Erica Bauman

…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!

🎵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:
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

Across the board (MG, YA, and adult), I’m drawn to:
-stories with a strong family element, whether that’s biological or found family
-protagonists who aren’t the best at whatever they do or The Chosen One, but who try really *really* hard, even when they screw up

#MSWL

This is weirdly specific (blame my subconscious) but I’d love to see a YA where the MC is dealing with the fallout of a parent’s very public arrest as a serial killer, and the true crime aficionados and podcasters who now hound their family. #MSWL

YA Horror where the thing to fear is more than just a dude with a machete. Something chilling and lurking, like It Follows or The Babadook. #MSWL

I’d love a big YA fantasy set in a dazzling world I can get lost in. #MSWL

Also, more MG and YA graphic novels! #MSWL

I’d love to see more MCs in MG and YA who are literal monsters, but soft and sweet. #MSWL

How many times have I watched this video?
So many times.
Can someone please write me a YA with this level of friendship and support between teammates?
Please?
#MSWL

13) Cute, funny contemporary YA romcoms that are driven by dynamic characters. #MSWL

12) I’m dying for a YA set during the 1920s. Something sharp like gin or bubbly like champagne. #MSWL

11) I’m still desperate for a good YA horror. Something dark and disturbing. More eerie than gory, and grounded in reality (no supernatural killers needed). #MSWL

10) I want more YA stories where the dynamic friend duo is front and center (and any romantic relationships take a backseat) #MSWL

7) Send me the hungry ones, the MCs who want something so badly, it rattles their bones. Who encourage their ambition. (YA) #MSWL

6) Send me your jagged girls, the ones who broke and put themselves back together. The ones who don’t hide what they are (YA). #MSWL

Sends out a million #MSWL wishes into the universe for a YA version of this to show up in my inbox.

Okay, I am officially hit with Olympic Fever. So send me all your YA about Olympic athletes. #MSWL

Still looking for a YA about a teen travel show host. #mswl

You know what? I REALLY want a YA set in the world of competitive ballroom dancing. #MSWL