Fiction #mswl

I mostly read to be entertained. I like to read about topics of class, social issues, motherhood/domestic issues, family, ambition, love, family, tragedy, and desire.

I liked LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY, SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU, THE GUNCLE 1/2

On the kidlit side, I'm looking for lovable introverts, pride in culture and identity, angsty crushes, teachable moments, belonging, and emotional range. Hints of magic, family businesses, best friend groups, complicated home situations, and underdogs are welcome. #MSWL

I'd really love to see more family sagas with old secrets that unfold over time, mothers and daughters breaking cycles of generational trauma rather than perpetuating it, and something fresh and laugh-out-loud funny in terms of non-fiction narrative. #MSWL

The updated Manuscript Wishlist website looks wonderful - what a great resource. As always, my #MSWL is broad - a multi-generational family saga; speculative; something escapist/hopeful. My full #MSWL is here: manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/cath…

Happy #MSWL Day! My inbox is open to acquisitions 📚📚📚 Here’s my MSWL profile to help give you a sense of what I’m looking for:

manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/nico…

In high fantasy, my taste is super broad, but right now I'm esp looking for court intrigue, sprawling worlds, stories centering family dynamics, and of course stories w/ diverse voices. Send me South Asian inspired fantasy & novels starring wlw please!

"I want novels about dysfunctional families. Extra bonus points if they're wealthy (think HBO's Succession) because, let's face it, reading about rich people in trouble is fun. Super extra bonus points if there's an immigrant angle."
@ceciliaclyra #MSWL

psliterary.com/submissions/

MG: stories highlighting the beauty of kids going through difficult things and complicated family dynamics; experiences of first love and crushes esp of queer kids discovering themselves; misfits finding connection, friendship, and the stirrings of desire.

"For rom coms, my taste veers towards genre-blends, i.e., a rom com that's also a family saga or a romcom com that's also a thriller. DIAL A FOR AUNTIES by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a great example and my all-time favorite rom com."
@ceciliaclyra #MSWL

psliterary.com/submissions

I would really like to see stories with complicated family dynamics where blood is not necessarily thicker than water #MSWL

Speaking of toxic, I raced through SUCCESSION and love how it confronts our obsession with wealth while exploring the rot it creates within family/friends/relationships (8/12)

Friendship and family dynamics endlessly fascinate me, from the juicy drama of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES to the more wholesome GRACE AND FRANKIE (5/12)

Across all genres, I’m looking for:
-LGBTQIA+ representation
-neurodiversity
-representation of physical disabilities or chronic illness
-racial or cultural diversity
-unique or non-traditional family units (including found families)
-imperfect characters trying their best

I also love stories featuring relationships—the good, the bad, and everything in between: friendship and found family, “friend break-up”, complicated family dynamics. And I adore romance (especially LGBTQIA+!), but prefer it as a subplot.

More specifics:

-Witches!

-Magical libraries

-Secrets and lies—and the aftermath when the truth comes out!

-Ensemble cast comedies like OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH (but not pirates)

-Stories that mix magic & mystery (HOTEL MAGNIFIQUE)

-Family bonds, especially sisters

Things I DO love/DO want to see: fun settings that push the story along (museums, resorts, amusement parks, public transit, etc.), wholesome cinnamon rolls, anti-capitalist themes, non-western mythology, school trips, smashing the patriarchy, found family, cozy fantasies

#MSWL

I am always looking for Picture Books (non-rhyming)! I tend to prefer funny stories and stories that focus on family, but I love a good unexpected narrator!

I’m a total sucker for found family in any setting. Epic fantasy, space opera, I don’t mind. Just give me
those heartfelt 'with-you-to-the-end-no-matter-what vibes' #MSWL

#MSWL a beautifully written PB/MG/YA touching upon and shedding light on Korean American history. Something like one of my favorite films, 말모이 Mal-Mo-E, weaving humor, nuanced characters, complicated family dynamics beating w/love, & a spirit of resistance against the odds.

Specifically, I'm looking for complex family sagas that span decades (must include a contemporary component). Stories about friendships and the ways those bonds build and sometimes fracture. Sibling stories. Novels about home, belonging, lineage, legacy, and inheritance. 3/10