Michelle Witte

Since June is Pride month and I’ll be open to submissions the first 10 days, I want to be extra clear that I always love getting queries from LGBTQIA+ writers and illustrators. #MSWL

I will be closed to picture books for now because I signed several fantastic authors and author-illustrators, plus I still have some pb in my requested submissions pile that I need to consider, so I won't be open to those for now. I'll let you know when that changes.
#MSWL

And, as always, anything that can be described as odd, weird, strange, off-the-wall, or similar for any age group, but particularly MG.
#MSWL

Since my slush pile will be reopening June 1, here's an updated #MSWL for holes in my current list:
–Board book author-illustrators
–Early reader and chapter book authors or author-illustrators
–Graphic novel author-illustrators (any age in kidlit)
–Creepy, gothic, southern gothic MG or YA

Maybe it’s because there’s so much doom and gloom in the world right now, but I’d love to see YA in my inbox with more humor. I want more cozy fantasies with light-heartedness, sass, or even snark, not constant death and destruction. #MSWL

Hey, so if you're one of the (too many) laid off federal employees who also writes or illustrates books for kids, I'd love to hear from you. I'm always interested in nonfiction proposals for all age groups within kidlit, and science, math, and history will be even more important soon. #MSWL

It has been ages since I read or watched this so I can’t remember. What I do remember is how much I loved it as a kid so absolutely I would love something of a similar vein for mg. #MSWL

Totally random, but an MG with bird or animal characters having to perform a banishment or exorcism ritual would be a total #MSWL for me. Wind in the Willows but horror? How amazing would that be. That’s the kinda thing I wanna see for real.

#MSWL If you think I’d be a good fit for your work, add me to your query list for when I reopen in March. Please don’t pitch me here or ask me about your manuscript.

These are some of my perennial #MSWL wishes. You can see a fuller list on my website, though this obviously isn't everything: michellewitteliterary.com/query-guidel...

I'll try to think of specific things tomorrow to give you an idea of the kinds of books I like. But I also love to be surprised.

I love to get queries for books that fit any of these descriptors: weird, strange, odd, quirky, creepy, bizarre, peculiar.

I would kill to find the next Edward Gorey. Like seriously, an author and/or illustrator with the same twisted, quirky vibe is my dream. Or the next Roald Dahl.
#MSWL

A few more #MSWL a bit early: I would love to find some chapter books and early readers (even better if you're also an illustrator).

I love board books as well, but those I want to see from author-illustrators.

For picture books, I'm willing to see text only, but I do prefer author-illustrators.

Oh, and I should note I’ll be re-opening to queries on March 1, so please do keep me in mind as you prepare your query lists for pb, mg, ya, and everything in between (as long as it’s for children). Once I reopen, my query guidelines will be live at QueryTracker.net/query/michel... #MSWL

#MSWL I only represent children’s books, but I work with everything from board books through YA, both fiction and nonfiction. In board and picture books I prefer seeing submissions from author-illustrators.

#MSWL First off, let me be clear that I actively look for authors and illustrators from marginalized groups (from all races, cultures, ethnicities, genders, LGBTQIA+, etc.).

I’ll be at the LTUE sci-fi/fantasy conference this weekend, so I might end up posting more than usual since books will be on the brain. Or maybe less, if I run into a lot of friends I haven’t seen in years. But I will try to throw out some #MSWL posts since I’m opening to queries in March.

I desperately want to find the equivalent of the picture book author in the Korean drama It's Okay Not to Be Okay. (If you've seen the show, you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.) Maybe just a little less stabby. #MSWL

Please, I beg of you, once I reopen to queries in like a month, send me every children's manuscript (PB through YA) that someone told you was too strange to let out into the daylight. I must discover the next Roald Dahl or Edward Gorey. #MSWL

I'm working on my new website and currently updating my #MSWL there. My biggest ask, always and forever: anything weird, strange, odd, quirky, or don't fit neatly into a box. Send me all your weird little darlings, because I will treasure them.

Oh, and I have a soft spot for Southern Gothic. Especially from/about POC. And I don’t mean just tossing a side character who practices hoodoo/voodoo into a mostly white story. *side eyes Hollywood* #MSWL YA/MG