Literary Agent
Overall themes I'd like:
- Grey morality
- Small town settings with intricate interpersonal relationships
- Angst
- Soft boys, especially those who can admit feelings
- Slow burn romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Childhood best friends
- Fae (think Holly Black)
Literary Agent
If you have a friendship breakup book, especially following the aftermath (in MG or YA), then I'd love to see it. Or even friends who realize they're not right for each other anymore.
Friendship breakups are painful!
Literary Agent
I hope to continue to see excellent YA mysteries and thrillers, Romance and Big Friendship stories (or any intersection of the two that permeates high school!), MG adventure and sleuths, and historical fiction that tackles big issues in very personal and direct ways #mswl
Literary Agent
Also on the adult end I would love to find commercial and upmarket friendship focused stories that really show the complexities of modern female friendship--good bad ugly and everything in between #mswl
Editor
📚 More diverse, inclusive teens falling in love! Looking for romance, romantic comedy & situational rom-coms that can make me laugh and then hit me in all the feels. Favorites: fake dating, rivals-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, stuck together & second chance #MSWL
Editor
I really want an upbeat, playful femme/non-binary friend squad just figuring out life & supporting the heck out of each other. Generally also looking for stories with conflicts that test the group dymanics but make them stronger as they work TOGETHER to overcome obstacles #MSWL
Editor
📚 Contemporary, commercial YA with an upbeat voice, emotional stakes & a heart of gold! Send all the situational comedies, quirky coming of age & tried-and-true friendship/squad stories. #MSWL
Literary Agent
Friendships! I’m so tired of the Mean Girl thing. Show me people supporting each other and lifting each other up not breaking each other down #MSWL
Literary Agent
Susan, A Cabbage Man Graham @Grahamophones
Best friends accidentally embroiled in murder, queer rock bands, stuff that isn’t sad twitter.com/benjamin_percy…Tbh all 3 together #mswl any age category, contemporary or sff I’m easy
Literary Agent
When I reopen to queries I want to see those friend families of outcasts & weirdos around that terrible cusp of adolescence. The kids who are patently uncool & dealing with tough stuff, but can get through it because they have each other, & lots of humor & heart.
Literary Agent
Erin Clyburn ~closed to queries~ @erin_clyburn
I just finished watching The Orange Years, a documentary about the early years of Nickelodeon, & it really coalesced for me my forever #MSWL when it comes to middle grade:I’m always chasing the feeling some of those early Nick shows (Pete & Pete, Salute Your Shorts, Doug, Clarissa Explains It All—but mostly Pete & Pete) captured: of being a nerdy kid, pretty anxious, always on the fringes, but with those friends who totally got you.
Literary Agent
✨Bailey Knaub⁷✨ @BaileyKnaub
I wish more stories showed platonic love!✨ Best friends saying “I love you”
✨ Hugging hello & goodbye
✨ Cuddling & sleeping on top of each other
✨ Hand holding
✨ Kisses on cheeks
✨ Casual intimacy like sharing clothes & house keys
More platonic love please! 🥺 #amwriting
Always always here for friendship stories! #MSWL
Literary Agent
✨Bailey Knaub⁷✨ @BaileyKnaub
I wish more stories showed platonic love!✨ Best friends saying “I love you”
✨ Hugging hello & goodbye
✨ Cuddling & sleeping on top of each other
✨ Hand holding
✨ Kisses on cheeks
✨ Casual intimacy like sharing clothes & house keys
More platonic love please! 🥺 #amwriting
YES!! #MSWL I need more
(Editors if you want a book like this have I got something special come January for you ❤️)
Editor
DIVERSE LOVE STORIES, ROM COMS, & ROM DRAMS! 💖💖i need to see more teens of color falling in love and embarrassing themselves with a grand gesture. i want more proms and first dates and fake dating and childhood-best-friends-to-enemies-to-lovers stories 💖💖#mswl
Literary Agent
But also other relationships, esp when they’re complicated! Siblings, friends, ex friends, familial, etc. (honestly I just love people dynamics give me complex nuanced messy relationships on all levels)
Editor
🪴 probinsyana @HELLAPASAWAY
i wish the grief of losing a friendship was more tangible in conversations. friends are lovers too and those inevitable fallouts in the process of outgrowing deserve space for healing. it's a heartache that's so often very lonely to navigate with feelings of betrayal and blameTHIS. Friendship breakups can be equally as painful as romantic ones, and I’d love to see these stories represented (and in my inbox!) #MSWL
Literary Agency
“Middle Grade: modern-day Sweet Valley Twins series (featuring best friends).” @msmariavicente #MSWL mariavicente.com/representation
Editor
THE□HYBRID™ @_stevewills
Soulmate friendships are indeed very realTHIS IS WHY I WANT MORE FRIENDSHIP STORIES. #MSWL
Literary Agent
Is it too much to ask for a modern, female-centric, MG version of THE SANDLOT? The varied friendships and subtle family drama and learning your fears aren't so scary and growing up/growing apart? So much to love! #MSWL
Literary Agent
I REALLY REALLY want a YA road trip/girls trip book. Silly, funny, friendship, vibezzz. Unforgettable memories that remain secrets foreverrrr. Please. #mswl