Ash Stann
@ashtynwrites
Editor
Freelance Editor for @fluxbooks and @jollyfishpress | Writer | Retired Book Blogger and bookseller | Lover of Happily Ever Afters šŸ’— Tweets are my own. she/her
6 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)

Marietta B Zacker
@AgentZacker
Literary Agent
obsessions: šŸ“ššŸ¦šŸ’ƒšŸ½, representation in books & in all of life matters to this unabashed Latinx; co-owner & literary agent at @galltzackerlit ; author (she/her)
17 MSWL
44 AskAgent

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

Amanda Rutter
@ALRutter
Editor
Commissioning Editor at Solaris Books. Owned by three hellhounds. Talks a lot about politics, sports, books and dogs. Knitter, crocheter and lover of loud music
37 MSWL

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!

Daniele Hunter
@DanieleDHunter
Literary Agent
Junior Agent, @mcintoshandotis , KidLit!! Queer, disabled. Wife/cat lady; she/her. Ambidextrous optimist. #WeNeedDiverseBooks #BrainTumorSurvivor #Endometriosis
28 MSWL

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 Johnsonā€™s TRULY DEVIOUS series) and very literary writing (I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU again).

Erin Casey Westin
@erincaseywestin
Literary Agent
Associate Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Closed to queries. She/her. Profile photo by DMOimages.
34 MSWL
27 AskAgent

#MSWL In general Iā€™m gravitating toward stories with mysteries. Whether itā€™s a literal mystery investigation or a thriller or a fantasy with a big secret ā€“ give me that overarching thing tugging me through the pages. BUT make sure there isnā€™t just one big reveal at the end!

Erin Casey Westin
@erincaseywestin
Literary Agent
Associate Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Closed to queries. She/her. Profile photo by DMOimages.
34 MSWL
27 AskAgent

#MSWL While Iā€™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 doesnā€™t, I know, sorry). A great mystery also always gets my attention.

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

More specifics:

-Witches!

-Magical libraries

-Secrets and liesā€”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

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

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

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

Middle grade ā€“ 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.

Lindsay Flanagan
@LindsFlanagan
Literary Agent
ANNAGREY & THE CONSTELLATION: 8/2023 @ydpress . Rep: @jnrlitauthor Editor, photographer, literary agent-in-training w/ @jacqui_lipton @TheTobiasAgency
5 MSWL
Lindsay Flanagan
@LindsFlanagan
Literary Agent
ANNAGREY & THE CONSTELLATION: 8/2023 @ydpress . Rep: @jnrlitauthor Editor, photographer, literary agent-in-training w/ @jacqui_lipton @TheTobiasAgency
5 MSWL

2/3 My #MSWL for pitches is: adult work only in fantasy (all categories), mystery, thriller, romance, womenā€™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.

Bibi Lewis
@Bibi_Lewis
Literary Agent
Agent at the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. Lifelong New Yorker and forever bookworm. she/her
82 MSWL
10 Tips

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

Bibi Lewis
@Bibi_Lewis
Literary Agent
Agent at the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. Lifelong New Yorker and forever bookworm. she/her
82 MSWL
10 Tips

Romanceā€”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

Megan Manzano
@Megan_Manzano
Literary Agent
Agent @StevenLiterary ā€¢ #RevPit Editor ā€¢ Mentor @BreakthroughWBC ā€¢ (She/They) ā€¢ Latinx šŸ‡µšŸ‡· Opinions are my own.
124 MSWL
205 AskAgent
10 Queries
179 Tips

Ensemble casts having to figure stuff out, solve mysteries, or escape danger. Especially in a small town or close knit setting. Think Stranger Things, On My Block, or All of Us are Dead.

Elisa Houot
@ElisaHouot
Literary Agent
Literary agent at @seymouragency Agent littƩraire
19 MSWL
1 AskAgent

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

Elisa Houot
@ElisaHouot
Literary Agent
Literary agent at @seymouragency Agent littƩraire
19 MSWL
1 AskAgent

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

Elisa Houot
@ElisaHouot
Literary Agent
Literary agent at @seymouragency Agent littƩraire
19 MSWL
1 AskAgent

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).

Elisa Houot
@ElisaHouot
Literary Agent
Literary agent at @seymouragency Agent littƩraire
19 MSWL
1 AskAgent

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.

Eva Scalzo
@evascalzo
Literary Agent
a boricuašŸ‡µšŸ‡· who has never met a tangent she wouldnā€™t follow | lit agent @ Speilburg Literary | AALA & SCBWI | she/her/ella/ms. | links in bio
89 MSWL
444 Queries
39 Tips

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 ā€œVigilante Shitā€ or ā€œno body, no crimeā€ then youā€™re 100% in my wheelhouse. #mswl

Bethany Jett
@BetJett
Literary Agent
Assoc Lit Agent, Boymom x3, MilspošŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø šŸ™šŸ» šŸ’– #INFJ āœØ I live in a world of books, but Iā€™m literally allergic to them. #colophony | AALA SCBWI
18 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)