• General fiction with romantic elements, humorous women’s fiction, Southern fiction, high-concept commercial fiction

• A historical novel about a unique culture or time period

• YA and MG of all stripes

• Prescriptive nonfiction in areas of wellness, diet, finance/investing business, gardening, cooking, pop culture, personal development, Net culture, and unusual subjects explored brilliantly

• Fantasy/women’s fiction that straddles the genres lyrically, i.e. Time Traveler’s Wife and The Night Circus

• Upmarket women’s fiction

• Suspense/thrillers

• I am looking to add new nonfiction authors. Please send me your True Crime, Lifestyle, Cooking & Diet, How-to, Pop Culture, Humor, Parenting, Narrative, and Advice/ Relationship. I am really looking forward to seeing new material.

• I would love to see more historical women’s fiction exploring unique moments in history with a strong sense of place. Fiona Davis, Chanel Cleeton, and Ariel Lawhon are all wonderful examples of the type of story that will grab my attention.

• On the contemporary side of the women’s fiction spectrum, I want stories that will speak to readers personally—characters who will get in your head and give you reason for personal reflection. I love contemporary suburban dramadies (think Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty or even the modern classic Little Children by Perrotta). I’m also always interested in sweeping family dramas that bridge over into the commercial space, such as Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng or All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin. I loved The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg, and This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.

• I love stories with strong Southern themes. To me this means an overwhelming sense of another time (even if it’s in a contemporary novel), a place steeped in ancient traditions and family expectations, unique cultural oddities, and loveliness.

• Fictionalized stories featuring hot topics in the news, and/or from the daily realities of modern pop culture, also interest me.

• In Romance I’m looking for contemporary romantic comedies in an urban setting. I know I’m one of many, but The Hating Game has been at the top of my favorites list for a while. I also like stories featuring strong “underdog” modern heroines. In my view this can take a lot of directions: someone from a marginalized background, someone with an uncommon upbringing, a person who has overcome all the odds, etc.

• I’m a big fan of domestic suspense, but it would really have to be a stand-out in this currently crowded space to grab my attention. It must have high stakes, a sympathetic protagonist, and a unique and yet easy-to-spot hook.

• I’m also growing my list in the nonfiction space. I’m interested in narrative, prescriptive, and gift nonfiction in a vast arena spanning from true crime (think Missoula by Jon Krakauer or Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann), pop culture, motivational/self-help, how-to, female empowerment, humor (especially humorous memoir), diet, platform-driven social media brands, modern parenting, and lifestyle, to name a few.

• Beyond the above specific parameters, I love stories featuring animals (okay, starring animals!), cooking/food/wine, world travel, secret or underground societies, “clubs” of all sorts (knitting, book, widows, etc.), weddings, vacation spots, and sports-influence.

• My list is incredibly full at the moment. Still, I can’t bring myself to stop reading anything with a unique premise, particularly involving concepts that are relevant to the sociopolitical challenges of today, and especially works from diverse voices.

• Voice- and character-driven fiction told with strong pacing and engaging plot twists; stories that inspire and make me think

• Mainstream/upmarket fiction with magic or other genre tropes/crossover appeal, such as Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, or Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

• #ownvoices and diverse projects where the diversity is not necessarily the main thrust of the story

• Complex female characters dealing with family dynamics, romance, and own identity

• Late 19th and early 20th century fiction set in the U.S./Europe/Latin America; dual-timeline narratives; alternate histories such as Jo Walton’s Farthing or Mary Robinette Kowal’s The Calculating Stars

• Would love something—could be fantasy, romance, YA, or historical fiction—featuring a hero of dubious moral fiber/antihero; think pirates, highwaymen, corporate raiders, double agents, or former spies who haven’t quite retired

• High concept/breakout romance with a strong narrative running alongside the road to HEA

• Multi-layered adventure/puzzle narrative, in the vein of Katherine Neville’s The Eight, that’s not simply a mystery novel

• YA with a dark fairytale atmosphere that’s not a direct retelling, such as Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood or Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw; contemporary high- school based stories with psychological twists; charming, sweet romance intertwined with bigger life issues; and historical fiction featuring teens taking on tasks/roles unusual for their age.

• MG featuring strong friendships or large families of siblings, neighborhood adventures, humorous misadventures, and fantasy/paranormal adventures in real- world setting—either contemporary or historical.

• Thrillers with a female protagonist

• Historical fiction set during either World War I or World War II, or historical fiction about the Romanovs.

• Cozy mystery with an innovative approach—no paranormal elements.

• A humorous MG with a female detective protagonist

• I’m always looking for YA and MG with amazing voices and unique concepts.

• I’m also interested in thrillers and suspense with female protagonists.

• I don’t usually like high fantasy, but I’d love to find something in the sci-fi area that’s really high concept and well-written.

• I’ll take a look at any genre if the story takes place in unique locations with which the author has first-hand experience, particularly Asia.

• I'm actively looking for new talent to add to my list, both debut authors and fan favorites!

• On the adult side, I’m interested in high-concept women’s fiction that features protagonists overcoming something other than divorce or the death of a child/spouse, thrillers with book-club appeal, and rom-coms with wonderful urban settings.

• For children’s, I’m seeking young adult and middle grade, and am open to most genres, including fantasy, contemporary, historical, and magical realism.

• I'd love to see more #ownvoices projects. As always, a unique voice, strong hook and a diverse cast of characters are always a must.

• I’m eager to find well-crafted stories with tight pacing; authentic, diverse characters (especially by #ownvoices authors); distinctive voices; and above all, big, imaginative concepts.

• I love books demonstrating the strength of women, books that make me laugh out loud, and books about socially relevant topics.

• I’m fatigued with romance and women’s fiction submissions that seem to be treading the same paths, so something unique would be fantastic.

• I’m definitely in the mood for a romantic comedy or a humorous cozy mystery with a fresh setting.

• For YA, I’d love to see suspense or mystery that is dark and twisty, or fantasies with strong worldbuilding and exciting new concepts. More than anything, I want to be surprised.