Laurel Symonds
Literary Agent
KT Literary
Literary agent at @ktliterary (closed to queries). I tweet about books and desserts in equal measure. My dog is the best office assistant ever. She/her

Literary Agent
This time every year I wonder why we don't have a YA retelling of the Christmas story (Mary, Joseph, etc): the characters are the right age, the conflict is strong and, depending on your beliefs, it could be read as miracle or magic a la GRAVE MERCY. Hard to pull off, but...#MSWL

Literary Agent
Other random elements I love: historical fiction, witches (historical and contemporary, but less on the humorous side), boarding schools, food, slow build romance, whimsy, retellings...#MSWL

Literary Agent
Literary MG, whether that's contemporary (a la Corey Ann Haydu) or an animal POV (PAX), I want the books that are going to pull at my heartstrings but leave me uplifted. I'd also love to see something girly (UNICORN QUEST) or with complex puzzles (BENEDICT SOCIETY). #MSWL

Literary Agent
Fantasy, but make it fresh: unique settings, unusual formats, underrepresented mythology, magical realism, paranormal (yes, paranormal!). I've seen a lot of queries comping to GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE and MY LADY JANE. Keep 'em coming! #MSWL

Literary Agent
Contemporary YA! Especially commercial and high concept YA that can be pitched as x meets y. Especially especially a rom com. The next TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE, a younger RED, WHITE, & ROYAL BLUE, etc. Diverse voices!

Literary Agent
Laurel Symonds @LaurelSymonds
@ct_calella @angelaahnbooks @shellyvjames @FTBradleyAuthor @KeeganMBrown @dougcenko @sarahkcwrites @zoeselina @JameyanneFuller @ShayESTaylor @CarolynLe12 @MicBabay I’ve met—or nearly met—all of my first year goals. And I have BIG plans for next year: signing more clients, selling big books, diving deeper into foreign/film/audio, attending more conferences, and finding a way to mentor or offer a paid internship.Speaking of new clients, my #MSWL has been updated! Yes, I’m looking for graphic novels now! Plus, a continued call for commercial YA, literary MG, and PB author-illustrators. manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/laur…

Literary Agent
Molly Cusick @molly_cusick
Random #MSWL: I'd love a MG that deals explicitly with periods: the pain, the missing school, gym class, worrying about your pants/your chair, all that. I got mine between 5th and 6th grade at Disney World -- DISNEY WORLD -- and it was a game. changer.Send this to me so I can send this to Molly! #MSWL

Literary Agent

Literary Agent
There must be a YA novel told entirely through Instagram posts, photos and comments and all, already, right? If not, #mswl.

Literary Agent

Literary Agent
Veronica Mars @veronicamars
The taser's making a comeback, #marshmallows. #VeronicaMars season 4 drops July 26th, only on @hulu. pic.twitter.com/8NFVKeUeQGAhhh! There are few tv shows I'm more passionate about than this one*. I can't wait!
*Pushing Daisies is the only rival.**
**I would love the YA versions of both of these! #MSWL

Literary Agent
Time flies when you're having fun! In my first 6 months of agenting I've built a client list I'm SO proud of. Here's an updated #MSWL (for the next 6 months & beyond!): author-illustrators, slice-of-life chapter book series, girly middle grade (all genres), and contemporary YA.

Literary Agent
FlatironBooks @Flatironbooks
Look what arrived!!! @SGarberGirl 😍 #Finale #Caraval pic.twitter.com/tNMU2DqZouI want! (Both to read because I adore this series and also on my #MSWL for a similar fantasy series.)

Literary Agent

Literary Agent
How about some middle grade #MSWL today?
- Classic feel + animal POV (ONE AND ONLY IVAN, PAX)
- Fantasy, both lighthearted and dark (Thickety series, UNICORN QUEST)
- Quirky + puzzles + complex plots (Mysterious Benedict Society, YORK)
- Historical (WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE)

Literary Agent
- Blended genres, especially with historical settings (MY LADY JANE, GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE, Jackaby series)
- Groundbreakers that make you say wow (THE HATE YOU GIVE, CODE NAME VERITY)
#mswl
(2/2)

Literary Agent
While we’re getting to know each other, how about some #mswl? Today I’ll talk about YA:
- Contemporary with earnest, engaging voices (WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI, TO ALL THE BOYS, DUMPLIN’)
- Lush fantasy (CARAVAL, Grisha series)
- Sassy girl detective a la Veronica Mars
(1/2)

Literary Agent
Jenny Bent @jennybent
@LaurelSymonds even more bonus points if all of them are in the same book amirite 🤣Oh yes! Definitely #mswl material.

Literary Agent
Jenny Bent @jennybent
hey everyone we have a cool announcement #TBA @LaurelSymonds thebentagency.com/laurel-symonds pic.twitter.com/JiUlv5RzL4I am so thrilled to join The Bent Agency as a literary agent!
Writers, send me all* your books!
*Specifically good ones that fit the linked criteria. Bonus points if they include mighty girls, dogs, sisters, baking, or magical happenings.