all of this, queer & BIPOC & underrepresented voices are highly prioritized 👁️

#MSWL Update Thread:
All-Ages:
☑️ BIPOC
☑️ Queer/Trans
☑️ ND
☑️ Disability
☑️ Religions & spiritual beliefs that are underrepresented in publishing
☑️ Intersectionality

The world we live in is diverse. Books written for kids in the 21st century should reflect that

#MSWL I'm seeking picture book manuscripts with authentic representation of underrepresented religions. While we don't publish picture books that teach religious messages, we want more books for children to see themselves reflected. Please submit: freespiritpublishing.submittable.com/submit/134906/free-spirit-submissions

Right now I'm very interested in:
- dark academia that emphasizes the academics
- eco/climate fiction
- thrillers that aren't centered on/launched by murder
- #ownvoices folklore from cultures that are underrepresented in the English market
#mswl

Specific Interests continued (II):

-Beach settings

-Knitting

-Gymnastics (BREAK THE FALL by Jennifer Iacopelli) or swimming, but note that I'm not a huge sports person otherwise

-Holidays (any holidays, especially underrepresented ones! I’m a huge holiday person.)

Sparingly open to nonfiction in picture books, from educational to memoir.

I'm open to bios; I prefer underrepresented subjects (NIKI NAKAYMA: A CHEF’S TALE IN 13 BITES by Debbi Michiko Florence).

Informative with some wit, like Mary Roach for kids!

Historical: I prefer stories stories set in lesser-told times in history that feature underrepresented perspectives and have a human-interest element alongside the education (HER REBEL HIGHNESS by Diana Ma).

More underrepresented voices and backgrounds. More rare or lesser known settings. More diamonds in the rough. More retellings. Give me deep POV. If you're comps include a binge worthy show, character we love or love to hate, or movie, send my way.

My top MG genres right now are contemporary, horror, historical fiction, and fantasy. Across all genres, I'm eager to see submissions by authors from underrepresented communities. #mswl

For MG I'm interested in finding a high concept fantasy adventure, or a funny heart-warming narrative. I'm always on the look out for writing from underrepresented voices and so please do get in touch with your stories. 2/3

Agents:
- Sweeping love stories
- Feminist takes on old tropes
- Voices from underrepresented groups
- I love stories that keep me guessing, voice-y narratives, and immersive, atmospheric settings
- Light grounded Sci-fi elements
#MSWL

As always, I am actively trying to make sure my list is representative of kids in the UK today, and am actively looking for and prioritising work by creators from backgrounds underrepresented in publishing, whether that's ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, class, or otherwise

#MSWL Romance, Thrillers, Crime Drama, Suspense, Contemporary stories #AmQuerying 50K words and up. Query using the @LCSLiterary Query Manager box. #Underrepresented #LCSIntern

#MSWL Romance, Contemporary stories #AmQuerying 50K words and up. Query using the @LCSLiterary Query Manager box. It's time to FALL in love! #Romance #Underrepresented #LCSIntern

#MSWL Romance, Thrillers, Crime Drama, Suspense, Contemporary stories #AmQuerying 50K words and up. Query using the @LCSLiterary Query Manager box. #Underrepresented #LCSIntern

Please send us romance, romantic suspense, romantasy, historical, etc #MSWL #AmQuerying 50K words and up. Query using the @LCSLiterary QueryManager box. It's time to FALL in love! #Romance #BlackAuthors #Underrepresented #Amish #HistoricalRomance

My bookshelf is 50% character-driven sff/speculative/spooky, 50% realistic contemporary/historical (coming-of-age romance, mystery/thriller, action-adventure, and verse novels), mostly by BIPOC, queer, or traditionally underrepresented folks, & my taste very much reflects that.

We updated our romantic suspense guidelines last year and are actively doing outreach to find authors who are writing LGBTQ+ stories. I know that category romance in general and Harlequin in particular have not always been quick to embrace stories from underrepresented voices.

I want to represent underrepresented voices with specific interest in Latinx/Hispanic/Indigenous characters and authors. I’m looking for dynamic characters facing intersectional issues.

Fantasy is my first love, but I'd really like to see more diverse fantasy drawing from underrepresented voices/myths/folklore/worlds, etc. I'd love to see some historical fiction/fantasy/alternate history! Gothic/Horror! Spies! Heists!