Moe Ferrara

I’m interested in fictional works for all ages, including picture books, middle-grade, young adults, and adult readers (plus graphic novels in the kidlit space!). My list skews heavily toward children’s fiction, but I’m on the hunt for select authors in the adult space. Favorite genres include contemporary, fantasy & fabulism, horror, retellings, romance & rom-coms, light Sci-Fi and anything LGBTQIA-centric.

I’m particularly drawn to books with pain-in-the-ass main characters, dark and creepy settings with lyrical voices, and books with well-thought out twists and turns. SciFi should be easily accessible and horror should not make me need to keep the lights on! Send me your LGBTQ+ books that are about more than just a coming out story. I’m proud to represent numerous LGBTQ+ authors, and always looking to add more BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and disabled voices to my list.

I am not a good fit for upmarket/literary fiction, cozy mysteries, true crime, women’s fiction, high fantasy, hard sci-fi, or inspirational romances.

The most important thing to remember is this is not an exhaustive list of what I’m looking for! Overall I want to find a strong voice and characters I fall in love with and so often that comes from books I never knew I wanted. Strong hooks that I can’t put down. Things that have me tapping my iPad until 3AM when I curse that my battery has died 5 pages from the end.

Picture Books:

• Anything in the LGBT+ space — especially if you have something like Jack (Not Jackie)!
• Humor. Especially in the smart-but-side-splittingly-funny vein. (Also puns for days, just saying.)

Middle Grade:

• Still looking for that great adventure novel with a humorous and accessible voice. Bonus points if there are puzzles kids get to solve along with your main character!
• A creepy and lyrical manuscript a la Coraline. Something with gorgeous world building and has a tone I want to get lost in and never return from (AKA, send me your dream worlds or your creepy carnivals with a twist).
• I love books that feature kids getting into trouble and having to solve everything before their parents get home!
• I really want to find a queer first crush book in the middle grade space in the vein of the animated short In a Heartbeat. (get your tissues)

Young Adult:

• One day I will find the Count of Monte Cristo retelling of my dreams. One day.
• A creepy supernatural sort of book—think Asylum by Madeline Roux. I grew up on Christopher Pike so I’d love to find books that have that same horror/thriller feel he captured so well! (I wouldn’t cry if someone found a way to update The Midnight Club and it found its way into my inbox…)
• In terms of LGBT+, I’m not looking for just a coming out story. I want to see these characters leading their own stories where sexuality isn’t the main thrust of the book.
• That said, I’m absolutely here for any and all queer rom-coms. (Where is my queer How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days???)
• More contemporary books, both issue books and not. Bonus points for books dealing in the arts and/or music. Double bonus points for a queer novel set during the height of the AIDS epidemic.
• Any sort of fantasy, but in particular ones featuring diverse characters. I’d love either a contemporary fantasy or a straight up fantasy setting. No matter what, I want to see lush and rich world building along with unforgettable characters.

Any Age:

• Send me your diverse voices and your LGBTQIA characters—I’m always looking for more authors from marginalized communities.
• Above all on my #MSWL are just great books with strong voice and characters I fall in love with and so often that comes from books I never knew I wanted. Strong hooks that I can’t put down. Things that have me tapping my iPad until 3AM when I curse that my battery has died 5 pages from the end.

Last updated: 15 February 2023

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to https://QueryManager.com/mferrara

Query via QueryManager only. Queries sent via email will not be read.

Please send a query + the following sample materials:

– For MG, YA, and Adult novels (including graphic novels by author-only): please paste the first 10 pages into the sample text field.
– For picture books: please include the full manuscript
– For graphic novels (either by an author/illo or with an illustrator attached): please include a link to a few sample spreads
– If you’re an illustrator only: please include a link to your portfolio

Guidelines & Details