This in a novel. #MSWL
bbc.com/culture/article/20220512-the-people-who-danced-themselves-to-death

I’m not a fit for: sci-fi, grief stories, stories that personify death in some way, and pb that “teach a lesson.” Right now I am being very selective in contemporary YA and MG.

In #PB I’m on the lookout for funny, child-centered books with a clear narrative arc and amazing character who could possibly carry more than one story. I’m not looking for PB bios right now, but am open to NF that surprises, especially if it involves the natural sciences.

For #YA , I’m really on the lookout for a cozy fantasy, fantasy with immersive world building, dark academia, and would love a fresh take on vampires or the Eternal One trope.

For #MG , it’s all about the voice and high stakes adventure for me.

Thanks to manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social for organizing #MSWL day! I’m open from 1-7 of every month and here is what I’ll be looking for in March:

I rep PB-YA and gravitate towards projects that have a clear, commercial hook and a captivating voice. 🧵

#MSWL - I'm going to become an aunt this year! Would love to see stories that feature the special relationship between aunts/uncles and their nieces/nephews/niblings. #PB #kidlit #kidlit art

Even more #MSWL details are on my website. You can find submissions guidelines there, too!
mariavicente.com

And I'm still looking for a middle grade animal story to add to my list (I’ve been looking for over a decade…). Examples: Pax by Sara Pennypacker, Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel, A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry, Santa Paws by Nicholas Edwards. #MSWL

I’m looking for what I like to call “weird and wonderful” YA novels. Magic realism, or stories that blend genres to create something new. Examples: Wilder Girls by Rory Power, They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera, and The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton. #MSWL

I represent creators of graphic novels and graphic nonfiction for all age categories. I’m particularly looking for graphic novel proposals that push the boundaries of the format—a book that NEEDS to be in a visual, sequential format. #MSWL

Some nonfiction books I love: Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, All the Gold Stars, Witches of America, Taschen’s The Library of Esoterica series, What We See in the Stars, The 2000s Made Me Gay, Trick Mirror, Nightmare Fuel. #MSWL

In nonfiction, send me proposals about art, the environment, pop culture, psychology, science, cultural history, and occult topics. Give me new perspectives on entertaining topics. #MSWL

Stylish mysteries and thrillers that rely on tropes but make them feel new. Give me the modern-day The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. #MSWL

Some good comparison titles for my current taste in fiction: The Bloody Chamber, Death Valley, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Bunny, My Year of Rest and Relaxation, Godkiller, Legends & Lattes, The Fake. #MSWL

In contemporary fiction: books with “sad girl” or “cool girl” vibes. #MSWL

In genre fiction: fantasy (shorter, mostly standalone books—epic fantasy series are not for me), grounded science fiction, magical realism, retellings of fairy tales, horror. #MSWL

The number one item on my wish list right now is upmarket and literary fiction. Contemporary or speculative. Anything strange, weird, or depressing is for me. #MSWL

Right now, I’m looking for a little bit of everything. Beautiful writing + a compelling sales hook is the key.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to speak about my #MSWL and what I love about my job! Always fun to take a break from my inbox and gush for a bit about books 😊

#MSWL : Psychological thrillers. If I don’t start doubting everyone by chapter three, what are we even doing? Bonus points for unreliable narrators, characters making very bad decisions, and at least one scene where I gasp out loud. 🔍😵 #amquerying