Melissa Danaczko

On the unexpected, one of my favorite things is being presented with something really unique in one of the categories that I represent, even if doesn’t technically check any of my Wishlist boxes. So don’t be afraid to try me. #MSWL

A few other interests: underground/bunkers, chess, food/food industry, reinvention. I'm from Houston and lived in Miami, so also interested in those (and surrounding) parts of the country #MSWL

Across all genres, I like characters that make morally-dubious decisions and then have to deal with the fallout, a sense of humor, a distinctive narrative voice(s), unique settings/subcultures, and the unexpected. #MSWL

Another very specific interest is the Ottoman Empire. I would especially like to see it/its legacy in more fiction, but open to narrative non-fiction around this too #MSWL

I like novels or narrative non-fiction about interesting jobs/industries, which can take many forms. For example, Counterfeit, Margo’s Got Money Problems, Best Offer Wins, Olga Dies Dreaming, Number One Chinese Restaurant, Carrie Soto is Back, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Tomorrow x3, etc. #MSWL

A mystery/thriller with a speculative element built into the premise rather than used to explain things at the end (For example, Wrong Place, Wrong Time) #MSWL

I would love a mystery/crime/psychological thriller set in Shanghai, Mumbai or another densely populated city besides NYC and London (not opposed to novels set in NYC/London or somewhere less densely populated, but I am also very much on the hunt for settings beyond that). #MSWL

Something a little soapy (whether it’s a succession-type story, something like The Gilded Age, or more like Bad Summer People). One specific wish is a take on HOAs or Co-op boards, would be interested in this in pretty much any category I represent. #MSWL

Book Club Fiction: I am actively looking to develop this part of my list. Family sagas, love triangles, complicated relationships, an element that keeps you guessing/turning pages, strong narrative voice, and of course, driving questions/themes you'd want to chat about in an actual book club. #MSWL

I am particularly on the hunt for horror-comedy, even something a bit campy (Patricia Wants to Cuddle, Bless Your Heart). Same goes for humor in mystery/psychological thrillers (Dial A for Auntie, Finlay Donovan, etc). Would be very open to a mash-up of a funny horror amateur-sleuth too #MSWL

I love a retelling that transforms the original into something that can fully stand on its own (favorite example of this is Clueless, but there have been some good literary retellings lately too) #MSWL

Grounded speculative where there is a single thing that is different about the world that completely changes how people behave (The Measure, Age of Miracles, The Leftovers, etc). Even outside of speculative, a really good “what if” gets my attention #MSWL

It’s specific, but I think something where the character thinks they’re in a rom-com or telenovela-type story/setting, but it winds up being horror. I’d also love a horror heist #MSWL

I would love to see more historical horror/supernatural. I also like taking something familiar that is fairly benign on the surface and twisting into horror/supernatural: a sorority, academia, sports-culture, wedding, college admissions, real estate horror, etc. #MSWL

Supernatural/horror that gives robust consideration to how humans react to magical elements around them, and of course, twists on familiar tropes. #MSWL

I am not on BlueSky much, so if my #MSWL is a match with your project, please contact me through my email (mdquery@skagency.com) and mention MSWL in the subject line.

Hello! I am a literary agent at the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency where I represent a wide-range of Adult fiction and non-fiction titles (please see my link in bio for more information). #MSWL

I was updating my Manuscript Wish List and it got auto-corrected to Manuscript WITCH List and I think I'm just going to leave it at that. Send me all the witchy stuff. #mswl

Should say this also applies for my #mswl 🙂

This is one of my forever #MSWL