And finally, a YA #MSWL :
- Commercial YA
- A novel that is NOT set in a high school
- A heist book
- A humorous novel-in-verse

6/ SPECULATIVE: “five-minutes-into-the-future” fiction that remains grounded in real human emotions and conflict (think Ling Ma or TJ Klune). Magical realism should feel organic and lyrical, where everyday life brushes against the surreal. Jesmyn Ward, Karen Russell, and Ruth Ozeki are the dream.

Also for #mswl 2025 day, please check out my detailed mswl in my query form--some helpful info there too for writers. Deepest admiration to all you #writers who help us cope with the world today through helping readers escape or understand the crazy world we live in! 💪📚🙌
querytracker.net/query/1731

I also like commercial mysteries and women's fiction if they have a super funny voice. #MSWL

I'm drawn to books that are psychological, whether that means a psychological thriller, a novel with a really strong character, or a narrative nonfiction psychology book. #MSWL

#MSWL
If you think we could be a match—Query Me!
My link is in my pinned post.
You don’t need my permission to query me, so no need to pitch me your project in my mentions ❤️
Don’t self reject!
Take your shot!

5/ ROMANCE: The right balance of emotion/comedy. Friends or enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, second chances. Atmospheric settings. Lovable side characters and a fresh take on archetypal love stories. Open to speculative/paranormal romance with a touch of magic. No toxic romance tropes.

My cookbook #MSWL :

Good food photography is a must. I want practical recipes that can be done well by an average home cook, but looks *almost* to beautiful to eat. Hyper-specific/ingredient-focused cookbooks will also get my attention

Mostly, I'm looking for upmarket and literary fiction in a lot of categories, including mysteries, speculative, historical and horror. If you blend some of these genres together--amazing! I also like upmarket and literary fiction that doesn't fall into a genre category. #MSWL

More and more, I'd love to find projects you could describe as a "romp" 😄 Bring on the adventurous plots and the fun! #MSWL

4/ HISTORICAL: underrepresented identities & unconventional heroines. Dual timelines, family secrets, lost histories. The setting should feel immersive. I'd love to see a nomadic set of characters—travel by train/ship/on foot. I'd love a Harlem Renaissance novel, or the next "Lessons in Chemistry."

My non-fiction #MSWL includes:
- Niche history
- Pop Culture
- Sports (esp. football or soccer related)

This year, I would especially love to find a grounded fantasy that comps to EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES, which has been my favorite series of the past couple years.

Hooky grounded magic, delectable characters and a romance to die for, cozy vibes that escalate into high stakes! #MSWL

Hellllloooo #MSWL Day! You can check out my MSWL profile here:
www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/annie-bomke/

Here goes an adult fiction #MSWL :
- Book Club/Upmarket fiction with elevated prose
- Literary Fiction with a commercial hook

Bonus Points:
- Smart social commentary
- Humor
- Elements of genre fiction
- Southern US or Italian settings

I'm very open to seeing a wide range of projects within the categories I'm seeking, but I'm going to have a bit of fun today posting some specifics that I'd especially love to find in my inbox!

3/ THRILLERS: transportive and escapist, with psychological depth. Vacations/retreats gone wrong, atmospheric settings (Southern, coastal, rural), carefully plotted misdirections. Think "The Guest List," "The White Lotus," "The Plot." High-quality writing at the line level is a must.

You can find out more about me, my clients, and what I'm looking for at my website. I'm also active on Instagram!
michaelawhatnall.com

I have not been the best at being active over here so far, but I'm using #MSWL Day to remedy that!

I'm a literary agent at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret representing picture books, middle grade, YA, and adult fiction, and select nonfiction and graphic novels.
www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/michaela-whatnall/

Picture Book Author/Illustrators who create distinctive, memorable characters and worlds. Story forward, funny, read aloud on repeat. Please don’t sub if you are not an illustrator as well as a writer. Post link in profile #MSWL #KidLit