Erica Bauman

I also have a more detailed list on manuscriptwishlist.com, and update my instagram #mswl highlight reel with things that pop up throughout the year.

As always, I’m looking for projects in the MG, YA, and Adult fiction space. #mswl

Hello 2026! As we get closer to the new year—and my query inbox reopening—it’s time for me to update what I’m looking for. I saw a lot of fabulous projects in 2025 (but more on that later), and I’m excited about what I might find in 2026. #mswl

I update my #MSWL regularly, and you can find it all here:
www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/erica-bauman/

Overall, I’d say that my taste is high concept with a commercial, hooky conceit, but with beautiful, lush, heady prose that you can burrow into. #MSWL

I love romance, but I need a strong secondary plot that’s not romance to balance out the story. If you’re enemies to lovers, also be rivals for the last spot on the Olympic gymnastics team. If you need a fake date for a gala, it’s because they’re also your patsy/alibi while you pull a heist. #MSWL

I’d also love to see more mysteries/adventures that involve puzzles/riddles/games. I’ve seen National Treasure and Jumani too many times, and love that sort of propulsive plot device. #MSWL

I love retellings, but I believe that 1) they shouldn’t be too precious with the original, but bring something new to the telling, and 2) need to stand on their own. I’d also really love to see a retelling with an unexpected genre mashup, like mythology x sci-fi, or Peter Pan x horror (😍) #MSWL

Right now, the largest % of queries I receive are for the fantasy genre. Which is great, I love fantasy, but I also want my list to be balanced. So I would *really* love to see more queries in other genres: romcom, horror, mystery, historical, magical realism, graphic novel, etc. #MSWL

Happy #MSWL Day! I’m looking to work with some great new authors this year! General MSWL is linked below, but here are some specifics I’d really love to see…
bsky.app/profile/ericabauman.bsky.social/post/3ldlrgu36zs2p

…and (even with the QM shutdown) I’m hoping to get back to everyone by the end of the year. So, if you haven’t heard from me yet, thank you for your patience!

As for 2025, here’s an updated #MSWL of what I’d love to see in the inbox. Looking forward to some exciting projects next year!

#mswl

#mswl

#mswl

🎵It’s TIIIIIIIME! 🎶
I saw a lot of incredible queries in 2024, and my experiment of opening my inbox one week a month worked out well. I was able to stay on top of my inbox and meet my personal goal of getting my response times waaaaaay down. That said, I’m still going through Sept-Dec queries…

#mswl

I’ll probably create an updated #MSWL for the new year, but my query inbox reopens on 12/1 for the last time in 2024. Here’s what I’m currently looking for: www.instagram.com/p/C3Qv6eOLch...

#MSWL:
MG Genres I’m looking for: fantasy, contemporary, mystery, historical, horror, light/near-future sci-fi

YA: fantasy, contemporary, mystery, historical, horror, light sci-fi, romcom

Adult: light SFF, upmarket, horror, romcom

#MSWL CONT:
-stories where the bff relationship is front and center. Give me your Shawn-and-Gus, weirdos together forever friendships.
-stories about the arts. I am forever that theater girl.

#MSWL CONT:
-eerie & haunting atmospheric horror where the source of the fear reflects something deeper. No gratuitous violence/gore—I want to be creeped out, not grossed out.
-swoony, sharply funny romcoms w/ chemistry that sizzles