Tali Shammas

Tali is drawn to commercial hooks, lyrical writing, and voicey characters who jump off the page and pull you in. She loves books that explore underrepresented folk stories and mythologies. Similarly, she is interested in non-Western settings. In fantasy, she adores a unique magic system. She is also a big fan of books about books. Across all genres and age groups, she would love to see projects from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodiverse, and chronically ill communities.

Specific wishes in Adult Fiction:

• High-stakes fantasy where characters face impossible decisions
• Boundary-pushing Queer horror, like Andrew Joseph White
• Weird girl fiction, like Callie Kazumi and Monika Kim
• Cottage gore and botanical body horror (think the aesthetic of the movie Gaia)
• Thrillers with extremely high-concept hooks, like Marisa Walz’s GOOD INTENTIONS and Caro Clare Burke’s YESTERYEAR
• Unhinged female protagonists, like Marisa Kashino’s BEST OFFER WINS

Specific wishes in Young Adult Fiction:

• Stories that grapple with faith, sexuality, and/or cultural identity, like Ahmad Saber’s RAMIN ABBAS HAS MAJOR QUESTIONS
• Mystery thrillers that keep me turning the page, like Katie Bernet’s BETH IS DEAD (retellings or not)
• Stories that broach topics like neurodivergence and sexuality in an authentic way, like Andrew Joseph White’s THE SPIRIT BARES ITS TEETH
• Psychological horror that reads like a dark fairy tale, like C.G. Drews’s DON’T LET THE FOREST IN

Specific wishes in Middle Grade Fiction:

• Fantasy, especially fairytale and myth retellings
• Plot- and character-driven stories with literary writing and commercial appeal
• Stories featuring boys as main characters
• Action/adventure stories, especially those heavy on humour
• Disability/neurodiverse/chronic illness representation
• Stories that celebrate diverse cultures

Nonfiction:

• Funny, authentic, and brutally honest stories, like anything by Jenny Lawson
• Unique and niche topics, coffee table books