For picture books, I tend to lean towards a more commercial edge. And humor, with a heart of gold is 100% where my heart lies. #MSWL

PB fiction: another great place for the intersection of humor and heart! I love narrative driven stories that are about character journeys, and less interested in concept/message driven books. 2 reigning faves are Stumpkin and Pokko and the Drum.

MG: escapism is really the key word here! I love action and adventure whether it’s contemporary like Spy School or fantasy like Wilderlore. I’m drawn to big hearted emotions, wondrous magic, and zany humor

Overall! I’m really drawn to characters in impossible situations, immersive settings, imaginative world building, and witty humor. My taste is super escapist lately so it’s fine if you make me cry but I need a happy or hopeful ending (i beg)

In kid lit... I’d really love to grow my young adult & middle-grade list with...
✅ voicey friendships with sleuth mystery
✅ lush worlds with trustworthy companions
✅ humorous self-love navigating identity

#MSWL

🎉 New Year, new #MSWL ! Here’s what I’m eager to see when I reopen in 2025:

👉 Bold, imaginative, PBs from author-illustrators
👉 Latinx, BIPOC, marginalized author-illustrators
👉 Laugh-out-loud funny PBs—smart, clever humor (no fart books or potty humor plz) (1/4)

#mswl

#mswl

also!

- indigenous writers of all genres, especially in horror, romcom, thrillers, upmarket & litfic
- novels with biting humor and tons of heart a la THE RACHEL INCIDENT and GOOD MATERIAL
- anything that feels like a warm hug, a sweater knitted with love, a hot cup of tea (& still has some bite!)

Hey y'all, I'm not on this site much anymore, but just in case it's helpful, I'm posting my updated #MSWL here! Check out our submissions instructions to send me your brilliant work :)
trellisliterary.com/natalie-edwards-mswl

Specific #MSWL :

Lower MG with the heart and humor of Ivy + Bean or a lower MG version of Eloise. Illustrations in projects like these are welcome!!!

Specific #MSWL :

A fun, pace-y (maybe humorous) mystery series for MG or YA à la A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE, TROUBLE IS A FRIEND OF MINE, THE FOURTH STALL, Stuart Gibbs’ SPACE CASE or FunJungle books, or an updated Nancy Drew or Trixie Belden (especially Trixie Belden!).

#MSWL TL;DR:

[2/3] genre-subverting psychological thrillers (cunning female perpetrators, unreliable female narrators, etc.), select coming-of-age; feminist satire/dark comedy (big fan of biting, whip-smart humor); select cozy fantasy (grounded); select historical

Very much still looking for horror in the adult, YA and MG space! Also, humorous mystery a la Only Murders/Finlay Donovan is (still) hitting my sweet spot.

Very specific things I'd love to see
- more adult fantasy/romantasy (something very unique and off the wall and contemporary/grounded)
- MG and YA horror and mystery/thriller
- Academia
- humorous cozy fantasy
- sapphics!

#MSWL

On September 23 I will open for: Smart Book Club Fiction, Upmarket Women’s Fiction. Looking for: propulsive storylines, rich characters, complex relationships, quirky, humorous with a dash of romance. Other genres to be announced. Submit here: QueryManager.com/ErinNiumata #MSWL

Good grief. If you can write me a book that channels Glen Powell & Ryan Gosling that could be optioned for a movie I’d be all over that. #MSWL Has to be hooky & commercial with a strong plot & characters (obviously) lots of humor, swagger, action & showcases their personalities!! x.com/njhftdolans/st/njhftdolans/status/1828489144789565570

I'm open for Smart Book Club Fiction, Upmarket Women’s Fiction for one week only. I’m looking for: propulsive storylines, rich characters, complex relationships, can have humor and romance (not straight RomComs). Submit here: QueryManager.com/ErinNiumata #MSWL

In Adult, I would particularly love a funny/satirical horror, a humorous, over-the-top mystery/thriller, or a locked room mystery in a spec fic setting.

I'm NOT typically the right fit for hist fic, military, police procedurals, high fantasy/sci-fi, dystopian, or literary fic.

On Friday, July 26th I'm open for Smart Book Club Fiction, Upmarket Women’s Fiction for one week only. I’m looking for: propulsive storylines, rich characters, complex relationships, can have humor and romance (not straight RomComs). #MSWL