Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

(GNs) 🌟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
▫️Think: Dog Man, InvestiGators #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

That's the stuff that never changes! And here are the specifics about what I'm particularly looking for right now.

IN GRAPHIC NOVELS
🌟Young adult contemp romance w/ substance, especially centering characters w/ marginalized identities
▫️Think: Heartstopper, Pumpkinheads #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

🌟Nuanced stories about rebellion against unjust systems, building solidarity and mutual support, or imagining a world better than our own #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

🌟Sharp & original humor that shows a deep understanding of its readers—whether goofy, over-the-top humor for middle graders or well-observed sarcasm for teens
🌟Books that slide adeptly between humor & poignancy, that make me laugh on one page & cry on the next #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

▪️Unique family structures depicted in a positive light—found families, guardians other than parents, multigenerational households, & loving & supportive separated families
#MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

▪️Queer/LGBTQ+ protags—esp. trans, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, intersex, queer, & bi chars
▪️All BIPOC protagonists, but especially Black American, Indigenous, & Latinx protags
(cont.) #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

🌟Authentic, own-voices rep of characters w/ marginalized & intersectional identities in stories of adventure, romance, friendship, joy, & personal growth. Especially but not exclusively:
▪️Protags w/ disabilities &/or neurodivergences
(cont.) #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

In ALL formats, I'm excited by:
🌟Original, unforgettable characters w/ potential to become beloved household names
🌟Expansive, unique, cinematic worlds—whether imagined or a part of the real world that’s underrepresented and/or feels fresh through the creator’s eyes #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

And as an outspoken advocate for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in media, I am particularly keen to invest in the work of writers and illustrators who have historically been marginalized in American media. #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

BROADLY, I'm looking for big bets w/ high-concept commercial hooks, expert plotting & pacing, & the potential to become leads. My taste skews toward upmarket voices & art paired with a strong sales hook that can be summed up in an intriguing line or two. #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

New year, new #MSWL! And my big 2022 news is that, in addition to being @DisneyBooks's resident graphic novel expert (send me all your future comics bestsellers!), I am opening to YA and MG novel submissions for the first time in ~5 years.

Here's what I'm looking for (thread)

Amber Oliver
@Amber_Oliver007
Editor
senior editor @BloomsburyPub . Bronx bred. Writer. Rep: Rachel Kim @3artsent . Thoughts=my own. She/her. IG: bamtastic07
32 MSWL

Bipoc, neurodiverse, and queer folk are always my main priority

Amber Oliver
@Amber_Oliver007
Editor
senior editor @BloomsburyPub . Bronx bred. Writer. Rep: Rachel Kim @3artsent . Thoughts=my own. She/her. IG: bamtastic07
32 MSWL

Kinda vague, but I always want smart, original, voicey, atmospheric fiction about art, music, fashion, dance, that brings in contemporary issues

Amber Oliver
@Amber_Oliver007
Editor
senior editor @BloomsburyPub . Bronx bred. Writer. Rep: Rachel Kim @3artsent . Thoughts=my own. She/her. IG: bamtastic07
32 MSWL

Also in the mood for slick stories set in big cities with characters on the precipice of change, preferably set in the 2000s cuz ya girl is feeling nostalgic.

Amber Oliver
@Amber_Oliver007
Editor
senior editor @BloomsburyPub . Bronx bred. Writer. Rep: Rachel Kim @3artsent . Thoughts=my own. She/her. IG: bamtastic07
32 MSWL

Speaking of wishlists, I am also looking for more family stories, sibling stories, stories about inheritance and legacies (but it has to have a contemporary component)

Amber Oliver
@Amber_Oliver007
Editor
senior editor @BloomsburyPub . Bronx bred. Writer. Rep: Rachel Kim @3artsent . Thoughts=my own. She/her. IG: bamtastic07
32 MSWL

Gentefied was canceled, which makes me sad. But now I want to read a book that has the same spirit. #MSWL

Rachel Stark
@syntactics
Editor
Editor of graphic novels, novels & IP @DisneyBooks ▫️ House Stark; more of an Arya than a Tony ▫️ Opinions my own; pic @JarrettWilliams 's ▫️ gender’s a lie🤷‍♀️
147 MSWL
6 Tips

New year, new #MSWL! I’ll be sharing the latest on what I’m looking for, including some BIG changes, tomorrow 👀 Stay tuned!

Alex Arnold
@alexyarnold
Editor
Senior Editor of fiction & nonfiction for small kids, big kids, & teens @quirkbooks . Former child who hasn't forgotten a thing.
46 MSWL

Agents, if you sent something before my leave that fits the above, please do send me a nudge. I'm working on a new system to stay more on top of subs & replies may be more brief but I'm trying for faster response times. Looking forward to connecting on some fabulous projects!

Alex Arnold
@alexyarnold
Editor
Senior Editor of fiction & nonfiction for small kids, big kids, & teens @quirkbooks . Former child who hasn't forgotten a thing.
46 MSWL

Across all genres and formats, I hope you’ll think of me when the setting is practically a character in its own right, characters are flawed but trying, themes involve grieving while living and/or found families, & the voice is particularly voicey

Alex Arnold
@alexyarnold
Editor
Senior Editor of fiction & nonfiction for small kids, big kids, & teens @quirkbooks . Former child who hasn't forgotten a thing.
46 MSWL

In picture books and board books, I’m looking for concept-driven, funny, sweet, and joyful read alouds that you’d immediately identify as a perfect baby shower or new baby gift