Lauren Bajek

#mswl

#MSWL

I don't usually like timey wimey novels but I do want this. #MSWL

Elements I gravitate toward include:
-- queer/trans content
-- diaspora, third-culture, & semi-visible "other"nesses
-- nerds, scholars, niche experts
-- nature & ecosystems
-- communication, translation, deciphering
-- quieter & more communal kinds of resistance (e.g. unions, Bartleby)
-- the Weird

A few things I'm NOT looking for:
-- evil, possessed, or demonic babies. Please do not send.
-- solo heroes toppling an empire within 1-3 books.
-- magical bloodlines and demigods.
-- cops. Yes, including in mystery.
-- comps to the Handmaid's Tale

I do not represent YA or any other kidlit.

4. A murder mystery with no murder! A murderless mystery! Must be fair play, must have that Christie/Sayers feeling. Especially interested if it's set largely on the internet, this land of false identities, faked deaths, and character assassinations. Comp: the premise of THE VERIFIERS, YELLOWFACE

3. I'm dying for a creepy/surreal reality TV book. I'm seeing a lot of cute/fun reality show books get picked up, but I want the bizarre, black mirror, reality is melting vibes. This is a case where I don't necessarily need an overt speculative element, because reality is surreal enough.

2. Butches. Butches!! Please. I'm less interested in toxic masculinity on women, so I'm especially looking for expressions of healthy masculinity. (This goes for all characters, but please send me butches.)

1. A fresh, theme-driven take on werewolves. If you're comping NIGHTBITCH or THE DEVOURERS, you have my attention. I would especially love a book that draws on the long historical records of werewolf beliefs, like an updated Old Thiess story

If your book fits one of those categories, I encourage you to just query me! I respond to all queries, and I love finding gems in the inbox.

If you want a peek at what fun, smart, weird SFFH looks like to me, you can check out my announcements from last year.

Some specific asks for 2025...

🧵

It's #MSWL day! I represent adult SF, fantasy, and horror; also open to mainstream fiction with genre elements, or a deeply surreal/speculative flavor. This year, I hope to expand into romance and mystery, esp. with speculative elements. I like books to be smart, fun, and weird.

🧵

#MSWL and I'm not joking

Last one for today-- I'm still seeking projects featuring abortion care workers and unions/collective action.

Here endeth the #MSWL

I do watch a LOT of reality TV and I'm interested in any project as addictive and bizarre as the current crop of dating shows.

I want to see every riff on the gothic. Reality show Gothic? yes. Gig work Gothic? hell yeah. I love creeping dread with a sense of play behind it.

I'd love a really emotionally sharp Magic Flute retelling.

Tree law. TREE LAW.

Werewolves, IF:
-- incisive and theme-driven. if NIGHTBITCH were a beach read.
-- Old Thiess / hound of God vibes.

No alpha tropes, please.

#MSWL

Oh wait-- one more bizarrely specific #MSWL from me:

I'd love to read a historical or Regency farce set on social media. The scandal! The games of gossip telephone! The social climbing! I'm talking Georgette Heyer with groupchats and softblocks.