And to my author soulmates who I've yet to connect with: I'm looking for youuu 👀💭📚

Lastly and most of all, thank you to any writers who have trusted me with their work. Reviewing your queries and manuscripts is a true pleasure. If we're not a match, don't be discouraged—keep submitting!

I'm currently caught up on all submissions and full requests, so if you haven't queried myself or Root Literary in the recent past and feel your work might be a match for me, fire away! 💌

Please visit @RootLiterary's website for submission guidelines: rootliterary.com/submissions

As mentioned above, I do also rep nonfiction and YA. Check out my complete MSWL here for more details on those categories publishersmarketplace.com/members/alyssa…, or visit my website alyssamaltese.com for more info.

I'm also very eager to support books about marginalized characters, by marginalized creators. BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodiversity, and disability representation is more than welcome here!

I'd love to see stories targeted for a new adult audience. (Search Party is a favorite that comes to mind here, and is the perfect example of an intersection of so many of my interests.)

When it comes to horror, I like to be SCARED—I'm talking afraid-to-turn-off-the-lights-at-night scared. (Think Hereditary, Midsommar, The Witch, and, once again, Jordan Peele.)

Generally speaking, I'm drawn to social commentary (Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid; Pigs by Johanna Stoberock; Jordan Peele films), and I'm also not opposed to humorous horror (The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix; Suburban Hell by Maureen Kilmer).

Propulsive pacing is a must (see: Hide by Kiersten White), and twists that really surprise me are a bonus (The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins is a staple).

I'm also drawn to female-centric concepts, like motherhood and the gender divide—think The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan, Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder, The Husbands by Chandler Baker.

I love freaky technology-related sci-fi elements (Severance is my favorite show I've watched in recent years), though I like my fiction grounded.

Make it just real enough to seem possible, and you've got me on the hook.

I'm eagerly seeking commercial thrillers, horror, and domestic suspense, as well as upmarket speculative fiction.

In all of these genres, I'm looking for high concept stories with something new to say.

Right now, I'm particularly hungry for adult fiction, so that's what I'll be focusing on in this thread.

Time for an updated #MSWL thread! 🧵

I’m a literary agent at @RootLiterary seeking adult fiction, young adult fiction, and adult nonfiction.

#WritingCommmunity #amquerying #amwriting #amagenting

"For fiction and nonfiction: I fall in love with stellar writing on the level of the line, voice, and rhythm."
@ceciliaclyra #MSWL

psliterary.com/submissions

And, I am very much still actively building my adult nonfiction list! Looking for books with platform backed by experience/professionals in self help, business (women in business!), parenting, psychology, pop science, and mind/body/spirit

PB:
funny picture books by queer, BIPOC, marginalized authors that have nothing to do with identity. Give me the next CREEPY UNDERWEAR or DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS or PENGUIN PROBLEMS or LLAMA DESTROYS THE UNIVERSE

illustrators and author-illustrators

MG:
funny, heartfelt action-adventure featuring queer, BIPOC, marginalized voices, ideally with some magic or fantastical elements

YA: rom coms with a fresh, very commercial hook featuring queer, BIPOC, marginalized voices

dark, gothic, atmospheric horror

The MUMMY for teens

Send me adult + #YA literary thrillers and horror. I am a suspense junkie, who loves to be scared, and I can go very, very dark--except please no violence against children or rape. But blood and gore are fine.

As are creepy dolls and bad romance (but maybe not together?).

4/?