I know everyone is saying this, but if I am manifesting anything in 2025 it is this: I want a big high concept book. #MSWL

4. A murder mystery with no murder! A murderless mystery! Must be fair play, must have that Christie/Sayers feeling. Especially interested if it's set largely on the internet, this land of false identities, faked deaths, and character assassinations. Comp: the premise of THE VERIFIERS, YELLOWFACE

More like this, too! #mswl

Hi all! It's #MSWL Day and I'm looking for more smart upmarket suspense like this!

3. I'm dying for a creepy/surreal reality TV book. I'm seeing a lot of cute/fun reality show books get picked up, but I want the bizarre, black mirror, reality is melting vibes. This is a case where I don't necessarily need an overt speculative element, because reality is surreal enough.

2. Butches. Butches!! Please. I'm less interested in toxic masculinity on women, so I'm especially looking for expressions of healthy masculinity. (This goes for all characters, but please send me butches.)

1. A fresh, theme-driven take on werewolves. If you're comping NIGHTBITCH or THE DEVOURERS, you have my attention. I would especially love a book that draws on the long historical records of werewolf beliefs, like an updated Old Thiess story

I want books that incorporate internet culture, fiction and nonfiction. #MSWL

If your book fits one of those categories, I encourage you to just query me! I respond to all queries, and I love finding gems in the inbox.

If you want a peek at what fun, smart, weird SFFH looks like to me, you can check out my announcements from last year.

Some specific asks for 2025...

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It's #MSWL day! I represent adult SF, fantasy, and horror; also open to mainstream fiction with genre elements, or a deeply surreal/speculative flavor. This year, I hope to expand into romance and mystery, esp. with speculative elements. I like books to be smart, fun, and weird.

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I'd love to see more retellings/reboots of movies, books, classics, etc. If you have a fresh take on a familiar story, send it my way. #MSWL

Stories where women go feral, whatever that means. Like Margaret Atwood's SURFACING or the TV show Dr. Foster. #MSWL

This in a novel. #MSWL
bbc.com/culture/article/20220512-the-people-who-danced-themselves-to-death

I’m not a fit for: sci-fi, grief stories, stories that personify death in some way, and pb that “teach a lesson.” Right now I am being very selective in contemporary YA and MG.

In #PB I’m on the lookout for funny, child-centered books with a clear narrative arc and amazing character who could possibly carry more than one story. I’m not looking for PB bios right now, but am open to NF that surprises, especially if it involves the natural sciences.

For #YA , I’m really on the lookout for a cozy fantasy, fantasy with immersive world building, dark academia, and would love a fresh take on vampires or the Eternal One trope.

For #MG , it’s all about the voice and high stakes adventure for me.

Thanks to manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social for organizing #MSWL day! I’m open from 1-7 of every month and here is what I’ll be looking for in March:

I rep PB-YA and gravitate towards projects that have a clear, commercial hook and a captivating voice. 🧵

#MSWL - I'm going to become an aunt this year! Would love to see stories that feature the special relationship between aunts/uncles and their nieces/nephews/niblings. #PB #kidlit #kidlit art

Even more #MSWL details are on my website. You can find submissions guidelines there, too!
mariavicente.com

And I'm still looking for a middle grade animal story to add to my list (I’ve been looking for over a decade…). Examples: Pax by Sara Pennypacker, Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel, A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry, Santa Paws by Nicholas Edwards. #MSWL