Christa Heschke

Sci-fi – I’m not looking for hard sci-fi. I'd really like a sci-fi-horror like ALIEN (but not too much gore!! I can handle some though), and always open to space operas! No intergalactic wars.

Mystery/suspense – I really like creepy, gothic suspense like A FORGERY OF ROSES. And GALLANT—it feels like gothic, fantasy, & horror all in one! Anything that comps to CRIMSON PEAK is always on my list—creepy manor, period piece, lots of secrets, ghosts, some romance!

Middle grade – In addition to my constant favorites, fantasy & horror, I definitely have a soft spot for all things creepy & mystery! I'm a constant fan of THE GREENGLASS HOUSE, THE CLACKITY, NIGHTBOOKS, & I was a huge SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK fan as a kid.

Comps: PAN’S LABYRINTH for fairy-tale horror, Carrie Ryan (especially THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH), THE YEAR OF THE WITCHING, FINAL GIRLS, MEXICAN GOTHIC, WILDER GIRLS. I also can’t get enough horror movies—BODIES BODIES BODIES and BARBARIAN are two more that’ve stuck with me!

Horror, YA & adult - To me, the best horror has social commentary (WHAT WE HARVEST, EAT YOUR HEART OUT). I love horror blended with fantasy or fairy tales. I never get tired of creepy forests & small towns with secrets, whether it’s a current setting, historical, or high fantasy!

This year, I’ll be looking first for MG, then YA, then adult, then PB. My preference is for dark genre work (fantasy, horror, suspense) and rom-coms/lighter contemporary! I’m newly open to adult rom-coms after falling in love with a few last year. 😁

I also LOVE horror in general! Horror with social commentary & twists on common tropes, like EAT YOUR HEART OUT & WHAT WE HARVEST. Atmospheric--all the dark, creepy vibes (strange small towns & dark forests never get old for me!). Beautiful literary writing is always a plus.

MG: I'm VERY open here, from contemporary to any genre you could think of, and the whole range from lower MG to upper! From light, funny, and whimsical, to darker and more serious. I'd also love an MG mystery or horror!

MG: This is the area I'd most like to expand!

YA: My first love! I'm always looking for YA that stands out.
Select adult SFF & horror.
Always open to author-illustrators & graphic novels. Plus @DanieleDHunter & I LOVE novels-in-verse! We tend toward lyrical writing generally.

This! 👇#MSWL

I grew up reading Fear Street, some Stephen King etc. and watching all the scary movies so horror is always high on my #MSWL

Yes! All the yeses! I need this! #MSWL

So, I mention that I like horror of the downright creepy variety. This will give you a sense of what that would be. As soon as I saw the trailer for this game I almost evil laughed 😉 👻💀 supermassivegames.com/games/man-of-m… #MSWL #YAhorror #ghostship #manofmedan @SuperMGames

So in light of my recent October-themed tweets, please do send me all your creepy, eerie, scary and strange YA and MG horror, mystery and thrillers. I am 100% in the mood for a good scare and all thing that go bump in the night! #MSWL

In light of seeing #AQuietPlacemovie tonight, I'd LOVE to see all the YA and MG horror--smart, creepy, not derivative, with a twist. I'm not as into slasher horror---but genuinely suspenseful and scary. #MSWL

All the #MG (literary, commercial, mystery, horror, adventure, magical realism--dark or light) Almost anything! #MSWL

As always, I'm still looking for all things creepy and horror! #YA #MG Final Girls for YA #MSWL

A late #MSWL post, but I'd love to see a Roanoke inspired horror YA. Think last season of American Horror Story.

Creepy, eerie, scary #YA #MG horror. Something that feels fresh, with a twist. Keep me up at night scary! #MSWL