Saying bismillah before sending a ballistic missile to your oppressor is kind of crazy
. . .
I need that vibe for Shaherazad Shelves’ newest imprint, Saladeen Books, which is open to all writers, agented or not. #MSWL

Gosh, one more #mswl note:

📖 I will happily consider books that were originally self-published or fanfiction
📖 I love webcomics and fan artists and dream of acquiring something that started on apps like Manta or Tappytoon or something original from a popular fandom artist

And for anyone curious on my editorial approach (& whether I might be the right editor for you):

✍️ I worked for Wattpad for 4+ years and heavily favour fast-paced commercial fiction
✍️ I am a copyeditor at heart; internal consistency is king
✍️ I prioritize authorial intent

For a sense of my #mswl acquisition taste (besides books on my own list):

📚These Deathless Shores by P.H. Low
📚The Prospects by KT Hoffman
📚Psyche & Eros by Luna McNamara
📚Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
📚Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
📚Fake Dates & Mooncakes by Sher Lee

And perhaps a helpful anti-mswl (aka what I am not the right editor for):

❌ young adult books (Random House Canada only publishes adult fiction and non-fiction)
❌ hard science fiction (I read it personally, but can’t acquire it)
❌ horror (I am easily scared)

Bonus points for my #mswl include:

⏳ time travel
🔥 dragons
💖 happy endings
📕 YA crossover potential
🪝 early hooks (chapter one, page one)
📣 voice/character-driven plots
🟢 accessible worldbuilding
🖌️ character art

I realized I haven’t updated my #mswl in a while, so here’s what I’m currently on the hunt for:

🗡️ BIPOC romantasy
💜 queer contemporary romance (drown me in tropes!)
🐉 myth retellings with a twist
🇨🇦 Canadian authors
🧭 Dan Brown-esque mystery/thrillers

and in light of this announcement, I've made a few updates & refreshes to my MSWL*! nothing has changed too much, but you can find out more about what I'd like to see in my inbox here: manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/gretchen-durning/

*please note I am not able to accept unagented submissions

#MSWL for isolation horror about the prairie fever, aka the horror of the never ending flat plains

I’d love to see more legal thrillers and fantasy in Adult (and fantasy is always welcome in YA, too!) #mswl

I acquired two books this week! I'd love to keep this roll rolling. Agents--keep sending me your Gen-Z and Millennial self-improvement. Let's do this! #MSWL

i feel like i've said this before but i will say again that i would love a YA or MG historical fiction set during the AIDS epidemic! #mswl

Hi agents and authors! ICYMI: Entangled Editor Wish Lists have been recently updated👇#mswl

entangledinromance.com/2024/04/15/editor-wish-lists-for-april-2024/

black sails is now on netflix and once again i am asking for twin flame enemies-to-up2u #MSWL

A few years back this would have been a ridiculous statement, but I feel like the time has come...

Where is the next John Green? The heir. The disciple. The witty young upstart who was inspired by his books to write their own.

Agents, I'm dying to see this in my inbox #MSWL

Agent friends, we did some list review yesterday, and we're looking for a fresh, high-concept MG series. Anything you're loving at the moment?! #mswl

#mswl plz

#mswl

#mswl where are my tiefling girls at. Give me some cambion fantasy, send me some romantasy that's -literally- horny

#manuscriptwishlist

If you are writing a Southwestern Gothic, please step to the front of the class. I'm desperate for something dark and unsettling and folkloric set in the stark desert. #mswl