But speaking of those select YA titles,
emilyshapiro24.bsky.social my colleague in Labyrinth Road also acquires both MG and YA for our list and is definitely excited to find a great YA for us. 😉

Either way just to remind everyone that my #mswl (and the Labyrinth Road list overall) includes YA but really focuses on MG series that blend internal and external, epic stakes and feature Big Feelings & soapy relationships of friendships, family, and yes crushes!

I’m curious to hear from others about MG submissions. Labyrinth Road focuses on MG, with select YA titles. Lately most submissions I get have been YA. Are people feeling afraid to write or sub MG because of all the market challenges? I believe there will always be space for great MG novels & series!

Maybe because these times are so horrifying but for YA, I’m really craving an atmospheric, layered horror mystery with the beautiful and lush but creepy vibes of Midsommar or The Honeys, even better if it’s romantic & queer #mswl

Would love to get a manuscript in my inbox reminiscent of Frieren, with that perfect mix of love, loss, and a fantasy adventure quest. #mswl

Fantasy romcom like Assistant to the Villain (loved that book!) #mswl

Cozy Smalltown college romance #MSWL

an F1 Romance with Ali Hazelwood/Hannah Grace vibes #mswl

*historical romantasy but #mswl

Some specific #MSWL cravings I’ve had these days for my YA list:

-high-concept post apocalyptic
-a romantic gothic/horror mystery
-beautiful, voicey trans/genderqueer anything
-yearning/longing vibes
-enemies/rivals to lovers
-twisted romance
-dark academia in a non-European setting

I haven’t listed a lot of my favourite recent books here but agents if you want to chat more specifics, as this list is non-exhaustive, then get in touch

On horror romance specifically, it can be tragic, no HEA necessary but for all other forms I need an HEA. For sci-fi: I want Event Horizon, political intrigue and first contact (but in the way Arrival did it)

For romantasy: no more high fae, I have a full list! Give me more dramoine, Lumoine (iykyk), monster romance, angels (biblically accurate or otherwise), ghosts, paranormal Y2K vibes. Still I plead for orc romance, please someone send me some.

For cosy fantasy I want something that reminds me of Everdell or Redwall for adults, dragons (but like how Robin Hobb does them, aka perfectly), anything that has a D&D flair or has a monk/cleric/paladin/nun as a central character, magic tea shops and cute robots and I want to cry happy tears

Monsters, historical, trans and POC horror, horror romance, space survival. Onto fantasy: give me epic, political, sweeping and expansive. Murder mysteries at court, backstabbing gentry, fantasy of manners…

Horror! Proper, stop me from sleeping horror! Not for the general fic reader! I want aquatic, cults, folk, haunted house, urban legends, creepypastas, backrooms, religious sects, ‘is this still consecrated ground’ vibes, eldritch, cosmic, isolation, ‘good for her’, found footage,

Okay agents, I’m back from sabbatical so here’s a few things I’m particularly on the hunt for this year! #MSWL

If you're repping a epic fantasy/secondary world fantasy with either zero romance or a B-plot romance, could you send it my way PLEASE? #mswl

Would love to see more cozy mysteries! Whether it’s a traditional one a la Amanda Flower or something a bit more in the vein of DIAL A FOR AUNTIES.
I love bookish or cooking premises, something that is lightly paranormal (think witches or a friendly ghost.) and an animal companion!

#mswl

I need someone to please write me a YuGiOh-inspired YA or NA novel 🙂‍↕️ #mswl