If you're looking for more clarity on what I enjoy and appreciate in a dark academia manuscript, here are some books I've enjoyed from the genre!

In dark academia manuscripts, I look for atmospheric imagery and genre-blending elements in contemporary, gothic, historical, paranormal, or romantic subgenres. I also love when dark academia veers into magical libraries/museums, secret societies/cults, & mysterious friend groups!

Update: I'm closing to queries until 9/2026 to focus on current clients and my summer convention schedule. I will only be taking queries via my conference URL and by personal invitation until then.
When I have capacity for more clients, I'll reopen to consider more clients! #mswl #booksky #agentsky

"I'm drawn to big, messy feelings and characters screwing up over and over before succeeding."
alexandragrana.bsky.social #MSWL

#mswl

"Send me dark retellings of fairy tales and classic stories, with similar sensibilities to THE BLOODY CHAMBER by Angela Carter or WICKED by Gregory Maguire."
mariavicente.com #MSWL

"I want unlikely friendship novels with heavy plot and a feel-good ending."
Carly Watters #MSWL

Hi querying authors!!! I’m a new literary agent at D4EO Literary Agency! I’ll be opening queries soon, so excited to get going and what all of you have to offer. In the meantime, please feel free to read my #mswl 💕

#writingcommunity #querying #querying suthors

"I want crime fiction like Louise Penny, Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich."
curtisrussell.bsky.social #MSWL

"Send me history, business, politics, current affairs, memoir."
curtisrussell.bsky.social #MSWL

"Send me nonfiction by BIPOC food writers."
Carly Watters #MSWL

If you want more insight into my taste (or are simply looking for a book recommendation), here are some fantasy books I’ve thoroughly enjoyed!

I’m also especially attracted to a few niche elements in a fantasy manuscript, such as necromancy, heists, and villain-turned-ally arcs.

Fantasy is easily one of my top three genres to work with, and these are the subgenres I'm most drawn to. I’m always looking for female protagonists, ensemble casts, morally gray characters, high stakes, & unique/well-thought-out world-building & magic systems.

"Send me Gothic fiction with possibly a modern storyline, too (like MEXICAN GOTHIC and THE LITTLE STRANGER)."
Carly Watters #MSWL

Shari Lapena is a master of mystery/crime fiction... but I'd also love to find someone writing in this style to add to my client list! #MSWL

If you have a sapphic ship like Vivi x Nami, I want it when I reopen #MSWL

If you're looking for more clarity on what I enjoy and look for in a romance manuscript, here are some books I've enjoyed from the genre!

Anti mswl

I’m always a sucker for a good romance novel, so here are some things I look for in a romance manuscript. I especially love romance manuscripts with a contemporary, cozy, fantasy, gothic, historical, paranormal, sports, or romcom subgenre.