Sharon Pelletier

And I’ve made some tweaks to my #MSWL lately (and may keep doing so); happy to answer a few questions here if anyone has them!

Think THE NIX with a more reasonable word count, J. Ryan Stradal-type regional flavor but by/from/reflecting a wide array of people and communities. I gravitate strongly to contemporary over historical but do love a good multigenerational tale. #MSWL

Chatting with @JimMcCarthy528 about my #MSWL these days, I've realized I'm HUNGRY for a hearty Midwest novel - something like THE TURNER HOUSE or THE GREAT BELIEVERS that's smart and urgent but also with great warmth and rich storytelling to sink into.

Made a few tweaks to my #MSWL and added a truly mortifying list of my fave media to give all the writers out there a bit of foreshadowing as to my soul's aesthetic. Query guidelines linked too! manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/shar…

And TBH these are all tipping points when I'm reading a manuscript that hits squarely in my #MSWL Yesses.

Ready to query? Contact info here!
dystel.com/sharon-pelleti…

And don't forget to check out the Submissions tab for query guidelines and FAQs

…your project has its best shot at being my next big Nah-to-Yes surprise if it: has strong crossover appeal beyond its genre; hits that upmarket sweetspot where craft, plot, and character meet; evocative (but not purple) setting-as-character; has a grabby pitchable hook #MSWL

#MSWL DISCLAIMER probably most of the Nahs here, you could point to a book I already represent that fits them. One fun thing as an agent is to fall in love with something you never thought you were looking for, even when it makes you look like an idiot in your #MSWL! Sooooo…

#MSWL: SF/F is not my thing. Open to grounded speculative with strong crossover appeal—ordinary with one small or bizarre twist vs. magical/fabulist. NOTHING TO SEE HERE more than NIGHT CIRCUS, THE CITY WE BECAME more than BLACK LEOPARD RED WOLF. No dystopian or time travel.

#MSWL Suspense Nah: crabby alcoholic detectives, LE or PI. Military or political thrillers mimicking current/recent events. Ghosts, dreams, mental institutions don’t work for me. Feeling ODed on Karens with shady husbands and vice versa

#MSWL Suspense YES: setting-as-character in a location we haven’t seen before. A civilian in a career with an intriguing vantage point on people’s habits and motivations. Light grounded horror. Surprise me with something wild like SA Cosby, Rachel Harrison

#MSWL suspense: I'm extra good at this and have a list full of rockstars, so you really gotta knock it out of the park. Upmarket: big on voice/setting, starting a conversation about issues of justice, equality, class, etc., character-driven storytelling, a truly FRESH twist

#MSWL Book club fiction aka women's fiction aka upmarket fiction Nahs: mother-daughter stories, unhappy marriages, white person travels for personal growth, discovered letters/journals. Historical is usually not my thing (especially WWII).

#MSWL: SUPER thirsty for juicy, smart, book club fiction like ASK AGAIN YES, THE VANISHING HALF, SUCH A FUN AGE

YES elements: multi-generation, sibling stories, career-oriented women, sense of humor, reinterpreting classic or myth through an unsung character’s POV

I'm particularly obsessed with the idea of a sanitation worker helming a thriller, which I saw in a tweet a few days ago and foolishly didn't save.

What are your other ideas for careers that would make a good vantage point for suspense fiction?

#mswl

I often say I want unexpected suspense. Here are some careers that could be a fun perspective from which to dig into a mystery instead of police detective as MC
-rental car agency employee
-sanitation worker
-UPS driver (or bus driver, or Lyft driver...)
-mail carrier
#mswl

#mswl

Come to think of it, All I Want For Christmas Is You could be pretty threatening. #MSWL??!

#MSWL You've Got Mail but instead of emails it's a meet-cute in the comments section on the bear cam

#MSWL: this piece but he stopped cheating after 35 years bc she murdered HIM theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

#MSWL: this piece but she's been murdering the other women for 35 years theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…