I would love to see more suspense stories where I DO NOT see the twists coming #MSWL

I really want things that break the mold in fun and interesting ways. #MSWL

Very specific here but I recently lost a wonderful desi witches book and so I NEED one in my life #MSWL

Intersectional stories that explore themes/ideas that we see in our daily lives—even better if humor can be used to help propel these things and make them feel less didactic #MSWL

Strong hooks! Make me NEED to read your book. #MSWL

I am personally tired of the Mean Girls thing. Girls need to see that is not only okay but it’s awesome to support each other. So I want strong girlsfriend groups and less girl on girl hate in MSs #MSWL (see Seton Girls to understand girlsfriend reference here ❤️)

I love enemies to lovers but the LI can’t just be a total asshole. They need to be someone who has redeeming qualities that we want to root for. #MSWL

“High concept and modern middle grade chapter book series, like Mindy Kim by Lyla Lee and Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton.“ @agentvicente  #MSWL mariavicente.com/representation

Can anyone bottle ‘Better Things’ vibes in a YA novel? #mswl for when I open in May

My favorite comfort food romcom is Crazy Stupid Love, and I've been sick so I'm rewatching for the 110th time. If anyone captures the absolutely Shakespearean buffoonery of this film but in a novel (and queer probably) I want it very badly, send it to me, do it. #mswl

Oh! One important note - I am now using an email system for queries; instructions are on the Howland website. I may go back to QueryManager; if so I will update.

Lastly, & importantly, it still rings very true what I say on my website: "Send me your weirds!" I prefer weird books. Bring me your CATHERINE HOUSE energy, LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND energy, NOTHING TO SEE HERE energy, THE RIVERMAN energy. Send me your weirds.

Adult (& maybe YA?): Nature writing. I have been devouring nature books lately, especially those that blend science, culture, and spirituality, like ROOTED, BRAIDING SWEETGRASS, and FINDING THE MOTHER TREE.

Food books! All ages! Fiction or non! I've been working for Food & Wine mag for 6 years; I have a massive collection of weird old cookbooks; I am obsessed with culinary history & postwar cookery from an anthropological perspective, & I want to work on your food books.

& similarly, diverse Southern voices, always, for every audience/genre I represent. As an agent, I'd love to fill bookshelves about the breadth of the real South, not the stereotyped South.

A specific thing! MG, YA, or adult fiction by & about Cajuns. Would love to hear from the Acadian writers out there!

Adult & YA: Mysteries & thrillers that unfold in isolated settings - a bed & breakfast, ski lodge, cruise ship, cabin in the woods, boarding school, etc.

I am not interested in, say, a straight-up travel log or "finding myself" memoir, but I am interested in intersectionality in all of these spaces.

Adult: Narrative nonfiction/memoir about food, Southern culture, adventure, extreme sports, journeys, science/medicine, from perspectives we have not seen before/enough of & whose narratives tackle bigger-picture subjects alongside personal narratives.

Adult & YA: Lush literary fiction with a speculative twist or a healthy dose of fabulism/magic realism.