I do love: fables, gallows humor, absurdism, unsettling atmospheres, unreliable narrators, sympathetic villains, anti-heroes, adventures, revenge-plots, twists that make the reader say "it all makes sense now!"

On the book club side, I love stories about toxic female friendships, family sagas with the layers and humor of a prestige soap opera, and novels that skirt the line between commercial WF and thrillers. #MSWL

✨A Black marching band drama
✨A humorous take on puberty for girls
✨Subversive Catholic school stories
✨If something has "already been done” but it's never been done with characters who hail from marginalized backgrounds, I want to read it...

Genres I'm on the hunt for:
MG fantasy, MG literary contemporary, YA humor, YA fantasy, YA rom-com, Upmarket Women's fiction.
#MSWL - international settings, folktale re-imaginings, funny friendship banter, twisty YA thrillers, multiple POV, found family.

😂 Make me laugh! Note I am not one for super zany young MG or grossout humor, but I love self-aware wryness or a bit of quirk
😭 & make me cry, especially with contemporary MG about family, friendship, & kids figuring out their place in the world #MSWL

... a broad range of MG & YA fiction and graphic novels--fantasy (my first & greatest love as a reader), historical, romance, some great humor, and high-concept contemporary (especially with a framing device such as epistolary elements, then-and-now timelines, etc.) #MSWL

Since I'm open to queries again:
MUST HAVE: Adult romance only. NO YA. Fantasy or sci-fi sub-genre ONLY.
Prefer: High heat level
#MSWL list:
1. Vampires or witches (still looking for something different)
2. mystery & humor even if dark
3. Bridgerton w/PR element
4. Surprise me

•Think high concept sci-fi like Dreamfall Chapters (video game), where people are addicted to virtual reality and can't funciton in society.
•Dark fantasy themes with equally dark humor like Sweeney Todd and Dark Shadows. Tim Burton is a vibe.

Humorous essay collections, especially if they have some sort of bigger picture social commentary tying the essays together. #MSWL

I like sarcasm and humor. I like nonfiction narratives that read like fiction. I like books that deal with current issues, but that teach you the history of a thing. Have you read IMMUNE by Phillipp Dettmer? Fascinating!

In nonfiction, when in doubt, try me. #MSWL

I have a soft spot for grounded stories with touches of speculative fiction, cheeky, self-aware humor, and elevated horror.

I am *not* the right editor for mss that contain sexual violence, stalking, or predatory behavior, or picture books with animal characters.

PICTURE BOOK:
--Offbeat humor and cheeky, adventurous characters
--Thoughtful, emotional stories with unusually beautiful art

I'm also hungry for ROMANCE. Especially contemporary, but also historical.

Again, I'm looking for a really strong hook in this category. Humor is a plus! #MSWL

I enjoy provocative humor—humor that challenges the intellect. I am open to comedy of manners, satires, surrealist stories, dark comedies, etc. Humor that’s also a little sad is my sweet spot. MARRYING THE KETCHUPS by Jennifer Close is a great example of a wickedly witty story.

Speaking of humor… I’m looking for anything with a darkly funny sensibility. Ottessa Moshfegh is an all-time fave, along with books like THE NEW ME, YOU, or MY SISTER THE SERIAL KILLER, and TV shows like White Lotus.

I’m beyond OBSESSED with the TV show Yellowjackets -- would love love love to find something that brings the scares alongside a wicked sense of humor! This goes for thrillers, too -- I’d love to find the next Lucy Foley, Megan Abbott, or Jessica Knoll.

I REALLY want some COLLEGE-AGE YA! I binged The Sex Lives of College Girls and just adored these characters so much. I want to see diversity, humor, willingness to be messy, friendship, and honesty.

There can be romance, but it doesn't need to be the center of it all.

#WritingCommunity my #MSWL!
Biographies, Cookbooks, DIY, History, Humor, LGBTQ+, Memoir, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Travel, True Crime, Diversity, Feminism, Multicultural, Narrative Nonfiction, Relationships, Self-help, & Social Issues Query: lstevens@edicionesurano.com

#WritingCommunity my #MSWL!
Biographies, Cookbooks, DIY, History, Humor, LGBTQ+, Memoir, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Travel, True Crime, Diversity, Feminism, Multicultural, Narrative Nonfiction, Relationships, Self-help, & Social Issues Query: lstevens@edicionesurano.com

The Owl House is, and will probably always be, my god tier of children’s media. The found family. The humor. The magic and demonic world building. The middle grade storytelling that is actually universal and so smart and witty. The humor and heart. The rep. All of it. #mswl