The overarching things that connect everything I look for are characters and voice. I love delving deep into characters, how they change and feel, how their relationships are and evolve. I love the emotional resonance of this; I love feeling things as I read. I also love #MSWL

Happy 2022! May this year bring us more wonderful things and rest. Time to update my #MSWL, but first:

- I’m always looking for stories by and about diverse voices

- Please don’t pitch me on twitter

- Agented submissions only

Let’s roll!

HUGE on my 2022 #MSWL!!!!!

* Stories that start with a character waking up – I say this over and over, but I still see it ALL the time. I promise you there is a better dropping in point for your story, just consider giving it a try. ❤️
...

* Have I mentioned I don’t want misogynistic stories? Because I really DO NOT want them!
* If your story deals with suicide, make sure you are using the proper language
...

* Books set in the 80s-90s unless there is a historical significance that anchors the book in these years. If you can pick up the plot and set it modern day, then likely you should
* Books with overtly religious themes
...

* Stories about men stalking and murdering women—unless a woman uses this knowledge to turn the tables and stalks and murders the men
* Fatphobic stories
* Stories where a marginalized character has to teach another character how not to be bigot
...

* Stories where women are the props to a man’s journey—or where women have to do the emotional labor for men so they can become better people
* Stories where there isn’t one woman mentioned in the entire synopsis
...

On the opposite end of the spectrum let’s talk about things I DON’T want:
* Stories that depict animal cruelty—If the dog dies, I don’t want it
* On page rape
* Excessive gaslighting
* Stories about misogynistic guys—I don’t care if he changes in the end, it’s not for me
...

* Stories that highlight the complexity of families—Give me big messy families
* Stories that feel like a warm hug
* Stories about hope
* Fiercely feminist
* Unexpected twists
* Character Driven
* Compelling hooks
* Edge of my seat stories
* Authentic stories
...

* Stories with trans characters—that do NOT have to center around their inviting others into their world (coming out) but I’m open to those stories too. This goes with all LGBTQIA+ stories
* Stories with non-binary characters
* Stories that subvert toxic masculinity
...

* Flawed yet loveable characters
* Morally questionable women—We have characters like Joe and Dexter who people love, we should get to have female characters like this too
* Stories that make me laugh AND cry
* Unusual settings
* LGBTQIA+
...

* Historicals focused on women doing amazing things—Or the women who should be credited for amazing things that are unknown
* Burning down the patriarchy
* Stories that pass the Bechdel test (this is more of a requirement than a wish list item)
...

* Positive female friendships—Give me girls supporting girls. Girls teaming up for the greater good. Girls who love their friends with their whole hearts.
* Underrepresented voices
* Fresh takes on fantasy
* Stories with a speculative twist
...

Happy New Year! To start things off I thought it might be a good idea to share some things I’m looking for. So buckle up my #MSWL is coming (a thread) … *Note I rep MG, YA, & Adult fiction and these items pretty much span that range.
Here we go...

Really enjoyed #DontLookUp and would love to see more #YA and #MG submissions with creative plots that can bring attention to the climate crisis. Books can be so powerful. This is just one of many personal and professional goals for #2022 on my #MSWL ! 🤞💚🌲

#MSWL

Since I'm preparing a new #MSWL thread for 2022 I thought I'd ask: writers, what helpful information would you like agents to include in their wish-lists? Anything that you'd rather NOT be included? #WritingCommunity

Big changes in 2022. Along with my writing (under pen name), I'm now an agent with @blueridgeagency #MSWL blueridgeagency.com/LeslieTruex.ht…

Now that we've reached the end of the year, these are four more books I loved this year. #MSWL twitter.com/rleskildsen/st…