✨️ 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.

5/ ROMANCE: The right balance of emotion/comedy. Friends or enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, second chances. Atmospheric settings. Lovable side characters and a fresh take on archetypal love stories. Open to speculative/paranormal romance with a touch of magic. No toxic romance tropes.

This year, I would especially love to find a grounded fantasy that comps to EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES, which has been my favorite series of the past couple years.

Hooky grounded magic, delectable characters and a romance to die for, cozy vibes that escalate into high stakes! #MSWL

Very happy to be participating in the first bsky.app #MSWL event! Looking for adult fiction -- contemporary, historical, magical realism/speculative, romance....
www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kevan-lyon/

Looking for an immersive novel, with either a contemporary, historical or dual timeline. A dose of magic is always welcome but not absolutely necessary. I love stories of strong women doing unexpected things, relationship stories and a love story at the heart of a novel is never a bad idea. #MSWL

Fantasy/Speculative: I'm looking for magic & magical beings alongside mortals in charming places or unforgettable time periods, like Katherine Arden’s The Winter of the Witch, or VE Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (doesn't have to be witches—fae, djinn, gods are all good options) #MSWL

Query opening update and #MSWL ✨

Here is my updated #MSWL for winter 2025. I will be opening back up to unsolicited queries at the end of the month. If I’ve requested materials from you please send me a DM for my query link.

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