Fantasies or SF with an historical bent - Roman empires, Greek tragedies, Plantagenet dynasties but in SFF

Do consider me for manuscripts featuring older protagonists. I'm in my 40s and I would like to read fantasy and SF with characters of this age and older. We're not invisible!

At the other end of the scale, send me your gentle fantasy with hopeful outlook and characters doing the best they can.

Send me your big epic fantasy with world building you can touch, it's so real, and characters facing monumental world-ending stakes. Bonus points if it's an unusual setting and bigger bonus points if it's queer.

So, since I am getting my feet under the desk now, here's a little flavour of my #mswl. In general, I like all facets of SFF, including horror, and I like my books to range from serious thought-inducing works to read-in-a-flash commercial fiction.

Open to near-future dystopian (but not post-apocalyptic) with social critique, magic, or both (BLOOD LIKE MAGIC by Liselle Sambury, INTERNMENT by Samira Ahmed.).

Sparingly open to higher fantasy if very detailed, atmospheric, accessible (A FORGERY OF ROSES by Jessica S. Olson).

YA and MG contemporary fantasy: My second love! I’m interested in the same topics, and will look foremost for lyrical writing and character focus, with unique but very grounded magic systems. Example: THE NATURE OF WITCHES by Rachel Griffin.

It is an actual crime that I finished @MeganBannen's AMAZING book The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy two days ago after a marathon night of reading until 3am and haven't yelled about it yet. A perfect fantasy romance, in my book. DEFINITELY a #mswl reference for me

#MSWL A fantasy and mild 🙈 horror combo. I love an eldritch creature or a magical deer with too many antlers. Nothing that exists in the real world and can actually get me! And I like when there is actually a creature, but if there isn't, the real explanation better be cool!

#MSWL In general I’m gravitating toward stories with mysteries. Whether it’s a literal mystery investigation or a thriller or a fantasy with a big secret – give me that overarching thing tugging me through the pages. BUT make sure there isn’t just one big reveal at the end!

#MSWL I am eternally looking for a MG or YA fantasy that comps to The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. The worldbuilding, the characters, the magic system, the stakes, the reveals of the various mysteries – chef’s kiss!

#MSWL While I’ll rep any genre, I am particularly drawn to fantasy, speculative, magical realism, and fabulism. I love stories that marry a fast paced plot with literary writing and strong emotions (who doesn’t, I know, sorry). A great mystery also always gets my attention.

Specifics I'd love to see:

-Light, humorous fantasy without end-of-the-world stakes

-Enemies-to-lovers

-Stories with band geeks, artists-any kind front and center

-Friend break-ups

-A platonic male/female friendship that is the core of the story and is never romantic

Mystery/suspense – I really like creepy, gothic suspense like A FORGERY OF ROSES. And GALLANT—it feels like gothic, fantasy, & horror all in one! Anything that comps to CRIMSON PEAK is always on my list—creepy manor, period piece, lots of secrets, ghosts, some romance!

Middle grade – In addition to my constant favorites, fantasy & horror, I definitely have a soft spot for all things creepy & mystery! I'm a constant fan of THE GREENGLASS HOUSE, THE CLACKITY, NIGHTBOOKS, & I was a huge SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK fan as a kid.

Horror, YA & adult - To me, the best horror has social commentary (WHAT WE HARVEST, EAT YOUR HEART OUT). I love horror blended with fantasy or fairy tales. I never get tired of creepy forests & small towns with secrets, whether it’s a current setting, historical, or high fantasy!

Fantasy, YA and adult - Unique world-building, atmospheric writing, and strong characters first and foremost (I gravitate towards strong female leads especially!). Comps and topics I love:

This year, I’ll be looking first for MG, then YA, then adult, then PB. My preference is for dark genre work (fantasy, horror, suspense) and rom-coms/lighter contemporary! I’m newly open to adult rom-coms after falling in love with a few last year. 😁

🚨 Alice is reopening only to YA and crossover fantasy queries. Think romantasy, Legends & Lattes, Stardew Valley. Recent favourites include:

- Daughter of the Pirate King
- A Deadly Education
- Legendborn
- This Poison Heart
- Iron Widow

QueryManager.com/aliceashlitera…

#mswl

If you’re interested in pitching me, check out @Jacqui_Lipton @annmrose @LaneHeymont @Sarah_Nicolas and Stefanie Rossitto #MSWL. Personally, I am excited to hear about adult fantasy, mystery, romance, women’s fiction, upmarket, and maybe even a thriller. 3/4