We love fiction with superb writing and a voice that jumps off the page. A twisted or colorful plot that compels us to keep reading is a must.
We look for a unique voice and a strong protagonist that a reader can relate to whether it be commercial or literary. We like dark and intense, but we won’t turn away something that’s a little on the lighter side. We enjoy a touch of humor when the genre demands it.
Profound young adult with a memorable protagonist is a must. A thought-provoking read, big writing, an entertaining story line, and a fast pace will get our attention.
***We use Query Manager. Please read each agent’s wish list to find the agent that best matches your manuscript genre. Then use the Submit a Story button and that will take you to the query form. Thank you.
Send a query to one of our Agents:
Sharon Belcastro
Her love of books goes back to early childhood where some of her fondest memories were spent with Gulliver in Lilliput and Ishmael and his voyage on the Pequod…Learn More
WISH LIST
Nonfiction
Young Adult
- Fantasy
- Science Fiction
- Action/Adventure
- Contemporary
- Magical Realism
- Mystery/Thriller
- Horror
Ella Marie Shupe
Ella Marie has been a literary agent since 2008. She was drawn to helping authors achieve their dreams after she studied English at Youngstown State University…Learn More
WISH LIST
Adult
- Mysteries
- Thrillers/Suspense
- Historical
Young Adult
- Thriller/Suspense
- Mystery/Detective
- Historical
I am always looking for diverse authors. I love fast-paced stories that keep me on the edge of my seat.
Cortney Radocaj
Cortney grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and after spending her undergraduate years in downtown Manhattan at NYU…Learn More
WISH LIST
Adult
- Fantasy
- Horror
- Romance
- Contemporary
- Novels in Verse
- Graphic Novels
Young Adult
- Thriller
- Fantasy
- Horror
- Contemporary
- Sci-Fi
- Novels in Verse
- Graphic Novels
Cortney is NOT accepting:
- MG
- Children’s/Picture Books
- Parody/satire
- Crime/detective fiction
- Mysteries
- Political/military/spy thrillers
- Non-fiction
- Novellas, short story collections, poetry collections, or screenplays
Regardless of genre or age category, I am always actively looking for and prioritizing marginalized authors—disabled, BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent, etc.—and love to see books that deal with the issues marginalized groups face as well as books that simply allow them to exist, have adventures, and be joyful. My MSWL page can be viewed here, and my Spotify MSWL can be found here.
Kaitlyn Katsoupis
After receiving a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, Kaitlyn refused to leave the concept of nightly homework behind….Learn More
WISH LIST
Historical Fiction
- All ages
- Not a huge fan of Henry VIII, Shakespeare, roman/greek legends and retellings
- Would love non-Western world setting and situations
- Would love some with a humor bend but open to the dark and decadent as well
Horror
- All ages
- Less gore, more psychological/haunting
- LOVE ghosts
- Would love lesser known creatures/legends (think vast stretch of shows like Grimm)
- Horror Media I love: sinister, the conjuring, Cabin in the Woods, Yellowjackets, A Quiet Place, Hereditary, Oculus, Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass
- For MG, would love Goosebumps vibe; also enjoy feels like Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, Coraline, Corpse Bride, The Pagemaster. The Curse of Bridge Hollow
Contemporary
- All ages
- Dark, light, fun, sad, gimme!
- Love to find LGBTQ+ storylines
- Interested in mental health angles
- Enjoy romance, though it doesn’t need to be central
- Enemies to lovers, rivals to friends or lovers, sibling rivalry/loyalty stories
- Still looking for an escape room story!
Fantasy
- All ages (heavier on MG/YA & crossover)
- Very selective at the moment
- Looking for marginalized/BIPOC voices and settings/POVs
- Not a fit for fae/fairies, elves, trolls/ogres/orcs, or most werewolves
- Into vampires (Buffy always!) but need it to be super unique and strong writing
Suspense/Thriller
- YA & Adult
- Think gothic, spooky, and psychological
- Not into Crime fiction or procedurals
- Craving a locked room concept (whether contemporary, historical, or paranormal!)
Graphic Novel
- All ages, though hunting for more kid lit
- Interested in mental health stories, humorous MG, queer relationships, quirky casts and found families, and harrowing creatures/survival plots
- Hoping for commercial hooks on MG titles
For all ages, I really want historical that focuses on perspectives and places not in the mainstream. Give me legends, myths, events, battles that aren’t the everyday titles we see all the time. I’m not huge on retellings unless it’s in-depth and really makes me dig to figure out what story we’re rediscovering. I also really want more LGBTQ+ storylines and mental health themes and love stories where the people are just PEOPLE and it doesn’t have to be expressly about an issue.
Kaitlyn is NOT accepting
– Nonfiction
– Chapter or picture books
– Romantic Suspense
– Novellas, poetry, or short story collections
– Storylines heavily dependent on religious motives/events/themes
– Storylines heavily dependent on sexual/physical/drug abuse
Hannah VanVels Ausbury
Hannah’s life is consumed by all things bookish, and when she’s not working on books, she can usually be found curled up with a good cup of coffee or a glass of wine…..Learn More
WISH LIST
Picture Books
- Fiction
- Nonfiction focusing on biographies or eras that have been historically overlooked
Middle Grade
- Historical (focusing on BIPOC stories and historically marginalized voices and characters)
- Contemporary
- Fantasy
- Adventure
- Horror or paranormal
Young Adult
- Contemporary
- Fantasy
- Thrillers
- Horror
- Science Fiction
New Adult/ Adult
- Romcom
- Horror
- Fantasy
I’m actively building an inclusive list with a variety of voices and genres. I love working with #OwnVoices authors, and I’m looking for voices from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, regardless of genre.
Amy Giuffrida
After Amy earned her BA at the University of Kutztown and a M.Ed. from Lock Haven University, she incorporated her love of reading and books with being a middle…Learn More
WISH LIST
Nonfiction
If you have a strong platform and love what you do, feel free to pitch me a concept.
- Narrative non-fiction
- Business/Social Media/Tech/Cooking books for teens
- Blogger cookbooks
- Popculture
Middle Grade
- Contemporary
Young Adult
- Contemporary
- Horror
- Thriller
Adult
- Book Club/Commercial Fiction
- Historical Fiction with commercial appeal
- Literary Upmarket Fiction
- Romantasy
- Paranormal Romance
- Speculative Fiction w/a unique hook
Amy is NOT accepting
-
- Contemporary romance
- Pandemic stories
- Zombies
- Summer camp stories
- Stories set in space
- Military, Political, or Medical-based stories
- Novellas, short story collections, screenplays
- Previously self-published work
- Chapter books
- Stories that include: religious themes, suicide, rape, physical/mental abuse, sexual abuse
In all fiction, I am a sucker for dysfunctional families, messy and unlikeable characters, unreliable narrators, diverse casts, undercurrents of social commentary, and twists I couldn’t possibly see coming. I am passionate about stories with a feminist slant and about representing under or misrepresented voices.
In YA, I am searching for diverse characters that star in stories like The Bear, but with teens working in the restaurant business. Stories with teen hackers or card hustlers – underground, backroom, illegal card games. A modern and unique twist on The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in would be exciting to see. The only sports stories I would be intrigued to see would be bowling, ping pong, tennis, and swimming – especially if there is a friendship break-up story. And if you have anything along the lines of The Sex Lives of College Girls – please send my way! Don’t forget…I love stories that are joyful, but also can’t resist those angsty and gritty ones. And lastly, for horror, I love stories fraught with social commentary, as well as tension-filled psychological horror. Literary or lyrical, please send it my way.
Carey Blankenship-Kramer
After growing up surrounded by books and people who loved to read them, Carey dreamed of bringing more books to the hands of avid readers like herself. She graduated from Berry College with a dual degree in English and Creative Writing. She later received her master’s…Learn More
Specifics Across All Genres and Age Groups:
If you have a strong platform and love what you do, feel free to pitch me a concept.
- #1: Diverse stories from Ownvoices.
- HORROR. Horror, horror, horror! If you have something remotely spooky, Carey wants to see it.
- Neurodiversity rep. As someone with ADHD, anxiety, and depression, neurodiversity is extremely important to Carey.
- Queer stories, especially those with happy endings.
- Quiet, coming of age stories for MG audiences, especially if the word count is on the smaller side with a twinge of magic.
- Stories with animal sidekicks / main characters / or just fluffy pals. Especially horses.
- Video game stories.
- Dragons! Or anything with mythological creatures.
- Tennis centered books.
- Stories set in the South.
Middle Grade
- Adventure
- Contemporary
- Fantasy
- Graphic Novel
- Historical
- Horror
- Mystery
- Paranormal
- Science Fiction
- Literally everything. Carey LOVES Middle Grade.
Young Adult
- Adventure
- Contemporary
- Fantasy
- Graphic Novel
- Horror
- Mystery
- Paranormal
- Science Fiction
New Adult/Adult
- Contemporary
- Fantasy
- Horror
- Mystery
- Romance
- Science Fiction
Carey is NOT accepting
-
- Nonfiction
- Stories where the animals die. I’m so sorry, I am weak and cannot handle it.
Above all, I am committed to building a list that is diverse and represents children from all backgrounds and lifestyles. I am always on the hunt for #Ownvoices and am dedicated to supporting those communities however I can.