Update: there are so, so many white men in my query inbox. Going to take a look of course, but putting out a #mswl call now for women writers and particularly POC!

106 years since the Titanic sank. As a kid I was OBSESSED with the Titanic. Checked out every book my library had on it at least 3x, and I wanted to be an oceanographer so I could study it.

Well, that didn't happen, but does anyone out there have a Titanic YA novel for me? #MSWL

Thread by the wonderful& articulate @TracyMarchini who puts into words what frustrates us often.
Also, this highlights WHY I ask for what I do on my #MSWL : Women characters in major decision-making positions; male characters comfortable w/that, as role models for kids.

“Middle Grade based on myths and traditions from various cultures.” @msmariavicente #MSWL mariavicente.com/representation/

#MSWL Kids deserve female role models who take charge and male role models who are comfortable with that.
#kidlit

Watching @UnRealLifetime with @BeautyBritches and thinking about how bad I want to read a book like this.

Like The Last One (goodreads.com/book/show/2724…), but maybe YA. #mswl

#MSWL Reverse the courting in a prince/princess story. Make HER show HIM the world, and make HIM get all prettied up for her! Give the innocence to the prince, and the expertise to the princess. Let his naivety be his appeal, and her worldliness be hers. #kidlit

Lastly, while I've detailed things I'm particularly keen to see, like pet cozies, that doesn't mean I won't love your cozy hook that has nothing to do with animals. Maybe you have a fun unique hook I haven't thought of that's not overdone. Query it! #MSWL QueryMe.Online/RachelBrooks

The bookshelves need more cozy authors of color. If you're a cozy mystery AOC I'd love to hear from you. Query form--> QueryMe.Online/RachelBrooks #MSWL

I love a cozy with humor or snark. Cozies, despite the murder and criminals, are not dark, and I want to feel like I can follow this fun sleuth and their voice for many books to come. #MSWL

I want cozies set in the same small small town for the whole series, not ones that travel or move. A big part of cozies is the cast of quirky small town secondary characters (think the Log Lady in Twin Peaks), and I want to see them in each book. #MSWL

I want red herrings in cozies as I attempt to figure out whodunnit, BUT once it's revealed who I need to be able to think back & realize clues were pointing me there. Not satisfying as a reader to have it be someone we never met/barely interacted/never would have suspected. #MSWL

Strong cozy hook examples with sleuth's job tied to hook --> she runs the pet hotel in Krista Davis’s Paws & Claws series, the library cat bookmobile in Laurie Cass’s Bookmobile series, and the cranberry farm/store in Peg Cochran’s Cranberry Cove series. #MSWL

In cozies I'm looking for strong series hook (look at Ellery Adams, Julia Buckley, Laura Bradford, etc.) The protagonist-turned-sleuth has to be tied to the hook with their unique and fun job #MSWL

I love cozy pun titles + grabs my attention immediately & clues me into the series hook (if you don't have fun title it's not a deal breaker- can be brainstormed later). Ex: Berry the Hatchet by Peg Cochran, Breach of Crust by Ellery Adams, Murder Most Howl by Krista Davis #MSWL

In cozy mysteries, I want to see recent crimes not cold cases. I also want a protagonist-turned sleuth who is active vs. passive. Should be eager to find clues, solve the case, rather than just reacting to things around them. #MSWL

While I'm a cat lady & love to see cozy mysteries with sleuths w/ cats, or even better a cat-centered series hook (unique pet-themed businesses like a pet treat bakery, etc) I'm not anti-dog. Cats just win gold, dogs silver. Send me your cute furry friend-themed cozies #MSWL

I would love to see cozy mysteries set in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. Like a fictionalized version of Port Townsend, Friday Harbor, etc. #MSWL

Incoming thread about my #MSWL when it comes to cozy mysteries, and what I see working when I read published cozies. My @bookendslit query form--> QueryMe.Online/RachelBrooks

"Action-packed sci-fi with powerful characters & motivations. Bonus: A big sprawling world." @kurestinarmada #MSWL psliterary.com/submissions/