These are the genres and categories I am currently seeking.

Please do not send AI generated manuscripts.

• Fantasy/Speculative: Whether the story is set in an epic world with all-or-nothing-stakes or in a cozy spell shop with wonderfully odd creatures with low stakes, I am open to a myriad of experimental and fresh takes in the crossover blend of fantasy and speculative fiction. Some specific elements I’d immediately be drawn to include slices of life tales positioned in a non-western fantasy setting where we get to glimpse intricate magic systems, fables of old worlds, legends, folklore, and mythical beasts. I am open to witches, ghosts, ghouls, vampires, werewolves, and other paranormal entities woven in a unique narrative. I am especially intrigued by fantasy/horror mash-ups that aren’t afraid to explore body horror, sentient landscapes, or to take an interesting twist on what is magical into something more macabre (dragon horror is a niche interest at the moment, and if I were to come across the right project, I would truly be delighted!). Nature-centric fantasy worlds is another area I’d love to see more of, where the setting has a presence (such as mountains with marrow, cursed forests, hungry desserts, ravenous rain forests, etc). I would definitely be into stories that study/hunt monsters, cryptids, and other crawly creatures. Some rapid fire words/themes that I’d love to see in the fantasy/speculative realm: art magic, dark academia murder/mystery, cozy fantasy murder/mystery, neo-noir fantasy, adventure fantasy with heartfelt connections to love and friendship, botany, cartography, archeology, sciences, kingdoms that are haunted, tea magic, alchemy, fossil fantasy (excavation), Jurassic Park but transplant it into a fantasy setting, necromancy. At the moment, I’m not really enthusiastic about contemporary fiction, but if it has a strong speculative bend with unique themes and approaches, I’d be willing to give it a look.

• Historical Melds: Even though I am not looking for singular standing historical narratives, I am however open to historical melds that take place during a certain period in time for setting and social commentary through the genre tilts of fantasy/horror/speculative/gothic/romance/sword & sorcery tilt. Some specific elements I’d love to see include secret spell shops, cults, occult magic, secret societies & dark academia, strong friendships and connections to femininity, slow-burn or fast-paced romances that feature obsessed and well-developed love interests who are fierce, witty, and thought-provoking, underground cities, regency tales with splashes of horror and magic, cozy historical tales featuring ensemble casts with secrets, rivals, mystery and magic, magical animal hospitals, stories about discovery of a hidden or new world with creatures and fresh lore.

• Horror: Currently I am on the lookout for several blends in the horror genre. It is one of the primary genres that I am building my list in at the moment that sits beside fantasy and speculative. If it’s in the vein of gothic, even better. I am hungry for Elderitch horror, Femgore, Cannibalism (as a metaphor for love) or used as a shocking literary device, bubblegum horror, cozy horror, spine-tingling tales set at a summer camp (if it’s done right, I’d be open to a slasher story that comments on social structures/unpacking stereotypes and the “Final Girl”), monster horror with a fresh twist/take (especially from a non-western lens), deep sea horror (think Subnautica), forest horror, ecohorror, stories that approach horror with interesting ties to folklore, fables, and mythos, stories that make a person ‘haunted’ or creating a space for body horror/personal fears to manifest in meaningful/impactful ways that makes the reader ponder. Horror has many facets, some that might be uglier than most, but that is what I love about it. I love the weird, the uncanny, the grotesque. If your work has any of the aforementioned, please send it my way. If I missed something and you’re on the fence, send it anyway. Finding new & exciting horrors is what keeps me alive!

• Fables & Folklore: I’m open to re-imaginings with unique twists. I am particularly looking for non-western works at this time, and would love to immerse myself in worlds not yet explored.

• Cozy Mysteries: If your work has small-town settings, familial artifacts with mysterious superstitions, and unique landscapes, I’d love to see it in my inbox. I’ve been getting into a lot of cozy vibes lately, and I’d love to see more cozy mysteries sent my way with a focus on gothic, magical realism, family, romance, and friendships.

• Mystery/Thriller: In the vein of YA mystery/thriller, I’d love to see an ensemble of unreliable characters, or the themes that relate to culinary, fashion, art, or academic rivalry with a dash of deep-seated yearning. I want to feel like I have to keep turning the page, always grasping in the dark for answers that are just out of reach until it is too late. Locked Room/Whodunnits are welcome. The more messy/complex the mystery/murder the better!

• Fantasy: In YA, I’m looking for fully developed worlds with lush settings, intricate magic systems (non-western based), characters who are absolutely feral & unhinged (especially when they have a specific motive in mind), villains who are more than just love interests (villains who are fully realized with lots of interesting lore), romance that burns brighter than an eternal flame, creatures & monsters that pose a real threat and have interesting/unique origins, environmental fantasy that blends horror and speculative, soft fantasy that focuses on friendships, romance, and family, dark fantasy that doesn’t shy away from important topics/themes that need more exploration, fantasy that has thought-provoking political systems, and fresh takes on fairy tales.

• Horror: In YA horror, I am looking for ensemble characters who investigate haunted buildings/manors and discover hidden meanings/messages that reflect their own growth and navigation of self, bubblegum horror, gothic horror, exploration of themes relating to a “haunting” that can take place in the woods or burial ground, lovecraftian horror, monster horror, man-made horrors that pertain to environmentalism and body horror, the occult, quiet horror, and paranormal elements that are fresh and take a unique turn on the familiar mythos.

• Environmental/Nature Sciences: I am a huge advocate for environmental conservation and preservation, especially with such a fast shifting climate. I would absolutely love to see more nature-centric stories with characters that share an interest in exploring and learning about the world and its important ecosystems. From swampy bayous, to cold arctics, jungles, and desserts, I want narratives that aren’t afraid to provide tantalizing experiences within nature. This includes adding textures, sounds, tastes, and thoughtful approaches to navigating the natural world. I also crave art that reflects these explorations, cultivating an educational bend that can be used for current and future generations to come. At the moment, I am not on the lookout for lyrical or rhyming picture books.

• Spooky/Halloween: I would love to see more creepy and fun PBs that carry impactful and lighthearted messages that relate to unique fears/phobias and delve into the topics in a thoughtful way. I am open to new monster stories/fables translated into a PB structure. A PB story that explores cryptids, monster hunting, or introducing new folklore is very much welcome.

• STEAM: I am on the lookout for PBs that amalgamate STEAM elements that show growth, have a positive message, and have strong commercial characters that will easily resonate with kids. I am also looking for stories that intricately weave in cultural/heritage blends with artful illustrations that compliment the narrative, stories with linguistics/phonics/syntax, sciences, art, maths, and unique approaches to social topics.

Across all genres, I’m open to traditional graphic novels, graphic memoirs, and graphic nonfiction for all age categories. Please note I am currently only open to reviewing graphic novel submissions created by author/illustrators (a sole creator writing and illustrating the book). I am interested to see graphic novels with pages and panels that make use of the visual format to tell an authentic story.

Specific Genres that I’m looking for at the moment are: Fantasy, Horror, Speculative, blends of contemporary and cultural YA/Adult LGBTQ+ and #OwnVoices narratives.

Some of my favourite graphic works include:

the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman, Squad by Maggie Takuda-Hall, The Sheets series by Brenna Thummler, any and all works by the talented Aminder Dhaliwal, The Monstress series by Marjorie Liu, Nimona by ND Stevenson, Through the Woods by Emily Carroll, The Tea Dragon Society and The Moth Keeper by Kay O'Neill, Garlic and The Vampire by Bree Paulsen, The Girl From The Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag, This Place: 150 Years Retold collection, and more.

For graphic novels submissions, please do NOT send sexual/explicit materials (on the lines of erotica), hardcore violence, gore, or superheroes.

Guidelines on how to Submit Graphic Novel Materials:

Please upload the first 20 pages of your completed graphic novel project with art/illustration samples by pasting a direct link in the sample pages section of the query form (Dropbox links are preferred).

If you think your work is a fit for my list, feel free to send me your query below!