Maria Vicente

I’m looking for what I like to call “weird and wonderful” YA novels. Magic realism, or stories that blend genres to create something new. Examples: Wilder Girls by Rory Power, They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera, and The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton. #MSWL

Illustrated graphic novels and graphic nonfiction by individual author/illustrators. MG, YA, Adult. The art needs to cleverly utilize the comics storytelling format. I’m not looking at script-only submissions at the moment. #MSWL

Weird and wonderful YA novels. Just the slightest touch of magic, or stranger, or unsettling in an otherwise ~perfectly normal~ world. #MSWL

Also in YA, LGBTQ+ love stories. Give me Heartstopper. Give me Kurt/Blaine or Santana/Brittany from Glee. Over-the/top adorable feels to warm my cold, bitter heart. 💖 #MSWL

For YA, contemporary stories written by authors with a ridiculously unique voice. Mary H.K. Choi, Eric Smith, Nina LaCour, and Tiffany D. Jackson have written some of my favourite YA books. #MSWL

YA #MSWL

🪞 psychological horror
👬 LGBTQ+ romance
🎸 historical fiction ft. music subculture
👩🏼‍🦼 contemporary stories

formats: prose, novels-in-verse, graphic novels, experimental structures

YA/Teen* #MSWL

🧋 ”weird & wonderful”
🧋 LGBTQ+ romance
🧋 historical fiction
🧋 magical realism
🧋 novel-in-verse
🧋 mysteries & thrillers

*Happily avoiding that discourse tyvm.

I watched S1 of DARE ME on the weekend and now I'm desperate for some "bad girl" YA manuscripts. #MSWL

I’m particularly interested in a story that explores:

🌀disco’s beginnings in Black and queer communities

🌀 the commercialization and appropriation of the genre as it gained popularity

🌀 the (racist and homophobic foundation of the) anti-disco movement

#MSWL

The query inbox at @PSLiterary opens on Monday, and I’m so excited to add new clients to my list in 2020.

Representation info and my updated #mswl is at the link below. Let me know if you have any questions.

mariavicente.com/representation

When it comes to graphic novels (for all ages—MG, YA, or Adult), most of the submissions I receive are fantasy. I would love to work on more realistic stories. Maybe even some horror! #MSWL

More YA things you should send me: best friend stories! LGBTQ+ rom coms! eerie mysteries! #MSWL

For Young Adult, my biggest #MSWL is fun, lighthearted novels by POC and LGBTQ+ writers. I see so many submissions for issues-based stories—which we need, don't get me wrong—but I want to put a little more joy into the lives of teen readers who already deal with so much shit.

Right now is the perfect time of year to send me your YA or MG Horror manuscript… #MSWL

YA romantic comedies featuring LGBTQ+ characters. #MSWL

I’m still looking for a YA macabre fairy tale retelling. A story that combines luxurious fantasy and horror. #MSWL

Super fun Contemporary YA. You know all your favourite swoon-worthy fanfic stories? I want YA fiction that reads like that. #MSWL

This is exactly what I’m looking for in YA manuscripts right now. #MSWL 💖🌈✨📝

To be more specific when it comes to books, my Young Adult vampire-themed #MSWL would look something like this: new twists on classic tropes; more interested in a badass character than "vamp with a soul"; the Pink Ladies or T-Birds... but vampires!

I so badly want these “fluffy” YA books by POC and LGBTQ+ writers. As much as I love angst and think “issue books” are super important, I also love ridiculously fun stories that make readers feel good about life (including their identities). #MSWL