Some books I read and loved (and wish I represented) last year:

Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Jamie by L D Lapinski
Onyeka by Tola Okogwu
Kitty Quest by Phil Corbett
Loki by Louie Stowell
Heartstopper by Alice Osman
The Inheritance Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I'll always prioritise authors from backgrounds that are underrepresented in publishing - and you don't need to be writing an 'issues' book for me to want to centre your characters and your story. Every kid deserves to see themselves in every type of book.

I'm a sucker for beautiful writing but for me, it needs to accompany an active, exciting story. I'm not the best fit for very introspective or quiet books, even if I love them as a reader.

I love properly commercial books, and when I read submissions I try to picture the kid reader rather than the adult editor. I've got lots of time for slapstick and silliness - particularly if there's a sly cleverness underneath.

Buzzing to be back in the office today with a blank notebook and plenty of plans. 2022 was a great year for #TeamDA and I want to find a couple of stars to make 2023 even better! My #MSWL is in my pinned tweet, but here's some less specific stuff to give a sense of my tastes...

I always want your NPCs and your side quests! I live for themmm! #MSWL

For example:

EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER
GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN
THE DAUGHTER OF DOCTOR MOREAU
PORTRAIT OF A THIEF
GRACELING
GHOST WOOD SONG
THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD
ILLUMINAE
A PHO LOVE STORY
PET
KING AND THE DRAGONFLIES

#MSWL

Surprise me! Bring me twists and new tropes and unique takes on classic stories. Play with structure, whether it's verse or epistolary or a story in documents. Tell me something new about the world. #MSWL

Bring me strong character relationships and lush world-building. I want adventure and multi-level plots and tension that keeps me on the edge of my seat. Leave me wishing I was still wrapped up in the pages when I’m finished! #MSWL

I need some escapism this year, and I found a lot of it in romance, fantasy, and intriguing horror novels in 2022. I’d love to see more of that in my inbox! #MSWL

I always ask for big emotions in MSs, and right now, I especially want joy. You can make it serious, but I want moments of levity too. Bring me laugh-out-loud humor, swoonworthy romance, delightful friendships, and lots of wonder. #MSWL

… deep MG with a strong message; sweeping YA fantasy; women’s fiction with characters I’d kill for; banter-filled contemporary romance; and meaningful and well-written nonfiction for any age. They’ll fill in some gaps on my list! #MSWL

Happy 2023! I can’t wait to dive back into queries now that the CMA inbox has officially reopened!

Everything on my MSWL, the CMA website, and my old tweets still stand. But as a quick update, this year I’m especially looking for… #MSWL

#MSWL something like the Goonies for the YA market. (Yes, I am watching it as we speak).

Happy New Year! As some of you noticed, I've reopened to queries. Here's a collection of all of my former #MSWL Tweets. Still actively looking for these! mswishlist.com/agent/SWekstein

New year, new website! You can find all the info on agenting things, a detailed #MSWL, etc. at ismitahussain.com. #amquerying folks, check out that Manuscript Wishlist page :)

#mswl I would like books set in snowy places. Give me your Alaskan and Siberian landscapes. Set books in Canada. And give me the Arctic and Antarctic. Please!!!!

Want to see what I'm really excited to find in my 2023 inbox? My new #MSWL is live! Don't forget...I won't be open to submissions until January 9th🔥

manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/amy-…

I am especially keen to find YA mysteries & love stories, anything with an unreliable narrator & voicey MG characters who know their own minds! 🤗 I love historical & also contemporary adventures with a twist! Glorious writing is top of my wishlist - ALWAYS! #MSWL

Tomorrow i will do an #MSWL ahead of reopening to queries.

Upfront, i am going to be only looking for YAs for a while since my list needs are specific at the moment.