Emilia Rhodes

On the speculative side of YA, give me a world or a circumstance I’ve never seen before. I love high-stakes, plot-driven fantasy and sci-fi, where the world enhances the story more than is the focus.

I’d love to find thoughtful and fresh YA thrillers, books that go beyond the mystery to question the character’s views or the status quo. Think Tiffany Jackson, Kara Thomas, Courtney Summers, or the show Cruel Summer.

In YA, I’m always looking for a great contemporary voice that makes the everyday heartbreaks, secrets, and revelations feel epic. Remind me why being a teenager is hard but in so many ways the most true versions of ourselves.

For graphic novels both MG and YA, give me your messy, flawed, embarrassing, relatable coming-of-age. Think Roller Girl, Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, Invisible Emmie, El Deafo, Stargazing, Check Please.

It’s that time of year when fall submissions start flying, so here’s a little #MSWL thread! Big picture, I’m acquiring MG and YA novels and graphic novels in all genres and am always looking for more underrepresented voices in all categories.

Agents, I'm in the mood for some epic YA contemporary in my submission inbox! That moment that changed everything, that person that shifted the way you see the world, that secret you kept, or that summer you'll never forget. #MSWL

And last one for now, YA love stories! Funny or heart-breaking or anything in-between. I'm on the rom com bandwagon after To All the Boys and Crazy Rich Asians just like everyone else and always love a heart-tugging romance, too. #MSWL

YA thrillers that feel surprising and new. I'm a murderino at heart and am currently loving Sadie by Courtney Summers. Also would really love to see thrillers written by POC writers and other writers from marginalized backgrounds. I know they're out there! #MSWL

A little fall submission #MSWL! At the top of my list is YA contemporary realistic that is emotional and layered and classic coming-of-age. This summer I loved Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian and We Are Okay by Nina LaCour. Two different books that really got it.

Also, I'd love to see more stories like this in YA. #MSWL

In YA and MG, very much looking for more diversity and especially #ownvoices. We want to see your stories and share them. #MSWL

In YA, contemporary realistic with a voice that nails emotion, subtlety, and has a specificity to it. A book only that author could do #MSWL

YA realistic fiction that feels true-to-life. Realistic friends and esp. realistic romance. Simon Vs. Homosapiens Agenda, for ex. #MSWL

Shonda Rhimes-esque YA--high-stakes, dramatic, addictive storytelling. #MSWL