Very specific #MSWL —
I’m looking for a MG with the following:
-literary leaning/commercial hook
-strong, authentic voice
-MG age students facing relevant and important challenges
-friendships
-Diversity is a MUST
-boy reader appeal
-magical realism is OK, but NO fantasy, SF, or horror

elanaroth.bsky.social would love a cozy genre mashup!

For cosy fantasy I want something that reminds me of Everdell or Redwall for adults, dragons (but like how Robin Hobb does them, aka perfectly), anything that has a D&D flair or has a monk/cleric/paladin/nun as a central character, magic tea shops and cute robots and I want to cry happy tears

Fantasies with immersive, epic magic systems. Family dynasties. Incredibly well written villains who aren’t just evil for the sake of it. Something dark. Bloody. Ambitious. Not taking the high road. Fighting your oppressors. Stories that alter our belief in right and wrong

Would absolutely fall to my knees if someone comped anime series relating to JJK (particularly dark academia magic/alchemy elements with monsters & deep, enmeshed friendships that will destroy me- think GojoxGeto), Frieren, The Apothecary Diaries, Solo Levelling, etc. #MSWL

I’m looking for immersive settings, a strong love story, & a high-concept plot. Give me adventure, humor, and swoon-worthy romance—whether it’s a daring quest, a fairy tale reimagining, or a kingdom on the brink of change. I want magic, unforgettable characters, and a romance that feels epic. #MSWL

My queries are open! Please make sure your work matches my MSWL (link in bio) :) #mswl
querytracker.net/query/QueryDany

#mswl

✨️ Princess Bride-style banter and swoon-worthy romance
✨ Ella Enchanted vibes w/ adventure, humor, & lighthearted magic
✨ A headstrong heroine who refuses to be a damsel
✨ A dashing, mysterious [x] with a heart of gold
✨ Twists, disguises, & a fairy tale ending
#MSWL

Running late on #MSWL Day but HMU if you have smart literary spec work like HOW HIGH WE GO JN THE DARK or STATION ELEVEN with a spiritual twist: whp.submittable.com

My MSWL editor’s page:
www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/rebecca-johns/

Queer and/or BIPOC fantasy (contemporary, urban, second world, etc.) with lush settings and intriguing magical systems (+YA)
o A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON
o CEMETARY BOYS
o MIDNIGHT GIRLS
o DRAGONFRUIT
o A MARVELLOUS LIGHT

#MSWL

I’d rather read mss that attempt difficult things and execute them pretty well than ones that attempt what’s easy and execute it flawlessly. Dream big #MSWL ! Open for submissions in May, read more about what I'm interested in at www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/ch... lfpbooks.bsky.social

Still looking for a murder mystery set in space or with a touch of magic that is fun and inclusive! #MSWL

I’m craving more:
-STEM-inspired genre fiction/magic
-Grounded sci-fi like Severance, Primer, The Martian
-SFF like Arcane
-Horror like I Saw the TV Glow
-Escapist, action-packed reads
-Trans & queer romance
-Compelling villains

I am not right for:
-Military/police MCs
-Contemporary
-Lower MG

I’m looking for what I like to call “weird and wonderful” YA novels. Magic realism, or stories that blend genres to create something new. Examples: Wilder Girls by Rory Power, They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera, and The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton. #MSWL

In genre fiction: fantasy (shorter, mostly standalone books—epic fantasy series are not for me), grounded science fiction, magical realism, retellings of fairy tales, horror. #MSWL

Right now, the largest % of queries I receive are for the fantasy genre. Which is great, I love fantasy, but I also want my list to be balanced. So I would *really* love to see more queries in other genres: romcom, horror, mystery, historical, magical realism, graphic novel, etc. #MSWL

- MG mysteries! Friends solving puzzles together!

- MG fantasy with immersive magic and problem solving like Spirited Away

- MG contemporary stories about building community (sports teams, clubs, craft circles, neighborhood gardens, etc!)

More fantasy #MSWL : Adventure and magic with a badass female lead like Shannon Chakraborty’s The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi or V.E. Schwab’s Fragile Threads of Power (or anything like V.E. Schwab's books, for that matter)

6/ SPECULATIVE: “five-minutes-into-the-future” fiction that remains grounded in real human emotions and conflict (think Ling Ma or TJ Klune). Magical realism should feel organic and lyrical, where everyday life brushes against the surreal. Jesmyn Ward, Karen Russell, and Ruth Ozeki are the dream.