YOUNG ADULT

- high-concept, darkly comic modern fables with literary writing and crossover appeal like THE PISCES or GEEK LOVE
- eerie and atmospheric fantasies inspired by non-Western mythology
- sweet contemporary rom-coms about QPOC main characters

#MSWL

YOUNG ADULT

- contemporary stories that take a tongue-in-cheek approach to deconstructing toxic gender norms
- ripped-from-the headlines contemporary novels with literary writing and whipsmart sociopolitical commentary

#MSWL

So #MSWL ahead of reopening on Monday 6/1: contemporary Romances and rom-coms! I have been thinking about the manuscripts I have read lately and loved or the books I have read lately and loved, and this was what they all had in common: they were all romantic books. So gimme!!

Ignoring the fact that I am backed up on queries:

#MSWL I want the next Talia Hibbert Red heart Give me all the body-positive, LGBTQIA+ friendly, inclusive, diverse, and sexy contemporary romances. Please and thank you!

I really want an adult ballet contemporary romance or WF. No Swan Lake retellings... I am fatigued on those. LGBTQ+ or neurodiverse welcome and preferred. #MSWL

Watching the new Netflix show Blood & Water and I'd love to see more YA contemporaries outside the US in my inbox. #mswl

I'm constantly catching up on queries (which have gone up 200% since the pandemic hit). One category I'd love to see more of are graphic novels for kids and teens. Contemporary/fantasy/historical. Always diverse voices! Especially if an author/illustrator. #MSWL

Would love a YA contemporary that's a series of letters written to a younger sister (now 15) from a sister who died at 16/17 when girl was a 3-yo. Imagine a serious GOOD LUCK CHARLIE meets THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. Could alternate between letters & new sibling's perspective. #MSWL

“Young Adult: Contemporary that reads like super fun fanfiction, magical realism novel with gorgeous prose, experimental formats.” @msmariavicente #MSWL mariavicente.com/representation

Here is my #mswl darleyandersonblog.com/2020/02/25/mee… Generally, outside of crime, things that are uplifting & are about finding/making connections. High concept, feel-good, love stories. And across children's uplifting again, funny, things inspired by kindness and nature.

A MG contemporary that celebrates the strength and resilience of community ties and the heroes we meet every day. #MSWL

#mswl In adult -- voice and hook. Contemporary, historical, fantasy, speculative fiction, fantastical realism. Books I’ve recently called faves include The Interestings, A Gentleman in Moscow, Nothing to See Here, The Starless Sea, The Power, and the Broken Earth Trilogy 8/?

#mswl #ya In teen, query me with your contemporary coming-of-age stories filled with hope, your teen girl angst, and your fantasies with unexpected twists on classic tropes (see: books I had edited like Most Likely, You Must Not Miss, and The Bone Houses) 7/?

MIDDLE GRADE:
- Funny and sweet contemporary coming-of-age stories
- Light fantasy adventures with great heart
- Historical fiction highlighting lesser-known narratives about marginalized folk

#MSWL

#MSWL Some of my favorite tropes include secret agenda, secret identity...secrets in general. Fake dating, arranged marriages, second chance, forbidden love, and forced proximity. I enjoy stories with strong family elements, and characters that are quirky and smart.
#Carinapitch

#MSWL For Carina Adores, I'd love to acquire a queer marriage of convenience contemporary.

Or a queer take on any of my fave tropes...

#Carinapitch

“I’d love to read some vibrant, Broadway/West End musical fiction. Give me glamour and behind-the-scenes action. Interesting, dramatic, but contemporary and upmarket.” @readbystephanie #MSWL psliterary.com/submissions/

“I am interested in a variety of YA genres: contemporary, magical realism, horror, mystery, thriller, and light fantasy—just to name a few!” @msmariavicente #MSWL mariavicente.com/representation

And listen, here’s the thing: I’m good with romance being messy and not always ending well, but the only contemporary stories I find that aren’t HEA YA romance are usually about suicide. Where are the middle ground manuscripts which this movie SO EXCELLENTLY defined?! #MSWL

A YA contemporary that comps to WHERE I END AND YOU BEGIN by Preston North #MSWL