Elana Roth Parker

And not to conflate things, I have never stopped looking for Black voices to add to my list of authors. If you write fun, escapist stories for MG or YA, I'm here! Currently hungry for rom-coms and light fantasy, but open to an adventure. elana.me/wish-list #mswl

And I will most assuredly miss lots of pitches today (yay kids at home!). My queries are open regardless of today's event. I'm always looking for funny, madcap adventures in MG and big sweeping escapist stories in YA (all genres, but not the bloody ones). #DVpit #MSWL

In our constant struggle over car music, I introduced the 5yo to "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" today. And now I want that MG or YA graphic novel. #MSWL

Fantasy is a tough one right now for me. I think I'm more game for fantastical elements in MG/YA rather than "capital F Fantasy." Weave something speculative into something ordinary. Riff. Innovate. Iterate. #MSWL

I'd be interested in seeing MG or YA that explores step-families in an interesting, nuanced way. I have step-parents, step-siblings, a former step-parent, former step-siblings, a new "step-mom" i.e. dad's third wife. It's rich. #MSWL

I really have more room for PBs, MGs and perhaps some graphic novels on my list. I'm generally hungry for more illustrated work. Author/illustrators only for the PBs. I like a whimsical, quirky book. Not too over-the-top. Has to have an emotional core. #MSWL

I've been toying with adding more witches for both MG and YA, but not standard New England/Salem brand stuff and not cutesy like we see in MG a lot. It has to offer something fresh to the trope. #MSWL

All things being equal, I'm *not* looking for murdery/thriller YA books right now. I have two incredible clients writing in that category, and my list is small. #MSWL

On the whole, I'm looking for page-turning, escapist, transporting MG and YA fiction. Light on trauma. Big on feelings—humor, romance, friendship, family connections. #MSWL

I read for FUN. Swooning and rapid-page-turning and feeling all the feels is part of that! Get me out of my head for a little while. #MSWL

I do NOT want books that make me feel like this: #MSWL

Okay. Here it is. For reals. I want books that make me feel like this: #MSWL

In this vein, I am always up for books that have interesting family dynamics with kids who have to figure out who they are in that context, especially in contrast to their parents. How they fit into the fabric and how they can also be themselves. #MSWL

Thing I’ve noticed: my YA list skews more girl, and my MG list more boy. I’d like to balance that, but still maintaining my overarching tastes: high concept, good plots, not-issue-books, joy and exploration and fantasy (both literal and just escapism). #MSWL

My MG #MSWL is basically this: if Rick Riordan Presents would publish it, I want it. Epic fantasy adventures that I haven’t seen million times already. With humor and loads of imagination.

Ah #MSWL day. My perennial list is here, with some updates at the bottom: elana.me/wish-list. I’ll try to tweet some more “specific” things today, but I try not to be too laundry-list-y on this stuff. Just try me!

In fact, I’d just love to see stories from kids in a variety of family structures that WORK. The beauty of a family is that there is no defined shape to a loving support network. Show me! #MSWL

Also I’m certainly not saying parents NEEEEEED to be alive to query me. But if you spent any time in my queries, you’d wonder if there were any other launching points besides major trauma. Kids can be interesting AND come from intact families. Is all I’m saying... #MSWL

Does anyone write MG or YA without dead parents? With alive, loving parents? With semi-functional families? Anyone? #MSWL

It's been a minute (or 8,000) since I worked on my own website, but...I did! I finally added client info (always in progress) and an #MSWL page. And gave it a visual update. Killed the blog (because...ugh, blogs). Give it a look (if you care😜)... elana.me