For thrillers, I love complicated family dynamics, twisted female friendships, and tense mother daughter relationships.
I like dual POV or time periods- think THE SUNDOWN MOTEL. Big fan of Lucy Foley and Wendy Walker. Would love to see more locked room thrillers as well.

I should say I’m open to the Regency era as well!

For historicals, whether it’s a mystery or historical fiction, I want a feminist female protagonist. I usually gravitate towards Edwardian and Victorian eras. But I’m open to the 1920s-1950s.
I’d love to see body snatching or spiritualism like in SPITTING GOLD.

I acquire a few genres between our two imprints, but to break it down:

Crooked Lane:
thrillers, historical mysteries, cozy mysteries, and horror.

Alcove Press:
historical fiction, magical realism, speculative fiction, romcoms, bookclub fiction, and romantasy.

A 🧵 on my #mswl and what I’m hoping to see in the new year (or in the next two weeks since my inbox is still open 😂)

But most of all I like to be surprised… To submit please follow the guidelines on lindsayliteraryagency.co.uk/submissions-2/ and then email: info@lindsayliteraryagency.co.uk 3/3

For MG I'm interested in finding a high concept fantasy adventure, or a funny heart-warming narrative. I'm always on the look out for writing from underrepresented voices and so please do get in touch with your stories. 2/3

I'm on the look out for new authors so in case it's useful on my wish list currently is... a complicated YA romance story in an unconventional setting, a YA Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow or Americanah. I'd love to see more from Irish writers particularly Northern Irish! 1/3

I just updated our current areas of special interest on Submittable: freespiritpublishing.submittable.com/submit/134906/free-spirit-submissions #mswl #kidlit 💕

Future #MSWL & QM update:
I have less than 40 undecided queries/submissions. I plan to reopen mid-late January to a few genres. This info is not on my website or MSWL page yet— it’s just a head’s up and I hope it’s helpful!

✨ ADULT FICTION✨
• contemporary romance - think Emily Henry but low spice or Melissa Ferguson
• upmarket / book club
• cozy mysteries

✨ NONFICTION✨
- same as what’s on website -

✨ KIDLIT ✨
• PB/MG/YA - classic-style with a literary bent. Secret Garden. Bridge to Terabithia. Winnie-the-Pooh.
• PB - humorous character-driven series

‼️Not looking for SEL or rhyme.‼️

#amquerying authors, I've reopened to adult nonfiction only - I'd love to see some more science/nature projects in my inbox! #MSWL QueryManager.com/2006

I know I'm closing to queries tomorrow, but authors keep me on your list for a "rowdy family book," preferably middle grade but YA might work too. Think in the spirit of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever or Cheaper by the Dozen. #MSWL

Holy crap! #MSWL this is the perfect setting for a locked room mystery or horror. The single-lane tunnel into town freaks me out.

Oh my gosh I don’t even normally go for historical romance but someone give me something like QUEEN CHARLOTTE the next time I’m open to queries. I am giddy watching this #MSWL

#MSWL
Manuscript wish list:
Fiction:
- Adult space only for Dec 2023
- Thrillers
- Psychological thrillers: character-driven & twisty
- Horror: thoughtful, more suspense than gore, unexpected endings.
- Mystery: 70k-100k words, historical & contemporary with or w/o a hint of romance, trad cozies, police procedurals, amateur sleuths & private 👁️ fiction
- Suspense: 75k - 100k words, no paranormal, lower to mid-level descriptions of violence
- Romance: Historical & Contemporary (with series potential), Romcom (with new fresh spins on old tropes), Small Town Western Settings, Diverse Romance, Holiday Romance
- Historical Fiction (no WWII fiction) from the ’20s, ’40s and Victorian era
- I would LOVE a creative retelling of The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes
- I would also love a contemporary take on AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
- High-concept book club fiction with a commercial hook. Anything provocative, humorous, and/or haunting
- Novels featuring complex family and/or racial dynamics and unforgettable characters - Speculative fiction with quirky characters
- For all fiction: a magnetic opening, well-trained, flowy writing and cliffy chapter endings please!

NonFiction:
- Only from authors with an established/large platform
- Commercial nf with a wide reach
- Sports
- History
- Celebrity or true crime autobiography - Book club nonfiction books with take-away
- Stories infused with faith/positive spirit
- Space-related memoir & other space nf from authors with a platform

I may add more! And if you're very keen on working with me, but you aren't sure if you've got what I'm looking for, you can always DM or comment with your questions.

I am now open to submissions until 31 Dec!
I AM SO EXCITED TO READ!
Please see my #MSWL below, and feel free to DM me your questions.
QueryManager.com/colleenoefelein

#MSWL
As always, this isn't an exhaustive list. If you think you have something (in the adult space) that you've seen me mention before or that's so insanely well-written you think I'd love it, but you don't see it on the list I posted, please feel free to send me your Dec query.

And finally, since I'm not seeing many of these in my inbox, I'd like to put out a call for Indigenous stories, and not limited to the US region. No limits on the topic either - I'm seeking Indigenous stories of any topic for all age groups (MG, YA, adult). #MSWL

I'm always on the look out for friendship stories and messy young women! #MSWL

On the YA side, this spans from NOTHING BURNS AS BRIGHT AS YOU to A LESSON IN VENGEANCE.

On the adult side, think QUEENIE or REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLY.

I'm on the hunt for a nuanced and compelling dystopia, along the lines of STATION ELEVEN.

Something speculative that comments on our current world. #MSWL