Haley Casey

I also want to build my list of exciting, meaningful, fun, and funny MG fiction! Again, I especially hope to see SFF and horror submissions with original premises and clear conflicts, but I'm also open to contemporary stories and mysteries. In everything, I hope to see strong messages! #MSWL

For adults, I'm on the hunt for hooky commercial fiction and women's fiction, especially with a focus on friendship; thoughtful speculative fiction; swoon-worthy romantic comedies and paranormal romance; and a few accessible, grounded fantasy, romantasy, horror, and science fiction novels. #MSWL

First: YA! Half of the projects that I fell in love with last year were YA fantasy, so I'm craving more! I'm also open to contemporary, romance, mystery, horror, and sci-fi.

I'm seeking unique world-building; relatable, messy, dynamic characters; twists and turns; and emotional depth. #MSWL

In general, my #MSWL includes big emotions, multi-level plots, female friendships, sweeping urban fantasy, clever fairytale retellings, reimagined classics, unique story structures, locked-room YA thrillers, MG with magical creatures, heists & spies & assassins, rivals to lovers, and diverse voices.

In the world of kidlit, I also want to see more MG, especially SFF. There's so much to love in this space—quick pacing, accessible themes, and a lasting impact on readers. Think AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS, LALANI OF THE DISTANT SEA, or anything from Rick Riordan Presents #MSWL

I need some escapism this year, and I found a lot of it in romance, fantasy, and intriguing horror novels in 2022. I’d love to see more of that in my inbox! #MSWL

… deep MG with a strong message; sweeping YA fantasy; women’s fiction with characters I’d kill for; banter-filled contemporary romance; and meaningful and well-written nonfiction for any age. They’ll fill in some gaps on my list! #MSWL

For fantasy, I want purposeful world-building. I'm into standalone or loosely interconnected stories (think GRACELING or WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT), but I’ll never say no to a richly conceived series, especially one with a little darkness. Either way, characterization should be 🔥🔥