As some have noticed, Sci Fi isn’t on my list at the moment. I’ll still accept it on the off chance I might love it, but I haven’t read a SF manuscript that I’ve fallen in love with yet. However, Sci-Fi/Fantasy is still game if it’s more fantasy than sci fi. #mswl

This is kind of a recent one but I’d also love something like MY NAME. Ragtag outcast girls on motorcycles with bloody knuckles and revenge agendas set outside the US

For horror: Think Jordan Peele x Tim Burton x Lovecraft. Cosmic eldritch horror that dabbles in insanity and existentialism. Give me dark and skin crawling but without the gore

For adult fantasy I’d love something a-la BLACK SUN but without magic. Decolonial epic fantasy without magic with a dark atmospheric edge — the more psychological and twisted the better. Would love to see some fresh voices and mythology retellings on second worlds

For historical fiction — epic nonwestern period pieces inspired by heroines like Tomoe Gozen, Amanirenas, Razia Sultana, or traditional folklore from regions like the Amazigh tribes (would love a Onna Musha/Bugeisha inspired story)

Welp, I get to announce that I’ve been selected as agent of the month for October over at Writing & Illustrating

Check out the blog for part 1 of my interview — and there’s also a chance to pitch me your book so I’ll thread some #MSWL specifics here kathytemean.wordpress.com

#mswl haunted ghost ships!!!!

#mswl I would really like some old haunted mansions style ghost stories. Particularly thinking James Herbert or Cassandra Khaw's Nothing but Blackened Teeth. The Haunted Mansion bit is key though. I want atmosphere.

Feel free to email rather than wait for me to open to queries.

Also if anyone has anything that comps to Coco (MG, family, ghosts, cultural rep, etc.), I *want* it!!! #mswl

#mswl vampires but Dracula rather than Twilight.

Think old, gothic, terrifying, and I'd be happy with three hot vampire women in it as well.

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

psliterary.com/submissions/

I am STILL SEARCHING for my MG authors. I’m EXTREMELY selective in my MG acquisitions and with which MG voices I am drawn to. I don’t vibe well with younger MG and have a tendency to only like Upper MG manuscripts/books. Fantasy is my sweet spot here too. #mswl

What I do love to see in the YA Contemporary field are thrillers, hauntings that can toe the line of horror without going overboard, rom-coms, friendship break ups, and grandparent relationships. I especially love to see all this with BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ characters. #mswl

As always, I’m looking for YA Contemporary as well, though I am far more picky with my YA contemporary than anything else. I am NOT a good fit for anything with rape, trauma, suicide, etc.. I’ve lived enough of it, I really don’t want to see it in a book, too. Sorry! #mswl

In adult romancelandia though, I need a strong, hook-y voice, and am open to all heat levels (though my clients might say I err a bit on the cooler side of high-heat. No erotica here). #mswl

In addition to this, I’m packed on adult romance and rom-com writers right now, but will always be open for the select few that catch my eye. I specifically look for and ask for marginalized voices here from BIPOC. I also have a soft spot for K-dramas. #mswl

YES:
2. Anything with an industrial feel. I still haven’t quite gotten over my steampunk phase, and maybe never will.
3. Different forms of magic (bone magic, song magic, written magic, etc.)
4. Anything based in/on history (Vikings, court intrigue, creepy mythology, etc.) #mswl

Now, for things that I’m not particularly looking for, but that are undeniably just a ME thing in YA and Adult Fantasy:
1. Sisters/siblings who really don’t like each other. It’s okay when family has issues that can’t be resolved. I’m def here for this.
#mswl

NO:
5. Dragons. Never been one for them. Sorry.
6. Angels (though I’d definitely consider demons and demonic entities 😈)
7. Comedy. One liners and sarcasm: great. Trying to tow the line between manuscript and comedian: nope. Not for me. Give me darkness.
#mswl

NO:
1. Royalty MCs - super tired of princesses. If you’re going to do this, give me a damn Queen.
2. Fae/faeries/elves - they had their time. Now is not their time.
3. Vampires - never been a vampire person.
4. Elemental Magic that’s just earth, wind, fire, water, etc..
#mswl