MSWL

I am a new literary agent Mansion Street Literary Management. I have strong negotiation skills from my years working as a realtor and great editorial abilities from teaching English for over a decade. My tastes tend to skew commercial and upmarket, but I like some literary works as well. I would like to build a list featuring big-concept commercial fiction series and standalone novels in the PB, MG, YA, NA, and Adult genres.

Speculative fiction has my heart. I’m particularly drawn to grounded or low fantasy books where the magical word exists within or parallel to our own. Character development needs to be paramount in any novel I read, but a tightly built world with an ironclad plot makes the story realistic for me.

I am enthusiastic about MG fiction. I love the innocence of this age group as well as the fresh emotions. I am drawn more to upper MG and like stories that avoid “teaching lessons” but respect the MG reader and allow them to draw their own conclusions. I believe this age group needs to explore some darkness in their reading and that this can be done in a way that honors the MG reader. I like when that darkness is also balanced with some humor, whimsy, and lightheartedness. I’m also open to different formats in an MG whether that be multi-POV or expository writing. While issues books have their purpose and are important, I believe this genre needs more books centered around escapism and that is where I’d like to focus. MG readers can also use diversions from reality so that they can explore new worlds while processing their own.

In YA and NA, I’m looking for intricate worldbuilding and a plot that leads to fans theorizing what will happen next. One where the writer weaves both clues and red herrings throughout the novel that lead to an “aha” moment where everything connects for the reader/main character in a way they may not have seen coming. I like some romance in these genres, but it’s not required. I also like fairytale retellings when they are unique. I’m mainly drawn to fantasy, but also enjoy time-travel and historical fiction. A hooky mystery/thriller will entice me as will a contemporary with an unusual main character. Occasionally, I read women’s lit as well.

I enjoy PB that delight children and have adults giggling as well. I want artist/illustrators who can balance the importance of text and art. I like both non-fiction and fiction picture books.

I am hoping to work with authors from all backgrounds. I believe in diversity in books and would love to represent people from all walks of life.

Not A Good Fit For:

Space operas (I generally don’t gravitate towards stories set in space), Fantasy with overly detailed descriptions (I will get lost in them), Issue books, Intentionally sappy stories, Graphic novels (at this point in time), Animal Fantasy. Definitely do not query me with work that includes any racist or sexist themes. I do not want to read stories centered around abuse.

***AT THE MOMENT: I AM ONLY WORKING ON BUILDING MY ADULT/NA ROMANCE LIST(all sub-genres) and PB LIST. I am listing my YA/MG interests for the future, but I am not open to queries in those categories just yet. I will update here when I am.***

Books I’ve Enjoyed

These are some books I’ve loved, but please note that in the past few years I have been reading a lot of unpublished manuscripts, so it is not an all encompassing list. I like both dark and light elements in books, literary/upmarket/and commercial stories, heartfelt and humorous as well as intense and dramatic. I enjoy unique formats— epistolary, multi-pov, non-linear, etc. These are just examples, but point being, if you think I might enjoy it, please query. Fun and quirky books are very much welcome in my inbox!

PB:

Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus- for a text that encourages interaction with readers

Strega Nona- Yes, it’s long, but I love the culture infused in this story.

Bony Legs- My favorite childhood book, and I adore folklore.

Dragons Love Tacos- for the humor that keeps kids turning the pages.

The Fart That Lied- for the silliness that made my niece laugh non-stop.

The Bad Seed- for the theme about self-improvement

MG:

Amari and The Night Brothers- for the secret society within our world and the way it draws on folklore in a very commercial way

Nevermoor- I love that it has some of the same themes as Harry Potter without being derivative/has its own quirkiness

Pages and Co- for the bookish setting and coziness

The Book of Stolen Dreams- for the lemony Snicket style narration and its parallels to WWII/The Holocaust written in a way that respects children while not talking down to them

The Skeleton Flute- for the spooky vibes mixed with a classic fairytale that at times reminded me of Stranger Things

Because of Mr. Terupt- for the multipov and found family

YA:

Sky In The Deep- I love that the setting is based on a primitive Viking world but that the main character’s desires are relatable to a modern aduience

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants- for characters that are connected in a unique way

A Curse So Dark and Lonely- for the realistic disability rep in a fairytale retelling

The Book Thief- for the unusual POV to explain a historical setting and for its use of symbolism

NA/Adult:

Fourth Wing- I enjoy the romance aspect but am pulled along for the intricate plotting and theorizing that happens due to Violet’s limited POV.

Outlander- for the majestic Scottish setting, time-travel aspects, and historical events, but I’d like something with faster pace and less detail.

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue- for the beautifully poetic prose

The Mistress of Rome- for the unique pov in this historical setting

Divine Rivals- for the atmospheric writing and enemies-to-lovers trope

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper- for quirkiness of the adventure and main character

Mornings With Rosemary- for the unique friendship/shared goal

Eight Hundred Grapes- for the “finding oneself” theme and cozy setting

Not A Good Fit For:

Space operas (I generally don’t gravitate towards stories set in space), Fantasy with overly detailed descriptions (I will get lost in them), Issue books, Intentionally sappy stories, Graphic novels (at this point in time), Animal Fantasy. Definitely do not query me with work that includes any racist or sexist themes. I do not want to read stories centered around abuse.

---

Shows I’ve Enjoyed

Wednesday, Game of Thrones, Outlander, Ted Lasso, The Crown, Arrested Development, Sopranos, Seinfeld, Ghosts, Younger, Jane the Virgin, Emily in Paris, The Amazing Race, Survivor, Stranger Things, Blood of My Blood.

Fun Facts About Me