Emmy Nordstrom Higdon

1: High-concept contemporary is what’s making my heart sing right now. I recently read SHINE by Jessica Jung and devoured it. That said, hints at the speculative are always special for me. (Focus on hints.)

First: I always prioritize queries from LGBTQ2S+, disabled, chronically ill, and/or BIPOC authors. That applies to ALL my asks below, and I am grateful for all of you who choose to query me.

SAME. #MSWL (Bonus points if they're super queer!)

According to Bookscan data, manga was the #1 category for sales growth in US publishing in 2020, up 43% from 2019. This 100% tracks for me, as I've watched a TONNE of anime this year, and purchased more manga than ever. Books similar to slice of life anime are always on my #MSWL!

#MSWL

I get a tonne of queries for YA novels that feature characters who are in, or have just gotten out of, some kind of interaction with the prison industrial complex (i.e., juvenile detention). I would LOVE to see a book like this written by someone with lived experience. #MSWL

Um I LOVE this #MSWL !!!!!

If anyone ever wants to write this book, I am so here for it. #MSWL

Always always here for friendship stories! #MSWL

Here for it. #MSWL

Please someone write me this book holy heck. #MSWL

If you want to query me, FIRST check out my MSWL and Westwood's submission guidelines. I also tweet specific #MSWL asks and #QueryTips! I prioritize submissions from Black and/or BIPOC, non-binary and/or trans, and disabled/chronically ill authors.

manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/emmy…

7/ I have 6 subs confirmed for 2021, but I am at a wonderful agency with lots of support, and I have the capacity to build a little more next year. If you think you might be the right fit for my list, ALL my details can be found on MSWL! #WritingCommunity

manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/emmy…

6/ As far as contemporary goes, I am open. Devastate me. I'm ready.

5/ About 31% of my list is SFF, but I am at an agency with a fantastic track record in literary fiction. I would love to read more upmarket, contemporary, and lit fic by emerging authors, especially (but not exclusively) living in Canada.

4/ Some of my current KidLit faves are: @BrittneyMMorris' SLAY, PET by @azemezi, @itsrorypower's WILDER GIRLS, anything by @JessieSima, HURRICANE CHILD by @kacencallender, @strangelykatie's TEA DRAGONS, anything by @BenHatke, LOOK by @zanopticon.

4/ Only 26% of my list is KidLit of ANY kind. I'm super picky about what I take on, but I represent PB, chapter, MG, and YA, and would love to see more voicey, character-driven stories in all of these categories in my inbox in the new year.

3/ Only 11% of my list is non-fiction! Please send me your deep-dive journalism, progressive true crime, essay collections, and science books! Think @esmewang's COLLECTED SCHIZOPHRENIAS or @yourewrongabout.

2/ My primary focus is #OwnVoices stories by Black and/or BIPOC authors, disabled and chronically ill authors, and LGBTQ2S+ authors. I love the #SpineSquad with all my heart, but it is still a majority white group and my goal is for that to change in the future.

1/ 2020 is coming to a close and I am at query inbox zero! I have a small stack of partials and 10 fulls to read and consider. I remain open for queries, but I won't be reading anything new before 2021 at this point. What am I looking for in 2021? GLAD YOU ASKED! 👇 #MSWL