Molly O'Neill

Literary Agent

Root Literary

Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

YA that shows understanding of the genre, yet breaks rules, follows no formulas, & couldn't possibly be described of being derivative. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

YA re: a deception of a similar scale/magnitude+its frantic unraveling +repercussions.Medical theme not req'd. #MSWL vanityfair.com/news/2016/09/e…

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

YA that plays w/ structure/perspective/other aspects of storytelling in unique, outside-the-box, compelling (but non-gimmicky) ways. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Picture books that appeal to kids’ sense of silliness via absurdity. Turn what they know & think possible about the world upside down. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Picture books that are smart & full of wit, but genuinely kid-centric. Only seeking authors who’re also illustrators right now, pls. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Vivid settings, where time/place are so rich & realized, they almost feel like a character. I want to feel as if I've traveled there. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Redemption stories, particularly when the road to reaching redemption looks anything but familiar. YA or MG. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Creative story structures & formats. If you play with notions of time or reality or truth or choice along the way, so much the better. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Smart, sharp, intelligent writing will always catch my eye, in any YA/MG genre. As will rich, lush, lyrical prose if well-controlled. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Magical realism. Magical realism. Magical realism. Magical realism. Magical realism. Magical realism. Magical realism! YA or MG. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

I'd like a memorable historical YA or MG where what the characters go thru feels deeply resonant & accessible to readers' lives today. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

A contemporary YA love story that feels EPIC & high-stakes & bigger than just a high school romance, even if chars are in high school. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Send me yr wildly original YA or MG fiction. Not derivative of recent hits w/a few elements changed; ideas that feel All & Only Yours. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

I <3 tearjerkers, but am hungry for YA that explores epic/intense experiences on the spectrum of teen emotion *other than* grief/loss. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Actively seeking: contemp YA that achieves *big* emotional stakes WITHOUT any death. No dead BFs/BFFs. No dead parents. No car wrecks. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

If you've written the kind of MG/YA novel re: faith that @ReadingRants & @katierichert discuss here, QUERY ME. #MSWL publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/in…

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Since Malia's got us all talking about gap years, how about a gap year novel? Prefer it feel more YA (self & world discovery) than NA. #MSWL

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips
Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Remember how I wanted FUNNY YA? Someone pls write me a YA where a char's summer job looks something like this. #MSWL instagram.com/p/BEMaS9hrhRd/…

Molly O'Neill
@molly_oneill
Literary Agent
Literary agent & builder of bookmakers @RootLiterary . Collector & connector of words + art + people + stories. Shameless sharer of cat pics. @MarquetteU alum.
121 MSWL
2 Tips

Would love a ms. that plays w/ multiverse theory like this one, but YA (or MG). Note: writing must be superb. #MSWL shelf-awareness.com/max-issue.html…