.

Submit Query via QT - 5/1/2025
Contemporary Romantic Suspense - 100k
Requested a partial (6/5/25)
After 172 days she declined on 12/3/2025

She gave a kind response with her initial request:

Thank you so much for your query and opening pages for TITLE. I truly enjoyed what I've read so far, and I'd love to read more.

If this title is still available, please use the link provided to upload the first 50 pages.

My current turnaround time is roughly 90 days and I respond to all queries, partial, and full submissions. If you do not receive a response within that time, please feel free to reach out with a nudge. Also, if you should receive an offer on this manuscript before I respond, please let me know.

Thank you so much, and I look forward to reading more of your work.

Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong, Literary Agent
Marsal Lyon Literary Agency


Here is her rejection comment:

Thank you so much for your patience while I considered TITLE. Regretfully, I am stepping aside and will not be offering representation for this project. Please know this has nothing to do with the premise or your writing. In truth, my client list has grown significantly in recent years which has caused me to be hyper-intentional when taking on new projects. Not only must the project fill an existing void on my list, but it's also imperative that I completely fall in love with both the story and the writing. And honestly, the latter is rarely a reflection of whether I think the project is good or might go on to find a publisher but how well I, as a reader, connected with the work overall. In your case, I found your writing compelling, but I wasn't as "obsessed" as I need to be to move forward.

I'm sorry I don't have better news, but I wish you the very best as you continue your publishing journey.

Cathie

@patrick

Romance, Fantasy is listed in her genres but on MSWL she has a no for fantasy. (I was a little confused because further up on the MSWL she says romance in every genre except SciFi but on this part says no fantasy)

"NO ACROSS THE BOARD
Children’s Fiction (YA/MG/PB)
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Sexual assault UNLESS there’s a clear reason for including it, and then nothing graphic. I don’t like sexual assault strictly for shock value or as a story-telling device when it’s unnecessary and any other type of crime could easily be substituted."

Adult Women's Thriller.
Q: February 25, 2025
PR: April 16, 2025
Reached out in August 2025 to say she is really sorry and behind on queries but will respond by the end of the summer.

September 2025 reached out saying she is still behind and wants tor read my work but she doesn't know when she will be able to get to it, so she wants to give me the option to query other agents at her agency but if I leave my manuscript with her she will promise to answer and to read it before she opens queries again.

October 17, 2025. No update. Not sure if I should withdrawal and try another agent.

November 4, 2025. Still waiting, but going to keep this in the queue until I really need to.

December 1, 2025 Very nice rejection. Said she liked the writing but it doesn't fit in her list right now. Wish I didn't wait so long :(

Query submitted 9 Jan 2025
Form reject 23 Jan 2025

75k adult sapphic fantasy romance