Kelly Dyksterhouse

I’m not a fit for: sci-fi, grief stories, stories that personify death in some way, and pb that “teach a lesson.” Right now I am being very selective in contemporary YA and MG.

In #PB I’m on the lookout for funny, child-centered books with a clear narrative arc and amazing character who could possibly carry more than one story. I’m not looking for PB bios right now, but am open to NF that surprises, especially if it involves the natural sciences.

For #YA , I’m really on the lookout for a cozy fantasy, fantasy with immersive world building, dark academia, and would love a fresh take on vampires or the Eternal One trope.

For #MG , it’s all about the voice and high stakes adventure for me.

Thanks to manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social for organizing #MSWL day! I’m open from 1-7 of every month and here is what I’ll be looking for in March:

I rep PB-YA and gravitate towards projects that have a clear, commercial hook and a captivating voice. 🧵

#YA : again, I’m looking for high concept stories with a strong hook, cozy fantasy with a strong voice and unforgettable characters, unique or fresh take on vampires or the eternal one trope. Cryptids? I want to believe.

Looking forward to reading your work!!

#MG : stories with a strong hook, fast-paced adventure, grounded fantasy, first crush or light romance—particularly on the hunt for stories by marginalized authors.

I’ll be opening to queries Feb 1-7 so thought I’d update my #mswl for a few things I’m particularly on the lookout for.

#PB : laugh out loud stories with a clear narrative arc, clever wordplay, twist endings, memorable characters. I’ll be open to both text only and author-illustrators this month.

PB—at this time I’m only looking for author-illustrators and illustrators. I’m looking for work that has a strong narrative arc and clearly centers the child reader.

MG: I’d love fresh fantasy with fantastic voice, contemporary adventure along the lines of James Ponti’s works, shorter illustrated works for younger readers, and I’m always looking to laugh.

YA: high stakes fantasy with atmospheric setting, a cozy fantasy that makes me laugh and gives me all the feels, a story set in a competitive subculture, and I’m always open to a fresh take on vampires or the “eternal ones” trope.

Hello 2025~I’m back in the office and open to queries this week! #amquerying #kidlit #writers #illustrators , I’d love to see your #YA , #MG , narrative NF proposals, and #PBs . I’ve updated my #MSWL , but some particular things I’d love to see in my inbox:

I am drawn toward books with a commercial hook and gorgeous writing, books that say something new and demand a place on the shelf. I’m so excited to read what you send me!

I am so excited to be opening to queries again! I will be open beginning tomorrow, June 3-June 10. #amquerying #writers , my #MSWL remains much the same but this month I am especially on the hunt for #YA and #mg genre fiction from diverse perspectives.

Please check out my #mswl page, #PM page, or website for more detail about the kinds of projects I’m on the hunt for. If you think we’d be a fit, I’d love to read your work! (4/4)

Hopefully this will ✂️ wait times while also allowing me to give each query the focus they deserve. I figure it’s worth a try. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

So what am I looking for? Primarily #mg and #ya and #illustrators . (3/4)

My hope is that I’ll be able to respond to queries in a more timely manner. I know authors put time and care into their work and it’s not fun to wait. I also know how long it takes me to give queries their due consideration. (I’m slow, and I know it, but it’s how I work!) (2/4)

I am so excited to let #amquerying #kidlit writers and illustrators know that I am FINALLY reopening to queries on Friday, Sept 1! AND I am trying something new! I am going to try opening for queries the first 7 days of each month only. Why? 🧵(1/4)

--Always and forever looking for a heist or a fantastic twisty plot with high stakes, great cast, and a surprise ending that feels wonderfully satisfying.

--A Rom-Com+. A great romance with high quality writing and a meaningful B-plot, like Joya Goffney's EXCUSE ME WHILE I UGLY CRY. (or the romance could be the B plot)
--Sweeping, cinematic adventures with a fun romance

For both #mg and #ya, would love historical fiction, especially stories not centered in Western history or culture.

#mswl for #ya:
--fresh "inspired by" takes on familiar tales, myths or classics, rather than retellings
--I'd love an historical novel based on the Trung Sisters.