Gothic Horror! This will be a thread bc I love this genre. First up, I desperately desire more southern gothic by Black authors and especially if it comps to SINNERS (I’m not really the one to try if you’re just comping it for a book with vampires) & the IWTV show. #MSWL

I have a soft spot for Southern Gothic. Especially from/about POC. And I don’t mean just tossing a side character who practices hoodoo/voodoo into a mostly white story. *side eyes Hollywood* #MSWL

I’d really love Southern or Appalachian horror too! #mswl

Horror
Twisted tales with layered storytelling
· Southern Gothic
· Occult
· Folk Lore
· Paranormal
· Bubble Gum
· Psychological
· Monsters

Since my slush pile will be reopening June 1, here's an updated #MSWL for holes in my current list:
–Board book author-illustrators
–Early reader and chapter book authors or author-illustrators
–Graphic novel author-illustrators (any age in kidlit)
–Creepy, gothic, southern gothic MG or YA

am eternally interested in books with small town, southern, Appalachian, or midwestern settings - written by people from those backgrounds!

also characters with disabilities in a commercial plot, written by disabled authors. #mswl

Here goes an adult fiction #MSWL :
- Book Club/Upmarket fiction with elevated prose
- Literary Fiction with a commercial hook

Bonus Points:
- Smart social commentary
- Humor
- Elements of genre fiction
- Southern US or Italian settings

Ok, agents and authors. It's me! Your friendly, local editor. I'm starting to build my 2026 list. Interested in what I'm looking for? Sure, you are. Here's my #mswl .

manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/ariell-cacciola/

Southern fiction is always close to my heart! Send me a query! Deep POV a plus! brandyvallance.com / barbarabovaliteraryagency.com / #mswl #amquerying #amwriting #literaryagent

I represent these genres but I am also not limited to these genres: Historical, Literary, Women’s Fiction, Southern Fiction, Sci-fi, Fantasy, YA, Adventure, Speculative, Inspirational, Thriller. brandyvallance.com / barbarabovaliteraryagency.com #mswl #amquerying

Haven’t seen much Southern fiction in my Query Manager. Also open to contemporary, historical, romance, literary, inspirational, YA, thriller…and more! Brandyvallance.com / barbarabovaliteraryagency.com #mswl #amquerying #literaryagent

If you are an author hoping to be traditionally published, check out my Manuscript Wish List manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/brandy-vallance/

Literary fiction written around characters of color (The Emperor of Ocean Park, A Little Life); contemporary Southern Gothic fiction (Pew); Gothic Magical Realism (Sorrowland); #writingcommunity /3

Felice has a soft spot for brainy novels set on college campuses (The Secret History, Loner); dark, moody Southern atmospheres like in Sharp Objects; clever ‘whodunits’ set on estates (The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Knives Out) #WritingCommunity /2

Some more fun, specific #MSWL :
🗻Stories in fun / nature filled settings, especially if they're a secondary character
☕️ Characters who are chefs / baristas / bakers
🥵I'm a southern, so give me southern stories
🦄Multimedia storytelling? YES!!
🐶 Any story with dogs / animals

Authors, we're looking for Southern fiction and Southern women's fiction. Romantic elements should be behind closed doors. No DMs. See submission guidelines: rachellegardner.com/submissions #MSWL #WritingCommunity #amagenting #amwriting

I would love to champion more marginalized voices from the Southern working class, in all genres I represent. #mswl

Adult fiction: Literary and upmarket projects, speculative fiction, horror, mystery, psychological thrillers, domestic thrillers, magical realism/fabulism, Southern gothic, rom-coms

YA fiction: Horror, mystery, thriller, grounded stories with a speculative element, magical realism/fabulism, Southern gothic, rom-coms (heavy on the com)

New year, new website! You can find all the info on agenting things, a detailed #MSWL, etc. at ismitahussain.com. #amquerying folks, check out that Manuscript Wishlist page :)