That voice that drips off the page. I like going through the journey with a narrator that takes me places and grips me until the very end. If the book has solidly crafter characters and voice, I’ll join along for the ride.

Moving on to genres: #MSWL

The overarching things that connect everything I look for are characters and voice. I love delving deep into characters, how they change and feel, how their relationships are and evolve. I love the emotional resonance of this; I love feeling things as I read. I also love #MSWL

Happy 2022! May this year bring us more wonderful things and rest. Time to update my #MSWL, but first:

- I’m always looking for stories by and about diverse voices

- Please don’t pitch me on twitter

- Agented submissions only

Let’s roll!

HUGE on my 2022 #MSWL!!!!!

* Stories that start with a character waking up – I say this over and over, but I still see it ALL the time. I promise you there is a better dropping in point for your story, just consider giving it a try. ❤️
...

* Have I mentioned I don’t want misogynistic stories? Because I really DO NOT want them!
* If your story deals with suicide, make sure you are using the proper language
...

* Books set in the 80s-90s unless there is a historical significance that anchors the book in these years. If you can pick up the plot and set it modern day, then likely you should
* Books with overtly religious themes
...

* Stories about men stalking and murdering women—unless a woman uses this knowledge to turn the tables and stalks and murders the men
* Fatphobic stories
* Stories where a marginalized character has to teach another character how not to be bigot
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* Stories where women are the props to a man’s journey—or where women have to do the emotional labor for men so they can become better people
* Stories where there isn’t one woman mentioned in the entire synopsis
...

On the opposite end of the spectrum let’s talk about things I DON’T want:
* Stories that depict animal cruelty—If the dog dies, I don’t want it
* On page rape
* Excessive gaslighting
* Stories about misogynistic guys—I don’t care if he changes in the end, it’s not for me
...

* Stories that highlight the complexity of families—Give me big messy families
* Stories that feel like a warm hug
* Stories about hope
* Fiercely feminist
* Unexpected twists
* Character Driven
* Compelling hooks
* Edge of my seat stories
* Authentic stories
...

* Stories with trans characters—that do NOT have to center around their inviting others into their world (coming out) but I’m open to those stories too. This goes with all LGBTQIA+ stories
* Stories with non-binary characters
* Stories that subvert toxic masculinity
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* Flawed yet loveable characters
* Morally questionable women—We have characters like Joe and Dexter who people love, we should get to have female characters like this too
* Stories that make me laugh AND cry
* Unusual settings
* LGBTQIA+
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* Historicals focused on women doing amazing things—Or the women who should be credited for amazing things that are unknown
* Burning down the patriarchy
* Stories that pass the Bechdel test (this is more of a requirement than a wish list item)
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* Positive female friendships—Give me girls supporting girls. Girls teaming up for the greater good. Girls who love their friends with their whole hearts.
* Underrepresented voices
* Fresh takes on fantasy
* Stories with a speculative twist
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Happy New Year! To start things off I thought it might be a good idea to share some things I’m looking for. So buckle up my #MSWL is coming (a thread) … *Note I rep MG, YA, & Adult fiction and these items pretty much span that range.
Here we go...

Really enjoyed #DontLookUp and would love to see more #YA and #MG submissions with creative plots that can bring attention to the climate crisis. Books can be so powerful. This is just one of many personal and professional goals for #2022 on my #MSWL ! 🤞💚🌲

#MSWL

Since I'm preparing a new #MSWL thread for 2022 I thought I'd ask: writers, what helpful information would you like agents to include in their wish-lists? Anything that you'd rather NOT be included? #WritingCommunity

Big changes in 2022. Along with my writing (under pen name), I'm now an agent with @blueridgeagency #MSWL blueridgeagency.com/LeslieTruex.ht…