Haley Casey

Finally, I'm open to nonfiction for adults and teens! I want to learn something new, discover unique angles on topics I love, and find accessible projects. I'm actively seeking memoirs/narrative; true crime stories; women's, POC, and LGBTQ+ issues; gardening/sustainability; and food content. #MSWL

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.

I'm reopening to queries this morning, so in honor of the new year and new platform, it feels like it's time for an updated #MSWL ! (To be clear, any previous wish list claims that I've made still stand, but this represents the tippity-top of my list right now.)

querymanager.com/query/hcasey

This Halloween, after all the spooky October books I read, I've found myself craving a YA or MG horror novel rooted in non-Western mythology in my QM. I would love to see under-explored creatures and folklore brought to life—and the more atmospheric, the better! #MSWL

However, I love psychological horror, unreliable narrators, creepy retellings (think Wonderland), supernatural stories, and books with a ton of atmosphere. Comps: THE HONEYS, MEXICAN GOTHIC, Erica Waters, SHE IS A HAUNTING, Simone St. James, SMALL SPACES, etc. #MSWL

Whoever said they were Kaz and Inej coded was SPOT. ON. If they have this energy (adult or YA), I want to see it #MSWL

Rewatching DOCTOR WHO means realizing that my deeply embedded love for well written, story-relevant age gaps and couples who argue, stand together, and communicate effortlessly comes from my endless love for Rose and Nine. Every scene, I swoon #MSWL

Finally, some of my favorite books last year were by trans, genderfluid, and Native American authors. While I'm always looking to support diversity, I hope to see more stories from creators who don't often cross my desk (or my bookshelf)—with Palestinian voices top of mind #MSWL

Bring me myth, fairytale, and classic retellings!

Bring me vibes!

Bring me:

Locked-room YA thrillers
Rivals-to-lovers tension-filled romcoms
Unbearably clever YA heroes
Romantasy with characters to die for
An MG novel full of magical creatures
Heists
Female friendships

#MSWL

In nonfiction, I want to be hooked by the idea of learning something new, discover a new angle on a topic I love, and find projects that are accessible to their audiences. Specifically, I'm craving women's and LGBTQ+ issues, gardening/sustainability, and food content #MSWL

Always for me, characters are key, and there are few better characters than those in women's fiction! Bring me those friendships, those internal conflicts, the complications of being a human woman (a la the BARBIE movie). If there's a twist of some sort, so much the better! #MSWL

When I think of joy and heart, romcoms always come to mind, and I'm craving them this year! I want charm, humor, strong internal conflicts, banter, yearning, and suave love interests! Think Sangu Mandanna, Cat Sebastian, Anita Kelly, Jeaniene Frost, and BEACH READ #MSWL

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

...YA, to start! Across genres, joyful, diverse, heartfelt YA novels with compelling plots and characters stood out to me last year, and I would love more on my list! Think ELATSOE, YEAR OF THE REAPER, YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN, LITTLE THIEVES, THE GHOSTS OF ROSE HILL #MSWL

We're well into January, which means—now that the hustle and bustle of the New Year has slowed down and I've had time to consider my inbox—I have some additions to my 2024 #MSWL !

To be clear, everything I've asked for previously still stands. But this year, I'm really craving...

For example:

EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER
GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN
THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU
PORTRAIT OF A THIEF
GRACELING
GHOST WOOD SONG
THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD
ILLUMINAE
A PHO LOVE STORY
PET
KING AND THE DRAGONFLIES

#MSWL

Surprise me! Bring me twists and new tropes and unique takes on classic stories. Play with structure, whether it's verse or epistolary or a story in documents. Tell me something new about the world. #MSWL