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 storyline, 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. Only submit to one agent at a time. 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
WISH LIST
Nonfiction
Young Adult
- Fantasy
- Science Fiction
- Action/Adventure
- Contemporary
- Magical Realism
- Mystery/Thriller
- Horror
Ella Marie Shupe
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.
Kaitlyn Katsoupis
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
Amy Giuffrida
WISH LIST
In all fiction, I am a sucker for messy and unlikeable characters, unreliable narrators, diverse casts, undercurrents of social commentary, and twists I couldn’t possibly see coming. On the opposite side of the spectrum, I love swoon-worthy characters and stories that are joyful and tender-hearted—it’s hard to make me laugh or cry, but if you have a story that will do either or both…I’d love to see it!
I am especially passionate about stories with a feminist slant and about representing Latinx and BIPOC voices, so please send me your diverse #OwnVoice stories.
YA
High-stakes with depth that explores self-discovery, family, culture, identity, mental health—can have romantic elements and be cozy.
- Horror
- Grounded sci-fi/fantasy
- Gothic
NEW ADULT and ADULT
ROMANCE – with big, HUGE feelings that make me laugh and cry, big twists, and spice. I am not considering romantasy at this time.
- Horror-romance, paranormal romance, dark romance (with consent), historical romance, and contemporary romance
WOMEN’S FICTION – Love, loss, grief, trauma, family secrets, culture, traditions,
- Upmarket, Commercial, Book Club
HORROR/SPECULATIVE FICTION – with depth that explores self-discovery, trauma, feminism, culture, identity, and genre blends encouraged! I am not considering romantasy at this time.
- Horror
- Southern/Appalachian Gothic
- Grounded Sci-Fi/Fantasy
THRILLERS
NON-FICTION – Looking for authors who have a social media platform, experience, and a unique hook. I am not considering memoirs/biographies at this time.
- Advice/Relationships/Self-Help
- Food/Beverage
- Lifestyle
- Narrative
- How-To
I am a NO for:
Fairy tale retellings and princes & princesses
Pandemic, virus, and military-based stories
Screenplays, novellas, short story collections/anthologies
Previously self-published work
Stories that are heavy on: religion, suicide, rape/sexual abuse, child abuse, animal cruelty
Syrone Harvey
WISH LIST
Across the board, I am currently focused on finding stories with strong diverse and multi-cultural voices. I am drawn towards picture books filled with humor, whimsy, heartfelt, make-me-giggle storytelling, and fun, SEL concepts. In middle-grade fiction, YA fiction, graphic novels, I’m eagerly seeking strong, distinct voices, multi-dimensional characters, compelling stories of friendships, coming-of-age, emotional angst, family saga. Throw in a little fun, adventure, humor, edginess and overall engaging. If you think your MS might be a good fit, feel free to query me.
Picture Books
Middle Grade
Young Adult
I am eagerly seeking diverse, underrepresented voices and perspectives. In Adult fiction I’m looking for rich, compelling, character-driven stories, multi-layered, realistic characters. In Contemporary Romance, Christian Fiction I’m craving a sweet, inspirational, compelling story. I am partial to contemporary but will consider carefully crafted historical. In all areas I am looking for unique voices and deep, edgy storylines that evoke around-the-table conversations. Books that are gripping, heartfelt and highly relatable. Stories of faith, redemption and forgiveness that hook me after the first few pages. Some humor, fun and adventure would be enticing. If you’re not sure if your book fits one of my must-have categories, query me anyway. I may consider it if it’s a fit.
Adult
- Contemporary Fiction
- Christian Fiction
- Family Saga
- Historical Fiction
- Literary Fiction
- Contemporary Romance
- Women’s Fiction
- Funny Women’s Fiction
- Humor/Satire
- Commercial
- Multicultural
Morgan Wilson
WISH LIST
I am dedicated to supporting marginalized voices and focused on increasing the representation of those voices in the publishing industry. I am only open to receiving work from authors who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, ND, and/or DIS. Please note that I will not ask you to disclose your marginalization unless you feel comfortable doing so.
I am open to the following age groups and genres:
In Both Adult and YA I am Looking For:
Fantasy
- I am more interested in stories that break conventional western methods, however I am open to western stories written by historically marginalized voices.
- I love most subgenres but in Adult my preferences lean towards cozy fantasy like Travis Baldree or Delemhach, blends like sci fantasy, romantasy or fantasy with horror elements and contemporary/urban fantasy like Whitney Hill.
- I would also love to see queernorm fantasy worlds and accessible fantasies!
- I am aching for something that feels very D&D or revolves around a group of D&D players! (no toxic DMs though please!)
- For YA Fantasy I would love to see more retellings, cozy fantasy and blends like sci fantasy and romantasy, or stories with strong horror elements.
- Wishlist: A fantasy (YA or Adult) with an MC full of rage and doing the wrong things for the right reasons/willing to do anything to get their goal etc, I’d love for the MC to be the ‘villain’ at the end
Science Fiction
- I am more interested in stories that contain hard science, or extrapolations on current science.
- I love stories set in space or involve space travel, cli-fi, are blended with horror or set after an apocalypse.
- I would love some science fiction horror in the vein of Mira Grant or SA Barnes.
- A sci-fi set on another world that focuses on the people/culture of that world and NOT on humans would be amazing.
- A sweet sci-fi romance is high on my list right now!
- Wishlist: I am a huge Alien universe fan and would love something in this vein!
Horror
- I am interested in almost all forms of horror, but am not the best fit for hauntings or ghosts (but I am still willing to take a look at them!).
- I love monsters and sentient forests/waters/natural settings and things that are more psychological than physical (though that is fine too).
- I do enjoy body horror, but am not a fan of gratuitous gore.
- Wishlist: A fresh take on zombies, make it terrifying!
Romantasy
- I am most interested in queer romantasy.
- I would love a romantasy set in a queernorm world that involves an adventure or D&D esque adventuring party.
- Wishlist: A YA or Adult romantasy with a trans or nonbinary MC and/or disability rep!
YA Paranormal or Mystery
- I am open to paranormal and mystery in YA ONLY
- I’m very keen on finding stories based on indigenous myths/creatures/lore etc told by indigenous authors.
- I am still not the best for hauntings or ghosts unless it is connected to the above bullet point.
Middle Grade:
Fantasy
- I love all things fantasy with middle grade but would love to see dragons and other magical creatures set in our world, witches and magical schools with diverse casts!
Science Fiction
- Please give me kids in space, on other worlds, meeting (and keeping) new animals!
Horror
- I love all things horror in middle grade, but would especially love haunted houses/schools, monster hunting and sentient natural settings!
Graphic Novels (All Age Categories):
I am also open to graphic novels especially if they are fantasy, science fiction or horror. Some of my recent favorites have been Lore Olympus and Mooncakes and I love manga-inspired art, but am not a good fit for noir art styles.
Anti-MSWL
These are things I do not want to read so please do not send them to me!
- On page rape or sexual assault
- On page child abuse (references to/mentions of are okay!)
- Any military fiction or military based story line
- Pro-cop story lines
- Abusive love interests (that the MC ends up with at the end)
- School Shootings
- On page violence/murder against/of a pregnant person and/or infant
Not For Me (These are other agents’ favorite tropes/books but they’re not for me!):
- Superheroes
- Any nonfiction
- Women’s Fiction
- Talking Animals
- “I Can Fix Him” storylines
- Chapter books
Tropes (and other things) I Love:
- Found family, friends to lovers, rivals to lovers, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine or stabby/cinnamon roll, there’s only one bed, slow burn, anti heroes, morally gray main characters, main characters descending into darkness, outbreaks/contagions, apocalypses, anything where the food is Studio Ghibli-esque, meet cutes at bookstores/coffee shops
Favorite Books/Movies/TV Shows (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Books: House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson, Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer, Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean, Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli, Cafe Con Lychee by Emery Lee, The Luminaries by Susan Dennard, Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology, The Do’s and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar, Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant, You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron (or anything by her really), Small Favors by Erin A Craig, Witchlings by Claribel Ortega, The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix, An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson, Elemental by Whitney Hill, Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, Overgrowth by Mira Grant (and lots more)
- Movies: Parasite, Alien, Anything Studio Ghibli but especially Nausicaa, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away, Lisa Frankenstein, Queen of the Damned, The Invitation, Night Teeth, Vampires V The Bronx, Midsommar, Jurassic Park, Lord of the Rings, The Princess Bride, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Predator, Wish Dragon, the entire 28 Days Later series
TV Shows: All of Us Are Dead, Mr Midnight: Beware the Monsters, Yu Yu Hakusho, Cowboy BeBop, Gravity Falls, Over the Garden Wall, Good Omens, 1899, The Silent Sea, Midnight Mass, The Last of US, Alien: EarthI
Tasneem Motala
WISH LIST
Across all categories I am exclusively looking for works from marginalized authors, especially under the BIPOC umbrella! This includes authors and illustrators who might identify under any of these marginalizations: LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent, or Disabled/Differently Abled. This is an honour-system, but if you feel comfortable with it then you have the option of disclosing your specifics in my QueryManager form.
Poetry
See current poetry clients, Casey Aimer and Ellen Chang-Richardson, for examples!
- Genre-specific poetry, using the tropes and conceits of a specific literary genre as a lens through which to see and process the world.
- Very interested in visual poetry and experimentation with layout, spacing, and formatting.
Picture Books
- Cute, funny, or both!
- Would love stories with factual backmatter that feeds kids curiosity and wonder about the world.
- Contemporary stories that focus on feelings of adventure in the mundane or accomplishment in simplicity (akin to the Netflix series Old Enough).
Graphic Novels
This category includes basically everything I put in the genre sections, so check those out! But here are two I’d love for GNs specifically:
- Something that’s politically/socially critical while also being a huge ironic parody of capitalism, privilege, and/or class wars (Crowded, Neo Yokio, Glass Onion).
- Slice of Life with an underlying mystery (Supernatural?? Aliens?? Ghosts?? Murders??) that gets more intense and focused as the story progresses (Dandadan or Grave Seasons).
Contemporary (MG/YA + Adult)
- Stories that revolve around a physical or virtual game made possible with new technology, and the people who play them (The King’s Avatar, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Beyblade)
- That crossover period between graduating high school and becoming an adult where life is equally great (independence!!) and terrible (responsibility…).
- Protagonists with really niche and specific hobbies and interests (someone who’s besties with their hamster, or is obsessed with horology, etc).
- Sports Anime Vibes! (Haikyu!!).
Fantasy (MG/YA + Adult)
- Lesser known folklore and fairy tale retellings, including those with mythical creatures.
- Contemporary-based, like KPOP Demon Hunters, Fantasy High, or All of Us Villains.
- Very interested in seeing more stuff in the LitRPG space
Science Fiction (YA + Adult)
- Stories that delve into afrofuturism, the various “punks” (such as cyber, steam, and solar), and the exploration of humanity from marginalized perspectives.
- BIG MECH SUITS (Pacific Rim and Gurren Lagann).
- Utopian facades that hide society-shattering secrets.
Romance (YA + Adult)
Some dynamics and things I’ve been searching for:
- A+ Student/Degenerate Trash (My Little Monster, All of Our Demise)
- Neurodivergent relationships (Extraordinary Attorney Woo)
- Gaming, whether professionally or casually (Falling Into Your Smile and Love 020)
- One is convinced they’re a monster, literally or metaphorically.
Anti-MSWL
- Animal characters in picture books used in a racially metaphorical way
- Any narratives that are pro-cop or pro-Zionist
- Contemporary books with a heavy focus on real world current events, politics, and social issues
- Death Tournaments
- Epic Fantasy or Space Operas
- Erotica
- Greek/Roman mythology retellings
- Memoirs or Self-Help
- Screenplays or Scripts
- Worldbuilding that mainly or exclusively uses England as a reference