Kaitlyn Johnson

Literary Agent

Belcastro Agency

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Also HORROR! Mostly just MG and Adult, not YA.

No blood/guts/gore, but psychological and suspenseful.

Love gothic horror
ghosts and ghoulies welcome
Think things like Mexican Gothic, Doll Bones, Oculus, etc.
#querytip #amquerying #writingcommunity

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

SUPER picky with Adult right now! Mainly contemporary, graphic novel, & historical. Fantasy worldbuilding MUST be on point & want more non-American/English storylines

Para romances not at top of my list
Looking for rom-coms, but selective
#querytip #amquerying #writingcommunity

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

For horror (MG and Adult only), think psychological or creature, not gore. I don't like shock for shock sake, and I want characters I can care about. If they die, make me FEEL it
#amagenting #mswl

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Adult

GN - all genres but especially horror, dark fantasy, or LGBTQ+

Novels - romance, contemporary, historical, and MAYBE fantasy. Super picky there. Really want horror like Babadook or Midnight Mass or Haunting of Hill House

#amagenting #mswl

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Things I need more of in my query box:

MG Contemporary

Adult/YA Rom-Com

POC Historical

LBGTQ+ Historical

#amagenting #querytip #amquerying

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

In Adult, my main focus will be historical, contemporary romance, and select fantasy/paranormal. Adult is a harder sell for me, so it HAS to really be unique, new, and with strong voice/conflict
#amagenting #querytip #amquerying

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

This can all be for MG, YA, and Adult btw.

I'd love a spec fic with modern witches (small spells, hanging herbs, cats and comfy seats to read the grimoire). Think Sabrina bet less superpower and more everyday crystals, brews, etc. #querytip #amagenting

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Oo! And what about a YA (Or adult, really) where it's f/f and they're forced to work on a painting together to win scholarship money or startup money. But they hate each other and then end up having a paint fight 😍 enemies to lovers! #MSWL

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Still looking for an Adult contemporary with a therapy group for those who fake being kidnapped by aliens... only to have one member disappear and spark conspiracies 😉 if y'all don't write it, I might have to myself #MSWL

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

For adult, I'd love a contemporary romance with humor. Maybe not full out Bridget Jones, but something that takes realistic elements and makes us giggle at them. #MSWL

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Currently on a HUGE hunt for historical! Any age. I want lesser known historic events and locations. I want MG trusted to become enmeshed in important/involved moments. I want YA and Adult to show rebellion or championing against the common law. #MSWL

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Ok, real quick #MSWL thread that I'm squeezing in today.

Basics: Upper MG, YA, Adult.

DO NOT send me PBs, Short Stories, Chapter Books, Nonfiction, Thriller/Mystery/Suspense, or Erotica

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips
Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

#mswl adult romcom with house designer who teams up with metal or woodworker for specific project client has requested (think Joanna Gains and Clint Harp) #amagenting #querytip

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

I REALLY want a YA or Adult ghost hunting novel. Still hunting for that. #MSWL

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

I've got this weird #MSWL for a humorous adult contemporary set in a therapy group for alien abduction frauds. No idea if it can be pulled off, but it's never left my head 😂

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips

Here are the genres I'm open to: Fantasy (all kinds), Contemporary, Cont. Romance, select Romance, light Sci Fi, Magical Realism, Historical.

Upper MG, YA, and Adult only

I want LGBTQ+ and diverse characters, themes, and worlds. I want mental health and disability rep. #MSWL

Kaitlyn Johnson
@RedPenKaitlyn
Literary Agent
Agent @belcastr . insta: kjbelcastro. Freelance Editor. Serial comma for life. She/her. Query at QueryManager.com/1147
279 MSWL
345 AskAgent
55 Queries
385 Tips