Michelle Witte

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

The purpose of #MSWL is to give writers an idea of the *kinds* of books we’re 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.

Dark fantasy or magical realism à la Pan’s Labryinth is another love of mine. I’ve been reading the novelization by Guillermo del Toro and Cornelia Funke, and it has that creepy, ethereal feel of magical realism and folklore mixed with a dash of horror. #MSWL Again YA/MG ONLY.

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

Oh, and I should mention that a MG or YA retelling of this (or similar type of story) is most definitely #MSWL.

This will forever be a #MSWL for YA/MG: kids/teens leading rebellions and speaking truth to power.

Total #MSWL for YA.

After going through the fantastic #DVpit pitches this week, there's one particular #MSWL that I didn't see but am dying to find. I'm a bit obsessed with Wuxia—Chinese historical tv shows—right now, especially Legend of Fuyao. I would lovelovelove to find a YA fantasy like that.

My kingdom for a YA of this. #MSWL

Just watched the second episode of The Passage and man, I would give anything for an MG with heroine like Amy. Or pretty much anything that could star @SaniyyaSidney. #MSWL youtube.com/watch?v=m--WB1…

YES, PLEASE.

Also, #MSWL.

Kids who think like this will always be a #MSWL for me.

#MSWL

I will #MSWL this forever, especially for mg. Note: Looking for girl MC, as there are already so many stories of boys discovering swords and such (magical or not).

I would die for a YA/MG along these lines. #MSWL Real magic or just imagined, doesn't matter. I especially like stories that focus on girl friendships/sisterhood.

YES PLEASE. #MSWL

Yes please. I worked for 2 years at a large metropolitan newspaper (as both a reporter and copy editor), so I'd love something with the feel and energy of the newsroom, but in a high school or jr high newspaper (since I only do kidlit). Fic or nonfic. #MSWL

The other day I stumbled upon DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) Twitter, and I would LOVE to see manuscripts and short story collections (fiction and nonfic) from writers with DID. #MSWL (No need to wait until I reopen to queries on this one, but I only rep kidlit.)

A note for writers: I'm currently closed to queries, but I'll sometimes post things I'd love to see to #MSWL because I will most likely forget by the time I reopen to queries. So take it as a "for future reference."

With all of the attention and love that teen rom-coms are getting right now, I'm wondering if we'll start seeing a resurgence of light, fun romances in YA. I AM HERE FOR THIS. #MSWL

Now to get publishers interested in acquiring them...