,PLEASE NOTE: I update this MSWL occasionally. Updated 7/31

MSWL

Thank you so much for querying me. I am looking forward to reading your work. Please consider submitting to one agent at a time at Aevitas--the one who you best thinks fits your work.

I’m looking for writers of adult novels across genre, propulsive upmarket commercial fiction with very strong writing, or literary fiction with a commercial premise. This includes mystery/thriller/suspense, contemporary issues, romance for a non genre audience, historical fiction that makes sense for today's market as well as grounded speculative or near-future sci-fi. No matter the genre, I'm always interested in unputdownable novels that surprise me—the type of book you can’t wait to tell your friends about.

I am drawn to a strong voice, excellent writing, well-developed characters, a propulsive plot, emotional heft, and a strong sense of place. I am also drawn to writers in genre (or not) whose novels are often about something else—relationships, love of all kinds, an industry, a culture, a historical event—including those that help us understand ourselves and our world better. Note I'm looking for stories, not sermons.

A few writers, writing today, who I admire. If your writing is similar, get in touch:

Kate Atkinson, May Cobb, Alyssa Cole, Lily Brooks Dalton, Samantha Downing, Mark Edwards, Lisa Jewell, Claire Keegan, Peter Heller, Alma Katsu, Jessica Knoll, Danya Kukafka, Attica Locke, Jess Lourey, Charlotte McConaghy, Madeline Miller, Liz Moore, Ann Napolitano, Catherine Newman, Celeste Ng, Maggie O'Farrell, Kiley Reid, Tracey Sierra, Lisa Unger, PJ Vernon, Sarah Waters, Heather Young, and Laura Zigman.

Notes:

I strongly encourage debut writers to work with beta readers, critique partners, writing workshops and so on to develop their writing as much as possible. Building a community with other writers will be invaluable to you.

Take advantage of all the excellent resources for writers out there, many with online access. Organizations and sites like AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs), WritersHelpingWriters.net, Loft Literary Center (with online classes), Grub St., or if you have a speciality like mysteries or thrillers check out Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers (ITW), Horror--HWA (Horror Writers of America) as well as podcasts and newsletters The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing, Book Riot, The 5 a.m. Writers Club, The 7 a.m. Writers Club...there are lots more.

TIP: Read your pages aloud--no matter the genre, you'll be able to 'hear' when something isn't smooth, when it's overwritten, when you've overused a word too many times, and more.

The #1 mistake I see writers make is submitting their work to me too early and often it's because they've not received feedback from another (unbiased) reader. I expect to work with authors editorially (and enjoy the process) but I will do my best work if your manuscript is ready for me.

The #2 mistake I see debut writer make is creating an overcomplicated plot or having too many characters. As they revise, they forget that a character who may have been critical to the story in early drafts, no longer is.

The #3 mistake I see debut writers make is writing too long. An agent is there to guide you editorially but it should be in the best possible shape you can get it and that includes getting it as close to a standard word count for the type of book as possible.

I've signed many authors from querymanager. Some of these authors got passed over by many agents. It's not necessarily because I have a good eye (though I do!), it's because the authors never gave up and have continued to work on their craft and have made it so much better that when it was sent to my inbox, it was ready. If an agent gives you feedback, take it under consideration.

I don't have the capacity to respond personally to every query I receive. But if I do have any specifics that I think will be meaningful, I try to include them.