At the moment, I'd say I want to see YA and MG that leads with joy. Falling in love. Doing something exciting. Exploring new worlds. Kids with quirky passions. Humor. Families (of all configurations) that love each other. #MSWL

I like fantasy and fanciful books, but it has to offer something new. High-fantasy YA was my biggest query category in 2020 and had the highest rejection rate as a result. I'd prefer contemporary with a splash, or just something really fresh. #MSWL #querytip

Forever and always: commercial, plot-driven fiction for MG and YA. I have more room for MG. I am flexible on genre, but don't love gore or problem novels. I'm more interested in kids going on adventures than Only Suffering With Issues. (obvs kids do have issues in life) #MSWL

I open to queries on MONDAY! Here is my current #MSWL.
Genres:
Adult scifi, fantasy, horror (pref w/speculative elements)
YA Contemporary, scifi, fantasy
I am temporarily CLOSED to adult romance, and PB&MG.

The details (thread):

I’d love to see this (in teen & mg) also! #MSWL

There’s not room to hype all of the interesting and underrated YA NF out there, but I’m open to anything. Comps include AMERICANIZED: REBEL WITHOUT A GREEN CARD; THE BELOVED WORLD OF SONIA SOTOMAYOR; BONNIE AND CLYDE: THE MAKING OF A LEGEND; GIRL CODE; #NOTYOURPRINCESS; and SHOUT

Karen McManus is the current YA mystery gold standard, and I’d love a comp to any of her titles. But I’d also love a creepier THERE’S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE; a manuscript as twisty as DANGEROUS GIRLS; or a straight-up horror, like WILDER GIRLS. Give me tension and action!

My hands-down favorite YA dystopian is SCYTHE, so come at me with your clever takes on the future of death and society! I also want to see Gen-Z characters taking on a broken society in the way only they can. Give me the next CREWEL, THE GRACE YEAR, or ACROSS A STAR-SWEPT SEA.

I remain open to everything that’s on my CMALit.com page, but I’m REALLY hoping to fall in love with a few YA manuscripts. I want to hear from authors with brand-new ideas for the market! Without being able to anticipate those myself, though, here are some thoughts:

I hope to continue to see excellent YA mysteries and thrillers, Romance and Big Friendship stories (or any intersection of the two that permeates high school!), MG adventure and sleuths, and historical fiction that tackles big issues in very personal and direct ways #mswl

I am also very interested in MG or YA Non-Fiction that delves into cultural movements led by and for teens #mswl

Here's my current #MSWL:

In young adult fiction: thrillers, psychological suspense, horror, contemporary, mysteries, fantasy, and sci-fi.

Always looking for own voices, diversity, and LGBTQ+!!!

2/3 #WritingCommunity #amquerying

I’m on the hunt for: cozy and/or witty YA romcoms, grounded MG and YA fantasy, MG historical fiction from an underrepresented perspective, contemporary MG & YA graphic novels, really quirky nonfiction. In all categories I’m especially seeking projects by and about BIPOC. #MSWL

✨New year, new possibilities✨ So excited to be OPEN to queries once again! Looking to take on new #MG #YA & #A clients. #MSWL is here: manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kris… #querytip

2021 #MSWL YA edition: 1. contemporary stories that will have me obsessed like I am w/ the upcoming THE SEA IS SALT AND SO AM I @CassandraHartt 2. A YA Lucy Foley type thriller 3. Rom Coms: sweet, sexy, fun.

📚 Contemporary, commercial YA with an upbeat voice, emotional stakes & a heart of gold! Send all the situational comedies, quirky coming of age & tried-and-true friendship/squad stories. #MSWL

📚 First and foremost, I'm looking for more YA and children's non-fiction by BIPOC, LGBTQ, & other marginalized creators and stories that are bursting with joy and passion -- especially when it comes to fandom/pop culture/geek stories and communities! #MSWL

Happy New Year! Quick reminder that I'm reopening to submissions for *8 weeks only* from tomorrow morning (and I've actually updated my auto-response in advance this time!) Guidelines and my #MSWL on our website here: dkwlitagency.co.uk/submissions/ BRING ON 2021!

#MSWL - graphic novels! I'm particularly eager for grounded/realistic graphic novels or fantasy with one foot in the real world, but open to all GN genres in MG and YA.

#MSWL - and of course, contemporary YA that is heartfelt and full of big emotions always hits home. Some favorites include I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN, THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR, and of course client books like THE LAST TRUE POETS OF THE SEA, the upcoming INDIVISIBLE, etc.