This is vague, I know, but since it's #mswl day at @TheTobiasAgency, I would love to find a SFF/speculative in adult or ya that is weird but captivating. A little bit of "I have no idea what's going on but I am into it."

As far as what I want in adult: Good hooks, gripping plots, strong characters. I either want light, funny & swoony for the romcom/romance, or layered, smart and edge-of-seat for the thrillers. Sticking with commercial, contemporary for adult for now. No SFF. #mswl #querytip

#MSWL Some examples include:

Jennifer McMahon
Simone St. James
JACKAL
THE LOST VILLAGE
THE WIFE UPSTAIRS
THE HACIENDA
THE HISTORY OF WILD PLACES

I'm always looking to prioritize stories by marginalized voices in these spaces, as well as stories that focus on intersectionality

#MSWL I'm interested in more psychological reads in this realm and NOT as much paranormal monsters (zombies, vampires, werewolves, etc.), political thrillers, or police/detective/military stories.

#MSWL I’m getting a lot of great subs in since I opened up, but not a lot in what I’m REALLY hankering for right now: adult horror, thrillers, suspense whether they are grounded or have more of a supernatural element. I want to be unsettled and engrossed!

(And as always, if you can pitch your manuscript as "Twin Peaks meets romance" I will drop everything to read it. I am fully convinced this idea makes for a great romantic suspense novel and I will drop everything to read it.)

We still publish a lot of westerns, a lot of search and rescue, and the like. That won't change. But I'm newish and actively looking to add to my roster of authors, so if you have something different, send it along; I read every submission sent to me (might take a while but I do)

Our submittable guidelines also mention a lot of our more conventional asks, things that have proved to do well for us. But I'm really interested in stretching our series a little bit, and finding great writers who are giving us fresh takes on old tropes.

More characters from underrepresented groups, specifically Black, Indigenous, disabled, neurodivergent characters in all gender pairings.

The Spy Who Loved Me: agent out for revenge who falls for her quarry.

I'm going to add more things as I think of them. Some other wish list items: a Mulder/Scully type pairing of skeptic and true believer (without the actual aliens; please don't send me explicitly scifi/paranormal stuff because I'm not allowed to acquire them).

--Always and forever looking for a heist or a fantastic twisty plot with high stakes, great cast, and a surprise ending that feels wonderfully satisfying.

--A Rom-Com+. A great romance with high quality writing and a meaningful B-plot, like Joya Goffney's EXCUSE ME WHILE I UGLY CRY. (or the romance could be the B plot)
--Sweeping, cinematic adventures with a fun romance

For both #mg and #ya, would love historical fiction, especially stories not centered in Western history or culture.

#mswl for #ya:
--fresh "inspired by" takes on familiar tales, myths or classics, rather than retellings
--I'd love an historical novel based on the Trung Sisters.

My #mg Heart Book is a book like Gemeinhart's THE MIDNIGHT CHILDREN--fantastic writing, high stakes, dark and creepy yet funny and joyful (all the feels), with character's I want to root for and know.

-- Action-packed adventure works with series potential
-- A younger school-based story, think Andrew Clements' work
--A story dealing with first crushes and heart breaks
--Stories featuring good kids making bad choices and taking accountability for their actions

It's #MSWL day at @TheTobiasAgency! When I reopen to queries, shortly, here are some things I will be looking for: in #MG, I'm still on the hunt for an atmospheric ghost story with universal character themes. Think DOLL BONES or Linda Urban's ALMOST THERE AND ALMOST NOT

#mwsl: Our Harlequin Romantic Suspense line is woefully lacking in LGBTQ+ representation. Anyone have a great f/f romantic suspense novel they want to send me? Cagney & Lacey vibes, or a Jessica Fletcher/Miss Marple team up? Let me know. harlequin.submittable.com/submit

#mswl Just a reminder I'm opening to queries again on 1/20.

Oy. Forgot the #mswl