Jordan Hamessley

In the end, my tastes skew more literary on the MG side. I love a tearjerker and I'm always open to novels-in-verse.

I look forward to seeing lots of great new projects in my query inbox!

#mswl
querymanager.com/HamessleyQuery

I'm always on the lookout for more trans girl stories, especially now whether in fiction or NF across all ages. In the meantime, you should pre-order @dirtbagqueer .rocks's ONE OF THE BOYS that fulfilled a longtime #MSWL item of a football book that gave me FNL vibes.
victoria.monster/#preorders

I'd love some YA that gives me slasher movie vibes. SCREAM was a formative movie for me and I'd love to read something that makes me feel the first time I watched SCREAM.

#MSWL

I continue to yearn for great author/illustrators to add to my list. awfulagent.com/illustrators/

My favorite PB is still THEY ALL SAW A CAT because the visual journey of that book makes me cry every time.

I'd love to find a laugh out loud character-driven PB. Who is the next PINKALICIOUS?

#MSWL

On #MSWL day, I figured I'd share some of what I'd love to see in my inbox:

*In light of the administration's anti-DEI stance, I'd love a kid-friendly history of the space program like THE NEW GUYS, THE SIX, or THE RIGHT STUFF.

*Any astronaut's out there with a story to tell? Say hi.

As 4/15, I am completely caught up on queries.

Still looking for author/illustrators!

I'm very hungry for MG and YA non-fiction.

We are going back to the moon. Send me your space race non-fiction! The Right Stuff for kids! Voyager 1 is turning 50 soon! Give me SPACE!

#mswl

I really love elephants.

If you are an illustrator with an elephant picture book, hit me up. I’d love an elephant book of an elephant living its life in wild. Not living it up in the big city Babar-style. (Also less colonialism) #mswl

I would love some brilliant, atmospheric YA horror that is reminiscent of THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE or a slasher like SCREAM.

I've also become a fan of novels-in-verse across middle grade and YA.

And I'd love to add a few more graphic novels to my list across all ages! #mswl

I'm pulling back on science fiction in the children's/teen space, but would love interesting non-fiction projects about space travel/exploration like THE RIGHT STUFF for kids. For space in fiction, I'd like something like WE DREAM OF SPACE or I LOVE YOU, MICHAEL COLLINS. #mswl

Right now I have a very robust list of text-only picture book clients, so I'm focusing on finding author/illustrators in the picture book space for now. I would love to find YOUR version of something like THEY ALL SAW A CAT. #mswl

I recently updated my bio and wishlist on the @NewLeafLiterary website. I've been here for three years and my list has grown a lot and now I'm trying to fill some holes and adjusting my needs! Give it a read and query if you think you are a fit! #mswl

newleafliterary.com/people/jordan-…

Was just chatting with @mer_barnes about BILLY ELLIOT and now I'm crying over "Electricity" again. I will say this until I get it, but I desperately want a YA project about a male ballet dancer in HS. What was Billy's life once he got to the academy? #mswl youtube.com/watch?v=muBrh7…

I absolutely loved #TheHalfOfIt. Such pure queer high school feels. I'm sure I'll be rewatching. And it goes without saying that if you have project that feels like this movie, send it to me. #mswl

I've been watching a lot of ballet videos while self-isolating. Just a reminder that I am still on the hunt for a great ballet YA project from the POV of a male dancer. Billy Elliot grown up. Or this moment from Center Stage. #mswl

I did not know this and have the same feelings as @diebelra. I’m totally here for this and other queer historical YA ideas! #mswl

My client list is super queer but I am definitely on the lookout for stories by trans women, both in fiction and non-fiction! We need these stories. I represent all ages, but primarily focus on childrens, picture books through YA! #mswl

I am still very much on the hunt from MG and YA non-fiction! I am always on the hunt for great queer books of all ages and I would love to add some more queer illustrators to my list! #MSWL

Something I've been doing this week is look for trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer illustrators. So many of the books I represent are written by and tell the stories of those identities and it would be great to have the covers illustrated by queer artists. Hit me up! #MSWL

I’m also really hungry for science and math non-fiction in middle grade and YA. My picture book list is really strong in NF these days and I want older kids to be inspired by math and science, too! #mswl

I am really hungry for some non-fiction middle grade and YA in my queries and for the right topic (pop culture, feminism, theater/music/dance), I’m open to adult non-fiction projects. For ex: I’m an avid fan of @EggcellentPod, @WestWingWeekly, @GilmoreGuysShow, and #Cheer. #mswl