I know what makes editors say yes—and how to shape a project to get there.

#MSWL

As an editor, I worked with authors like Alex Kershaw, Phillips Payson O’Brien, Jonathan W. Jordan, Daniel Stone, John C. McManus, Tim Mak, and William Inboden. As an agent, I've sold projects to Basic Books, Beacon and Oxford University Press.

#MSWL

Before becoming an agent, I spent nearly two decades acquiring nonfiction at Penguin Random House, with a strong passion for history and politics.

#MSWL

I’m seeking journalists and historians with deeply reported, analytically sharp, story-driven books about power, conflict, and the forces that shape the modern world—projects that can define a subject for a wide readership.

#MSWL

Wish list time: I’m actively building a list of ambitious narrative nonfiction—and I’m looking for projects with the intellectual rigor, narrative force, and the cultural reach of Say Nothing, The Wager, The Splendid and the Vile, The Warmth of Other Suns, and SPQR, etc.

#MSWL

"Send me upmarket genre fiction: fantasy, grounded science fiction, magical realism, and horror."
mariavicente.com #MSWL

"I’m craving intricately told stories—whether that be puzzle pieces or interpersonal drama or worldbuilding, I’m looking for many moving pieces."
alexandragrana.bsky.social #MSWL

Editor 1 (cont.): So, she would like a woman/or women in a male field story.)

Editor 2: She wants more magic realism... Much like "The Husbands"...
This editorial team is really pushing to add more commercial fiction to their list. This is especially true for their romance list. #MSWL

Editor 1 (cont.): She would also love a "Lessons in Chemistry" with a BIPOC lead and pushing for change. (I don't think she meant the female lead had to be a chemist, but that she appreciated that the LIC lead was ambitious in a field dominiated by men.... #MSWL

#EditorsInsight #MSWL
So... I had a meeting with two really cool editors almost two weeks ago, and I left that. meeting really excited because we meshed well! Here is #EditorsInsight :
Editor 1: She would love projects on Indigenous person and environmentlism.

Hi! I’m heading over to query tracker! If you’ve got a project that matches my #mswl , query me there!

“I'd like proposals for single-topic personal development books. Ex: ALL THE GOLD STARS, THE PERFECTIONIST’S GUIDE TO LOSING CONTROL, HOW TO DO NOTHING, REST IS RESISTANCE.”
mariavicente.com #MSWL

My QM is officially open early this year, all the way until the end of July! Check out what I'm looking to acquire below. I cannot wait to see what you all have been working on.

#writingcommunity #romanceauthors #womensficauthors #weirdlitauthors #horrorauthors #amquerying #mswl

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"I'm looking for fantasy novels with shorter word counts and immersive worldbuilding. Ex: GODKILLER by Hannah Kaner, EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES by Heather Fawcett.”
mariavicente.com #MSWL

"I would love to see mythological retellings that are inspired by Arabian folklore, Korean mythology, or Baltic goddess traditions."
Elizabeth Guthrie #MSWL

As a reminder, I'll only be opening to nonfiction queries for the month of May. Here's a quick overview of what's on my #mswl if you're interested in hitting me up!

#MSWL I want to see projects with the vibes of this song and music video: Queer with a capital Q, set in or heavily influenced by ballroom and drag culture, preferably by queer and trans BIPOC creators. This is at the top of my wishlist.
youtu.be/XXIX2WnfbpE?si=F8wNapTt_tS9PR5U