Kelly Dyksterhouse
@KellyDHouse
Literary Agent
Literary Agent, The Tobias Literary Agency, Kidlit, Hiker, Writer, Professional Daydreamer, MFA from VCFA. AALA. SCBWI She/Her
43 MSWL

I’m not a fit for: sci-fi, grief stories, stories that personify death in some way, and pb that “teach a lesson.” Right now I am being very selective in contemporary YA and MG.

Kelly Dyksterhouse
@KellyDHouse
Literary Agent
Literary Agent, The Tobias Literary Agency, Kidlit, Hiker, Writer, Professional Daydreamer, MFA from VCFA. AALA. SCBWI She/Her
43 MSWL

In #PB I’m on the lookout for funny, child-centered books with a clear narrative arc and amazing character who could possibly carry more than one story. I’m not looking for PB bios right now, but am open to NF that surprises, especially if it involves the natural sciences.

Kelly Dyksterhouse
@KellyDHouse
Literary Agent
Literary Agent, The Tobias Literary Agency, Kidlit, Hiker, Writer, Professional Daydreamer, MFA from VCFA. AALA. SCBWI She/Her
43 MSWL

For #YA , I’m really on the lookout for a cozy fantasy, fantasy with immersive world building, dark academia, and would love a fresh take on vampires or the Eternal One trope.

For #MG , it’s all about the voice and high stakes adventure for me.

Kelly Dyksterhouse
@KellyDHouse
Literary Agent
Literary Agent, The Tobias Literary Agency, Kidlit, Hiker, Writer, Professional Daydreamer, MFA from VCFA. AALA. SCBWI She/Her
43 MSWL

Thanks to manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social for organizing #MSWL day! I’m open from 1-7 of every month and here is what I’ll be looking for in March:

I rep PB-YA and gravitate towards projects that have a clear, commercial hook and a captivating voice. 🧵

Charlotte Wenger
@WilbursBF_Char
Literary Agent
Literary agent with @prospect_agency | @SimmonsSLIS MA in Children's Lit alum | #wndb | opinions mine | she/her
19 MSWL

#MSWL - I'm going to become an aunt this year! Would love to see stories that feature the special relationship between aunts/uncles and their nieces/nephews/niblings. #PB #kidlit #kidlit art

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Even more #MSWL details are on my website. You can find submissions guidelines there, too!
mariavicente.com

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

And I'm still looking for a middle grade animal story to add to my list (I’ve been looking for over a decade…). Examples: Pax by Sara Pennypacker, Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel, A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry, Santa Paws by Nicholas Edwards. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

I’m looking for what I like to call “weird and wonderful” YA novels. Magic realism, or stories that blend genres to create something new. Examples: Wilder Girls by Rory Power, They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera, and The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

I represent creators of graphic novels and graphic nonfiction for all age categories. I’m particularly looking for graphic novel proposals that push the boundaries of the format—a book that NEEDS to be in a visual, sequential format. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Some nonfiction books I love: Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, All the Gold Stars, Witches of America, Taschen’s The Library of Esoterica series, What We See in the Stars, The 2000s Made Me Gay, Trick Mirror, Nightmare Fuel. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

In nonfiction, send me proposals about art, the environment, pop culture, psychology, science, cultural history, and occult topics. Give me new perspectives on entertaining topics. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Stylish mysteries and thrillers that rely on tropes but make them feel new. Give me the modern-day The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Some good comparison titles for my current taste in fiction: The Bloody Chamber, Death Valley, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Bunny, My Year of Rest and Relaxation, Godkiller, Legends & Lattes, The Fake. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

In contemporary fiction: books with “sad girl” or “cool girl” vibes. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

In genre fiction: fantasy (shorter, mostly standalone books—epic fantasy series are not for me), grounded science fiction, magical realism, retellings of fairy tales, horror. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

The number one item on my wish list right now is upmarket and literary fiction. Contemporary or speculative. Anything strange, weird, or depressing is for me. #MSWL

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Right now, I’m looking for a little bit of everything. Beautiful writing + a compelling sales hook is the key.

Mike Whatnall
@mwhatnall
Literary Agent
Literary agent and film rights coordinator @DGandBtweets . Irrepressible book enthusiast. they/them, sal: Mx.
15 MSWL
Rosecliff Literary
@roseclifflit
Literary Agency
Literary Agent at Rosecliff Literary | Dev Ed @writersdigest @uncharted_mag_@fracturedlit | Rep: @askamycollins
7 MSWL

#MSWL : Psychological thrillers. If I don’t start doubting everyone by chapter three, what are we even doing? Bonus points for unreliable narrators, characters making very bad decisions, and at least one scene where I gasp out loud. 🔍😵 #amquerying

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
208 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

It's #MSWL day! For those who don't know, you can read through posts under the hashtag to see what literary agents and editors are looking for in submissions.

My official MSWL profile is linked below, but I'll share some specific wish list items in the posts that follow, too.
www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/maria-vicente/