Roseanne Wells

Adult Nonfiction: I’m looking for authors who have a unique story to tell with a fresh hook and a strong platform. I like narrative nonfiction, memoir attached to a big idea, popular science and history (not academic), humor, food/cooking, pop culture, and similar subjects. I fell head over heels for Reza Aslan’s NO GOD BUT GOD. He interweaves a beautifully written history of Islam with his own personal journey. I really appreciated Susan Cain’s mix of reflection, personal story, and research in QUIET. I also adored reading THE RESCUE ARTIST by Edward Dolnick, H IS FOR HAWK by Helen McDonald, WHEN BROOKLYN WAS QUEER by Hugh Ryan, and BREAD, WINE, CHOCOLATE by Simran Sethi, among other great nonfiction. Basically, if you can do a TED Talk about your subject, I want to see it. And I admire Joy the Baker, Smitten Kitchen, Claire Saffitz, and Samin Nosrat–they each approach food with rigor, fun, and a unique voice. I’m also interested in nonfiction that has an illustrated or graphic element, humorous take, or an unexplored POV on a familiar subject, all with a strong hook and takeaway for the reader.

Adult Fiction: I’m eager to work on science fiction and fantasy; con/heist stories, especially featuring art, jewelry, or tech–and a charming character just a few inches on the wrong side of the law with their own moral compass; and smart detective novels (more Sherlock Holmes than cozy mysteries). I love WHITE COLLAR, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, LEVERAGE, OCEAN’S 11, etc.

Children’s: I’m eager to see diverse voices and marginalized stories, unique narrative structures that support the story, and unreliable narrators. I’m looking for young adult and middle grade of all genres (fiction and nonfiction) that connect me to a strong main character/ensemble and a singular voice. When I was a kid, I couldn’t get enough of Alanna and every book Tamora Pierce wrote of her adventures in Tortall. I connected with Francesca Lia Block’s work instantly as a teen; I read all five DANGEROUS ANGELS books in one day. I savored reading Leigh Bardugo’s SIX OF CROWS and CROOKED KINGDOM, Erika L. Sanchez’s I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER, Sandhya Menon’s WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI, Emiko Jean’s TOKYO EVER AFTER, and too many others to name. For middle grade, I adore Cat Valente’s Fairyland series–the absurd and weird paired with big ideas and gorgeous writing–plus SAL AND GABI BREAK THE UNIVERSE by Carlos Hernandez, Jonathan Stroud’s LOCKWOOD & CO. books, BOMB by Steve Sheinkin, among many others. I grew up on THE BOXCAR CHILDREN, and I love Veronica Mars (yes, I’m a Marshmallow) and the Myrtle Hardcastle mysteries by Elizabeth C. Bunce (plus the Truly Devious books on the YA side).

I’m looking for graphic novels, especially with queer stories or nonfiction subjects. Jen Wang’s THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER, Noelle Stevenson’s NIMONA, The Lumberjanes series, Kat Leyh’s SNAPDRAGON, and Katie O’Neill’s PRINCESS PRINCESS EVER AFTER are among my favorites. I’m also open to nonfiction picture books in STEAM (science, tech, engineering, arts, and math), history, and biographies. I’m not interested in rhyming picture books or overly sweet and sentimental stories.