WISH LIST
Right now, the categories I’m most looking to build in are adult upmarket fiction, contemporary middle grade, young adult of all genres, grounded adult fantasy, and certain romantasy. I’m always eager to see books from diverse voices.
Young Adult: This is the one category where anything goes for me. I love all genres—if it’s YA, bring it on! (I will say that I’m a particular sucker for hooky fantasy and contemporary, as well as genre blending, but I’m truly open to any YA with a strong concept.)
Middle Grade: I am open to all genres, but I’m particularly seeking contemporary middle grade that is layered, heartfelt, and centers characters with backgrounds or experiences we don’t often see on the page. Think books like SIMON SORT OF SAYS by Erin Bow or my client Jasminne Paulino’s THE EXTRAORDINARY ORBIT OF ALEX RAMIREZ.
Upmarket Fiction: I am seeking contemporary, speculative, and historical upmarket fiction that combines a propulsive plot with pervasive themes. A good example of what I’m looking for is my client Sophie Wan’s WOMEN OF GOOD FORTUNE, which on its surface is a book about a heist at a ritzy wedding, but underneath is about the complexities of friendship and the pressures society places on women.
Adult Fantasy: I am seeking grounded fantasy, meaning stories that are set in our world, or a world that doesn’t feel too far from our own. I prefer fantasy that prioritizes character, with a world building hook that can be described in one sentence. EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES by Heather Fawcett is a recent favorite and I’d love to find a book that comps to it.
Adult Romantasy: I’m seeking romantasy featuring queer, BIPOC, or otherwise underrepresented protagonists.
Adult Romance: I am seeking high-concept romance that breaks away from familiar tropes or offers genuinely fresh twists on those tropes. My favorite projects in this category are those with an action/adventure element, or that have a touch of magic or the paranormal. In this space, I am especially seeking stories that center queer characters.
Graphic Novel: I am selectively seeking middle grade and young adult graphic novel proposals that include both text and art.
Picture Book: I am selectively seeking picture books (text only or text and art) that either explore an interesting and previously unexplored topic, that bring a brand new perspective on a common childhood experience, or that are wonderfully whimsical.
Nonfiction: I am selectively seeking narrative nonfiction in the categories of pop culture and cultural criticism, as well as sports books that center women or queer athletes.
Here are some other specifics that I’m always excited to see in stories (though are by no means a requirement):
Queer characters of all kinds, and especially narratives about transgender, nonbinary, and asexual characters
Slow-burn relationships (either romance or friendship)
Genre blending
Boarding school/university settings
Theater stories
Sports and competition stories that center underrepresented characters
Dark academia
Nautical settings (ships, lighthouses, anything with ocean vibes!)
Found families
Sibling stories
Fresh takes on old classics
Unexpected subversions of familiar tropes
Stories that deal with language
Niche interests or groups
Heists
Adventures and/or books that can be described as a “romp”
I am not the best fit for:
Parody or satirical fiction
Legal or military thrillers
Please note: I view my manuscript wish list as a starting point. It’s impossible to describe every kind of book I could potentially fall in love with, especially if it’s something I couldn’t have imagined! If you aren’t seeing your book perfectly described here but you think we might be a good fit, please feel free to try me!
Submission Guidelines: Please see the DGB website for our agency’s submission guidelines.