Michelle Witte

As always, I'm interested in finding projects from writers and illustrators who are part of traditionally marginalized groups. I especially love to see books that incorporate unique elements from their heritage. For every age group I represent, board book to YA. A forever #MSWL .

I would love to find more cozy fantasy for YA/MG, and just cozy books in general. When the world is a dumpster fire, sometimes we just need a little escape where there are still stakes and things to do, but in a way that doesn't cause massive anxiety. #MSWL

I'm definitely looking for more submissions from people who write and illustrate graphic novels. #MSWL I've found I don't connect as strongly with just graphic novel texts, which is why I usually prefer to see sample pages of graphic novels from author-illustrators, for any children's age group.

#MSWL I'd love to see wuxia or xianxia stories from Asian writers or the diaspora, either in YA/MG. I find stories from Asian history and folklore fascinating and want to see more from authors from those cultures. But I'm not interested if it's from a cultural appropriation self-insert perspective.

I always hope it doesn't need to be said, but sadly it does: even though I'm so white I'm clear and very much cishet, I'm not the agent for books that feature any kind of intolerance toward other people, whether race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. I don't tolerate intolerance. #MSWL

This will forever be a #MSWL for YA/MG: kids/teens leading rebellions and speaking truth to power. Especially right now, when so many of them *are* leading the rebellions against those who want to oppress us.

I love anything dark and creepy, not just ghost stories. I watched We Have Always Lived in the Castle (which is fantastic, btw), so creepy/gothic with an unreliable narrator is a plus. #MSWL

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

Dark fantasy or magical realism à la Pan’s Labyrinth is another love of mine. I love that creepy, ethereal feel of magical realism and folklore mixed with a dash of horror. #MSWL

I often crave dark, spooky, creepy stories in YA/MG, especially during fall and winter—those darker times of year. There’s something about it that especially makes me want to curl up with a good ghost story. #MSWL

Note to those new to Manuscript Wishlist Day: The purpose of #MSWL is to give writers an idea of the *kinds* of books agents are looking for. If your ms has a similar tone, theme, genre, etc., then that agent/editor might love your story too. #MSWL tweets are examples, not the only things we want.

As a note, I'm fluent in Spanish and French, can read and understand a bunch of Italian and Portuguese, have studied a bit of Korean, and am currently obsessed with Chinese dramas. I absolutely want to get more queries from BIPOC authors and illustrators to better fill that hole in my list. #MSWL

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.