6/ SPECULATIVE: “five-minutes-into-the-future” fiction that remains grounded in real human emotions and conflict (think Ling Ma or TJ Klune). Magical realism should feel organic and lyrical, where everyday life brushes against the surreal. Jesmyn Ward, Karen Russell, and Ruth Ozeki are the dream.
5/ ROMANCE: The right balance of emotion/comedy. Friends or enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, second chances. Atmospheric settings. Lovable side characters and a fresh take on archetypal love stories. Open to speculative/paranormal romance with a touch of magic. No toxic romance tropes.