I’m also open to cozier romantasy, where magic is woven into every day things (knitting a magical scarf for a loved one, kitchen witchcraft to fight off a cold, etc.)

I grew up on Tamora Pierce, so if you have women fighting as knights, or an equivalent, I want to see it.

Romantasy is a bit of a new space, but I want stories that are steeped in folklore and mythology.
I’d like to see magical academies (Think THE MAGICIANS or FOURTH WING), pirates, intense and lush world building, and romance with high stakes.

For speculative fiction and magical realism, I love stories that deal with time in interesting ways (OONA OUT OF ORDER) but I also love Isabel Allende’s stories.
I’ve been saying I would love to see an adult version of Encanto.

For bookclub, I would love to see a novel about generational trauma through the eyes of an eldest or only daughter, who is now trying to overcome the issues her parents or grandparents placed upon her. Especially as we’re looking at matriarchal lineage.

For romcoms, give me a cozy town (think Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls), witty banter, and some chemistry, and I’m all over it. I’m fond of enemies to lovers, rivals to lovers, and grumpy/sunshine.

For cozy mysteries, I’m usually looking for a bookstore or tea shop setting, or other general cozy feels here. I like to see a well rounded community that feels every bit a part of the story as the protagonist.

For horror, I want to be scared. I gravitate towards social and psychological horror (think WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING or MEXICAN GOTHIC)
I also love folklore and mythology. I grew up around forests and mountain ranges, so something like THIS WRETCHED VALLEY is always on my radar.

For thrillers, I love complicated family dynamics, twisted female friendships, and tense mother daughter relationships.
I like dual POV or time periods- think THE SUNDOWN MOTEL. Big fan of Lucy Foley and Wendy Walker. Would love to see more locked room thrillers as well.

I should say I’m open to the Regency era as well!

For historicals, whether it’s a mystery or historical fiction, I want a feminist female protagonist. I usually gravitate towards Edwardian and Victorian eras. But I’m open to the 1920s-1950s.
I’d love to see body snatching or spiritualism like in SPITTING GOLD.

I acquire a few genres between our two imprints, but to break it down:

Crooked Lane:
thrillers, historical mysteries, cozy mysteries, and horror.

Alcove Press:
historical fiction, magical realism, speculative fiction, romcoms, bookclub fiction, and romantasy.

A 🧵 on my #mswl and what I’m hoping to see in the new year (or in the next two weeks since my inbox is still open 😂)

I just updated our current areas of special interest on Submittable: freespiritpublishing.submittable.com/submit/134906/free-spirit-submissions #mswl #kidlit 💕

Ok million dollar idea for whoever wants to write it: Phantom of the Opera meets Love Island—a murderous misanthrope haunts the set of a raunchy reality show. #mswl

I've updated my #MSWL ! It's gotten a bit smaller (due to my 2024 goals to focus on middle grade books).

Note: I accept unagented submissions until Jan. 14.
manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/samiha-hoque/

Sleep is important but...I stayed awake dreaming of a compulsively readable thriller about a famous woman's descent into madness, drawing heavily from Perfect Blue and Black Swan. Agents if you have it, send it. #MSWL

Please someone send me a grownup Veronica Mars. I'm talking that hard boiled-but-not, sassy detective with a heart of gold. A cast of secondary characters that capture your whole heart and a star-crossed romance with an HEA wouldn't hurt either. #MSWL

Normally I am not a sports romcom type of person, but as someone who used to fence, I would love to see a romcom centered around fencing #mswl 🤺

I am not a good fit for:
- Sorry no straight romcoms at this time
- Procedurals
- Misogyny
- Anything that leans too literary
- Stories centering around police officers or military
- Gore, body horror
- Erotica
- High Fantasy
- Space operas
- Childrens fiction (MG, YA, PB)
#MSWL

Agents if you think you have a project that would be a good fit for Graydon House’s list please do reach out.
#MSWL