Future #MSWL & QM update:
I have less than 40 undecided queries/submissions. I plan to reopen mid-late January to a few genres. This info is not on my website or MSWL page yet— it’s just a head’s up and I hope it’s helpful!

✨ ADULT FICTION✨
• contemporary romance - think Emily Henry but low spice or Melissa Ferguson
• upmarket / book club
• cozy mysteries

✨ NONFICTION✨
- same as what’s on website -

✨ KIDLIT ✨
• PB/MG/YA - classic-style with a literary bent. Secret Garden. Bridge to Terabithia. Winnie-the-Pooh.
• PB - humorous character-driven series

‼️Not looking for SEL or rhyme.‼️

#amquerying authors, I've reopened to adult nonfiction only - I'd love to see some more science/nature projects in my inbox! #MSWL QueryManager.com/2006

I know I'm closing to queries tomorrow, but authors keep me on your list for a "rowdy family book," preferably middle grade but YA might work too. Think in the spirit of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever or Cheaper by the Dozen. #MSWL

Holy crap! #MSWL this is the perfect setting for a locked room mystery or horror. The single-lane tunnel into town freaks me out.

Oh my gosh I don’t even normally go for historical romance but someone give me something like QUEEN CHARLOTTE the next time I’m open to queries. I am giddy watching this #MSWL

Historical Fiction • romance, war & conflict (e.g. Palestinian). Open to ancient to near modern time periods.

Non-fiction • some Islamic history, memoirs (esp. reverts to Islam)

Dystopian • overreacting govts, secret societies, collapse, revolution, apocalyptic (esp w/ religious themes)

Romance • any of the above, historical, contemporary, enemies to lovers, childhood sweethearts, love triangles, no explicit content, would love halal

Sci-fi • space opera, aliens, monsters, romance

Fantasy • high/epic/second-world, retellings, mythical creatures, *limited* magical systems, time travel, academia, romance

✨📑Open for submissions with @shaherazadshelf ! Accepting YA & Adult.

Submit to me 🎁 shaherazadshelves.com/submit

#scifi #fantasy #romance #dystopian #publishing #writingcommunity #amediting #amwriting #mswl

#MSWL
Manuscript wish list:
Fiction:
- Adult space only for Dec 2023
- Thrillers
- Psychological thrillers: character-driven & twisty
- Horror: thoughtful, more suspense than gore, unexpected endings.
- Mystery: 70k-100k words, historical & contemporary with or w/o a hint of romance, trad cozies, police procedurals, amateur sleuths & private 👁️ fiction
- Suspense: 75k - 100k words, no paranormal, lower to mid-level descriptions of violence
- Romance: Historical & Contemporary (with series potential), Romcom (with new fresh spins on old tropes), Small Town Western Settings, Diverse Romance, Holiday Romance
- Historical Fiction (no WWII fiction) from the ’20s, ’40s and Victorian era
- I would LOVE a creative retelling of The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes
- I would also love a contemporary take on AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
- High-concept book club fiction with a commercial hook. Anything provocative, humorous, and/or haunting
- Novels featuring complex family and/or racial dynamics and unforgettable characters - Speculative fiction with quirky characters
- For all fiction: a magnetic opening, well-trained, flowy writing and cliffy chapter endings please!

NonFiction:
- Only from authors with an established/large platform
- Commercial nf with a wide reach
- Sports
- History
- Celebrity or true crime autobiography - Book club nonfiction books with take-away
- Stories infused with faith/positive spirit
- Space-related memoir & other space nf from authors with a platform

I may add more! And if you're very keen on working with me, but you aren't sure if you've got what I'm looking for, you can always DM or comment with your questions.

I am now open to submissions until 31 Dec!
I AM SO EXCITED TO READ!
Please see my #MSWL below, and feel free to DM me your questions.
QueryManager.com/colleenoefelein

#MSWL
As always, this isn't an exhaustive list. If you think you have something (in the adult space) that you've seen me mention before or that's so insanely well-written you think I'd love it, but you don't see it on the list I posted, please feel free to send me your Dec query.

And finally, since I'm not seeing many of these in my inbox, I'd like to put out a call for Indigenous stories, and not limited to the US region. No limits on the topic either - I'm seeking Indigenous stories of any topic for all age groups (MG, YA, adult). #MSWL

I'm always on the look out for friendship stories and messy young women! #MSWL

On the YA side, this spans from NOTHING BURNS AS BRIGHT AS YOU to A LESSON IN VENGEANCE.

On the adult side, think QUEENIE or REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLY.

I'm on the hunt for a nuanced and compelling dystopia, along the lines of STATION ELEVEN.

Something speculative that comments on our current world. #MSWL

Horror! I'd love to see more YA horror in my inbox, and I'm also opening up to adult horror!

For adult, I'm particularly interested in horror with a social commentary focus.

I'm also open to non-horror social commentary, like YELLOWFACE.
#MSWL

As always, I'm seeking MG in verse and MG that addresses mental health. I'm also open to these things in YA. I tend to favor blank verse. #MSWL

Our #pitchingevent has now started! Get your pitches to us using the hashtag #FBAPit and check out our guidelines below 🤩

@alice_caprio has posted her #MSWL so you can also find that thread at #FBAPit .

We can't wait to read your pitches!!

Ok million dollar idea for whoever wants to write it: Phantom of the Opera meets Love Island—a murderous misanthrope haunts the set of a raunchy reality show. #mswl

before i re-open to queries (please send me your weirdest & wildest), i whipped up a little something to show what i'm looking for these days: