Brian Geffen

And for MG contemporary, I'm on the hunt for affecting, voice-y middle grade with a hooky premise, friendship, and emotional depth--coming-of-age books that tow the literary-commercial line like Dan Gemeinhart's and Erin Entrada Kelly's books! #MSWL

Agent friends! Since I was closed to submissions for a while, I want to declare that I am/have been BACK OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Please send your clients' amazing projects my way. I'm particularly eager to find more YA contemporary and fantasy, plus MG contemporary. #MSWL

Agents: We need YA and kidlit and wonderfully distracting creativity more than ever right now! My inbox is wide open. #MSWL contemporary realistic & fantasy MG, YA, and GNs! Let's make some books!

I would love to see these books pop up in my inbox, agents. #MSWL

9/ #MSWL: Middle-grade and YA graphic novels about identity, particularly coming-of-age stories that explore relationships and friendships with emotional depth. Books like This One Summer, Real Friends, and American Born Chinese.

8/ #MSWL: High-stakes MG and YA contemp that feature breakers of tradition and characters who forge their own paths, as well as novels about identity and overcoming adversity. Wonderful books like I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Dear Martin, and The Stars Beneath Our Feet

6/ #MSWL: I'm ALWAYS on the hunt for affecting, beautifully-written middle grade contemporary in the vein of Kate DiCamillo, Jacqueline Woodson, and Katherine Applegate. Stories that feel like coming of age experiences (I refuse to let YA monopolize this term!).

4/ #MSWL: I would love to find more MG fantasy that combines commercial, high concept plotting with gorgeous prose. Books packed with action, adventure, heart, & friendship that tow the line between literary and commercial. Wildly original worldbuilding, always!

Agents: Forever and always, I'd love to edit a YA or MG with an MC who is a rapper. A man can dream! #MSWL

I absolutely loved THE STARS BENEATH OUR FEET. Exactly the type of MG realistic fiction I'm looking for. Agents, if you have MG that comps well to this book, please send it my way. #MSWL

A great post by @DanielleBurby on what "high concept" means. (Agent friends, pls send me your voicey high-concept YA and MG, please!) #MSWL

#MSWL So great to see the rise in #ownvoices YA realistic fic inspired by energized movements like BLM--I'd love to see more for MGers, too!

#MSWL Last one for the day! MG for fans of Kelly Barnhill's masterpiece, THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON. One of my all-time favorite MGs.

#MSWL Always and forever, I'd love to find an MG or YA novel about an aspiring rapper. Send me those hip hop stories!

#MSWL Agents, I'm intrigued by MG & YA characters who are a little damaged--antiheroines, emotionally scarred, suffered loss, outcasts

Agents: I love affecting, beautifully written middle grade in the vein of Jackie Woodson, Kate DiCamillo, and Katherine Applegate. #MSWL

4/#MSWL How could I forget heartwarming middle grade!

1/#MSWL Agents: I'm on the hunt for great mses! MG and YA fict: fantasy, magical realism, realistic fic (dark and dangerous), act/adventure

Agents: #MSWL MG w quirky characters, heart, & whimsy (realistic fic, fantasy, magical realism). YA contemp fantasy with fresh worldbuilding

Agents: I'd love to see an MG fantasy with the whimsy and brilliance of a book like JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL #MSWL