Rachel Stark

That wishlist is riiiiiiight heeeere, agents—just saying!
rachelstark7.wixsite.com/home/general-1

((And @soontornvat , Last Mapmaker had already been the next thing on my list, but if it hadn’t been You Are Here would have made it so.)) 2b/2

And #YouAreHereConnectingFlights , edited by @ElloEllenOh With stories from @LindaSuePark @pacylin @tracichee @MeredithIreland @Mike_Jung @bottomshelfbks @randyribay @soontornvat @SusanSMTan , Mike Chu, and Erin Entrada Kelly

(2/2)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61284032

Read not one, but TWO middle grades this weekend that are so good they’re immediately going on my #mswl as examples of what I want:

The #LastMapmaker by
@soontornvat
(1/2)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58308834

Happy September Eve, agents!

I'm headed into the fall within spitting distance of submissions inbox 0, and I can't wait for you to hit me with your newest and greatest!

Here's what I'm looking for: rachelstark7.wixsite.com/home/general-1

#mswl #mswishlist

Agents, authors, I've been updating my website recently to reflect my role at @DisneyBooks —including by adding an #mswl page! Head on over to check it out: rachelstark7.wixsite.com/home/general-1

(Sadly due to legal blah-blah, I really, *really* can't look at un-agented/unsolicited pitches)

Speculative fiction that explores the horror of being oppressed and allows marginalized people to reclaim power by any means necessary and without apology is a perennial #mswl item for me, and @lmpnk and @codiecrowley were really like “we got u”

Sort of sucks that I have the day this every time I share an #MSWL, but writers, I am not allowed to read your unsolicited query! It will be deleted unread. A Twitter thread is not a request and no, you’re not going to fool me by saying it is.

I ALSO can't wait to announce a ton of projects I've been working on very secretly for years! Keep an eye on @PWKidsBookshelf and @PublishersLunch this year to see what's been grabbing my attention—and add them all to your TBR because I have great taste imho.

Alas, I can't accept unagented submissions unless I've invited you to submit at a convention or conference, so nab an agent first, and then have them share your awesome work with me! I can't wait to see all the treasures about to land in my inbox. #MSWL

⭐️And across the board, energetic, expressive, inventive, accessible, and commercial art (ideally full-color for middle grade, at least two-color for everything)

⭐️Contemp stories with a creative, fresh link to holidays or seasonal moments, especially holidays other than Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween, and particularly holidays celebrated in the author’s culture

⭐️Middle grade humor with a big heart—I’d particularly like to explore careers outside of policing that nonetheless lend themselves to multiple adventures over the course of a series

⭐️YA contemp romance with substance, especially centering characters with marginalized identities (think Heartstopper, Pumpkinheads)

I'm pulling back a bit on graphic novels this year, but still open to GNs for 8-12-year-olds and teens. I can't accept author-only submissions at this time (but will consider agency-driven pairings!), GNs under 160 pages, or black and white middle grade. I'm hoping to see:

⭐️Upmarket contemporary romance with substance, centering characters of traditionally marginalized identities (think Furia, Felix Ever After)

⭐️High-stakes competition with a subversive bent and meaningful consequences for the characters (What's the next Squid Game? Must be just as political, need not be just as gory.)
⭐️Epic romance embedded within a larger story (a la Raybearer)

⭐️Thrillers, psychological horror, supernatural, mystery, and speculative fiction that radically represents and explores queer, female, and BIPOC rage, revenge, and reclamation of power (think Elatsoe, Iron Widow, Sadie)

⭐️High-concept fantasy & contemporary fantasy that uses the conventions of its genre to critique, subvert, or illuminate a truth about our world (PLEASE send me the next Raybearer, Graceling, Witch King)
⭐️Fantasy/contemporary fantasy set in non-European-inspired settings

I also acquire young adult fiction (12+ or 14+) and the occasional crossover book that still suits YA. I'd love to see:
⭐️Comedic writing paired with a sticky concept that can be summed up in a single sentence (a la Me & Earl, Gentleman's Guide)