So, in order to query this editor, he wants THREE COMP TITLES. And not just any three—three published in the last five years. This means ‘no go’ to my go-to comps (Sherlock Holmes meets The Three Bears*).
From this experience I’ve learned three very important things: (1). There were thousands of Middle Grade books, many of them mysteries, published in the last five years. (2) Quite a few are moving, beautiful, meaningful prose. (3) Most of them I’ve never heard of, and it’s likely that nobody else has either, and they might be terrific, anyway.
Any other writers find this as depressing as I do?**
*No, honestly.
**Nothing a few dozen lattes can’t cure.
An Actor, a Writer, and a Rabbi's Wife Walk into a Bar... 
Janet Reid was talking about comps on her blog fairly recently… googling… googling… Uhm… http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2018/01/comps-vs-influences.html The depressing was very slightly lifted by her explanation. (Which I won’t paraphrase). And that’s about the most cheerful thing I have to say about comps.
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Great and very helpful post. I was concerned I might not have worked hard enough at finding the right comps, but, without knowing, it seems I had, based on that explanation.
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