When it comes to near future, I want to see books that remind me of Arrival: first contact through a new lens. I also LOVED Ascension, and anything with that sci-fi thriller feel, with the caveat that if you would comp it to Black Mirror, it’s not for me.

I’d give my soul to find something that made me feel like I felt reading The Fifth Season for the first time, or This is How you Lose the Time War. Gideon the Ninth is god tier to me.

For sci-fi give me space opera, political intrigue, terraforming, alien species and first contact. I loved A Memory Called Empire, Some Desperate Glory, Murderbot, Becky Chambers (Psalm for the Wild Built is the perfect solarpunk sf)…

I love seeing djinn on the page, Muslim characters as heroes. I love settings that feel like feudal Japan, or that have that Blue Eyed Samurai vibe. And anything that feels like epic fantasy x horror. And DRAGONS, always dragons.

I would love to see novels that explore Jewish mysticism - I'm hoping that Swordcatcher and the new Leigh Bardugo will bring about more Jewish epic fantasy!

I have a major soft spot (and this goes for both fantasy and sf) for nuns, monks, convents, religious orders, clerics and leviathan gods. I’m also a sucker for anything Arthurian, Middle Eastern & North African, anti-colonial…

I love all the classic quest tropes, intricate magic systems, assassins, courtesans, courtly intrigue (special mention to my all time fave The Goblin Emperor for mastering bureaucratic fantasy)…

More recently The City of Brass and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, Bone Shard Daughter, Priory of the Orange Tree, The Will of the Many, anything by Melissa Caruso, The Lost War, The Thief and anything that has a D&D vibe…

I’m a HUGE Robin Hobb fan, so anything reminiscent of the Realm of the Elderlings, count me in. I love classics like Lies of Locke Lamora, Trudi Canavan, Kushiel’s Dart (yes this is erotic epic fantasy), Red Sister…

Something I’m keen to see more of in my submissions inbox this year is epic fantasy and sci-fi, MSWL thread, 1/?

OK here's a free idea from my personal wishlist: a middle grade or YA graphic novel about drama and infighting in a school choir. Doesn't that sound delicious?

Brought to you by someone who got kicked out of sixth grade choir for having an "attitude problem"

#MSWL

Been watching Reacher, wouldn't mind seeing more queries in my inbox with military personnel. #mswl

We'd love to see a fun YA adventure with unique & memorable characters. Send us your query if that's your book! brandyvallance.com / sara-kornienko.com / barbarabovaliteraryagency.com #amquerying #mswl #amwriting #WritingCommmunity

#MSWL I'd love a non-Western✨ vampire ✨book.

MG, YA, & Adult all welcome.

For MG: likely adventure/fantasy based w/magic and/or non-Western mythology.

For the rest: fantasy set in a non-Western world w/sharp stakes & a romance.

Could be 1st or 2nd world fantasy.

YES PLEASE #MSWL

#MSWL In YA (& MG), more "study/adventures abroad" books featuring teens in non-American locations, especially if the locations are non-Western and the stories star really robust casts of BIPOC characters.
Think ONE TRUE LOVES, I'M NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS, & LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI.

#MSWL Basically any rom-com or romantasy (adult, new adult, or YA) that can give me CRAZY RICH ASIANS vibes.

And I'm also looking for YA in *any* category that can do the same.

#MSWL I'd also love a YA story about high school tennis players. Give me fun, give me rivalry -- bonus points if it can also pull off TWEET CUTE vibes!

#MSWL : sports romances! Especially queer and/or BIPOC.
I was hugely into sports as a kid and am specifically looking for super fun rom-coms in this area that'll give you all the feels! (No preference on which sports are featured!) Adult, New Adult, and YA welcome.

Would love some BIPOC-led mysteries in my inbox!! #mswl