#mswl

To ring in the new year, SteelWorks Literary will open to unsolicited queries Jan 1-5, 2025! Scroll through to learn more about what Lori is hoping to find. QM link in bio above.
#amquerying #amagenting #kidlit #picturebooks #PB #MG #YA #GN #illustrators #kidlit illustration #kidlit art #mswl

Also #MSWL If anyone is querying an Adult feminist dystopian or a MG that feels like a true crime documentary, please comment so I can drop you a direct query link. As always— queer and marginalized voices welcome

The formally interesting too - Benjamin Zephaniah, Ursula LeGuin or David Almond-esque.
I published MG & YA for 10 years and it will always have my heart - the market’s tough but the readers are still there!

I don’t tend to rep picture books or fiction younger than 7+

I feel very strongly that we need to focus on literary quality as well as accessibility in our books for children. Anything YA or MG that does any of the above, ideally with hook & humour, I’d love to see.

Sophisticated MG, by which I mean MG that tackles big things, that plays with form. Think HOLES, THE INQUISITOR’S TALE, or for a film comp, THE IRON GIANT.

#mswl

I’m always down for folk religion, cults, and religious deconstruction.

And if you have a book (esp for MG) about swimming/swim team, please send it my way!

#MSWL

I’m prioritizing BIPOC and queer & trans writers atm! I’m really hunt for
- MG horror & mystery
- YA horror & mystery
- Adult spec fic, gothic horror, horroromance, romantasy
- sister stories
- mother daughter stories
- mermaids
- stories in the PNW, Appalachia, or arctic!
- dual timelines

#MSWL

I am also looking for YA horror & mystery/thriller

Sci-fi genre mashups

Romantasy (adult), Epic fantasy + cozy fantasy

Magical MG

#MSWL for the most outrageous MG comparable to TROLLS with Princess Poppy and Branch (sunshine + grumpy) vibes, but make it queer with just as much glitter, sparkles, and absurdity. Seriously.

FYI: I am opening to #submissions tomorrow! I am particularly keen to find more MG and YA, as well as new voices in the romance space (both romantasy and contemporary) for new adult/adult readers. Bio here:
watsonlittle.com/agent/megan-carroll/

This Halloween, after all the spooky October books I read, I've found myself craving a YA or MG horror novel rooted in non-Western mythology in my QM. I would love to see under-explored creatures and folklore brought to life—and the more atmospheric, the better! #MSWL

I’m still waiting on the big announcement, but I’m so excited to share that I’ve joined the incredible team @HowlandLit where I’ll be building my list in picture books, MG, and adult. Check out my #MSWL and find me on Query Manager

I’m looking for a similar sense of purpose for MG and YA with a focus on fantasy. But ultimately open to anything that breaks boundaries (in form, topic, etc.) for kids.

Looking to add SHORT (50K words or less) MG to my list. Agents hmu! #mswl

What are we looking for in our #query inboxes right now? Check out some highlights from our team's #mswl !

If you're ready to submit, head over to our website: contextlit.com/submissions

@trydzinski

here's a general sense of what I want for reference. For MG, YA and Adult: 1. Fantasy/Science Fiction: High fantasy, low fantasy, cosy fantasy. Particularly interested in fantasy and SF inspired by underrepresented cultures with unique world-building.

Thought I'd share my fiction #MSWL as I prepare to open! As mentioned, my list will be 60/40 towards MG/YA, the rest adult. I don't have much MG so during my first open query week, I will be considering MG only. However, I'll do different genres and age-groups each month, so🧵

#MSWL Give me boy-centric middle grade firmly in the 10-13 (think Space Case, Hatchet) category & also give me boy-centric younger YA perfect for 14-16 year old's. Think The Shadow Road, Patrick Ness books. Reference this in referral line with MSWL boy MG 10-13 / 14-16.

My list will be more focused on middle-grade & YA fiction this time, leaning about 60/40 in that direction. No one else at DMLA is currently looking for MG so I'm thrilled to be able to fill that gap. When I open up to queries, I'll seeking mainly MG in the first instance.