#amquerying writers, I'd love to see:

✨️A cosy fantasy like Legends and Lattes - magic meets the mundane in mythical wedding planners or dragons at drama school

💖A dreamy fairy-tale inspired romantasy (soulmates are a plus)

🔎A twisty Knives Out-esque murder mystery

#MSWL

-YA historical that features underrepresented experiences/time periods
-Unsettling YA horror/thrillers, especially with unreliable narrators
-YA high fantasy with innovative or unusual magic systems
-YA sci-fi, especially if it crosses genres (sci-fi horror/thriller/mystery)

In MG & YA (incl GNs by Author-Illustrators):
•Diverse contemporary stories and romcoms
•Grounded sub-genres like horror or mysteries
•Novels by marginalized writers w/ stories yet told
•Stories that take you on an adventure and an emotional roller coaster all at once
5/7

Try me on unusual genre mash-ups - think mysteries in space or epic fantasies in frontier settings. I've been enjoying the Solaris novels by Alice James, which are pitched as Sookie Stackhouse meets Bridget Jones!

Thriller/mystery/suspense: Murder mysteries, especially with dual timelines (WHERE SECRETS LIE by Eva V. Gibson). I like more focus on character than is typical for these areas (Maureen Johnson’s TRULY DEVIOUS series) and very literary writing (I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU again).

#MSWL In general I’m gravitating toward stories with mysteries. Whether it’s a literal mystery investigation or a thriller or a fantasy with a big secret – give me that overarching thing tugging me through the pages. BUT make sure there isn’t just one big reveal at the end!

#MSWL While I’ll rep any genre, I am particularly drawn to fantasy, speculative, magical realism, and fabulism. I love stories that marry a fast paced plot with literary writing and strong emotions (who doesn’t, I know, sorry). A great mystery also always gets my attention.

More specifics:

-Witches!

-Magical libraries

-Secrets and lies—and the aftermath when the truth comes out!

-Ensemble cast comedies like OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH (but not pirates)

-Stories that mix magic & mystery (HOTEL MAGNIFIQUE)

-Family bonds, especially sisters

Mystery/suspense – I really like creepy, gothic suspense like A FORGERY OF ROSES. And GALLANT—it feels like gothic, fantasy, & horror all in one! Anything that comps to CRIMSON PEAK is always on my list—creepy manor, period piece, lots of secrets, ghosts, some romance!

Middle grade – In addition to my constant favorites, fantasy & horror, I definitely have a soft spot for all things creepy & mystery! I'm a constant fan of THE GREENGLASS HOUSE, THE CLACKITY, NIGHTBOOKS, & I was a huge SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK fan as a kid.

If you’re interested in pitching me, check out @Jacqui_Lipton @annmrose @LaneHeymont @Sarah_Nicolas and Stefanie Rossitto #MSWL. Personally, I am excited to hear about adult fantasy, mystery, romance, women’s fiction, upmarket, and maybe even a thriller. 3/4

2/3 My #MSWL for pitches is: adult work only in fantasy (all categories), mystery, thriller, romance, women’s fiction, upmarket, and maybe even a thriller. My dream acquisition would have been The Night Circus. I like work that has hints of magic and a bit of darkness.

Mysteries and thrillers are a category I want to move into (particularly in YA) but I am more drawn to character driven stories than one that focus on a huge plot twist. This will likely be more commercial or upmarket fiction than strict genre mysteries. #MSWL

Romance—way more of it! Rom-Coms so funny that make me snort out my coffee, historicals with so much tension I want to pull my hair out, adventure/caper romance that takes me on a nailbiting ride or presents me with a mystery to solve. #MSWL

I am opening to Adult Fiction ✨ In Adult, please send me your Cozy Mysteries, Thrillers and Mysteries!
I am also looking for contemporary romance novels!

I would LOVE to find a New Adult Cozy Mystery!
I am also searching for a Young Adult or New Adult heist story!

Young Adult/New Adult: I am open to magical realism, contemporary fiction, thriller (+), mystery, and low fantasy. I am especially on the lookout for a sports story (where sports is the center of the story, like the shows Spinning Out, Pitch).

Middle Grade: I am looking for mystery stories! I also welcome magical realism and contemporary. In contemporary, I am especially looking for a story where sports is a big part.

Adult Mystery: My tastes here are pretty specific. If you've listened to my old friend, @taylorswift13, say you have a story that would comp to “Vigilante Shit” or “no body, no crime” then you’re 100% in my wheelhouse. #mswl

Closing submissions inbox on Friday.

#MSWL - cozy mysteries, YA or MG retellings, NF (see QM or PM for list), PB (can be author-only)