Amy Bishop-Wycisk

Fiction-wise, I’m interested in both upmarket fiction, book club fiction, stories with an element of mystery or suspense (not the best fit for cozies), and fiction from BIPOC and AAPI authors. I’m especially hungry for mystery, suspense, and thrillers by BIPOC and AAPI authors with main characters of color. Great examples of the mystery/suspense I’m talking about: AGE OF VICE by Deepti Kapor; THE BANDIT QUEENS by Parini Shroff; THE VERIFIERS by Jane Pek. I want stories written by, about, and for women, especially women from communities whose stories aren’t told. I need a propulsive plot married with beautiful writing; I’m not the best fit for super literary or experimental work. (Nor am I a good fit for political/legal thrillers, crime fiction, or books involving PI’s or the military; I like my sleuths amateur.)

I’d love more upmarket and book club fiction generally, but specifically from women of color. PORTRAIT OF A THIEF by Grace D. Li is exactly what I’d be eager to see in my inbox; on the lighter side, THE FORTUNES OF JADED WOMEN by Carolyn Huynh or DIAL A FOR AUNTIES by Jesse Q. Sutanto. (I’d be happy to see more capers, joyful romps, and family dramas from authors of color in general!) I’m eagerly looking for historical fiction by BIPOC authors and I’m always interested in stories that are not set in Western Europe or the East/West Coast. Recent favorites: DEEP AS THE SKY, RED AS THE SEA; DID YOU HEAR ABOUT KITTY KARR; THE SECRETS WE KEPT. I’d also love more historical fiction set in the 50s and 60s and out West – I loved THE DIVORCÉES by Rowan Beaird most recently. I want more immigrant stories, more stories set in the aftermath of a big event (I read a book recently that partly concerned a Japanese woman who had married an American soldier and returned to TX with him after the war—FASCINATING!) If you can marry art and science, I’m interested.

Coming-of-age stories like YERBA BUENA—stories for people in their confusing twenties and early thirties, when you’re just trying to figure it out: first jobs, serious relationships, existing in the world as an “adult” (whatever that means). Send me your retellings – not just in the CIRCE vein, but give me myths and folklore from around the world. If they’re as brilliantly done as Kamila Shamsie’s HOME FIRE, I’m all in. I’d also be happy to consider grounded fantasy or sci-fi (think BOOK OF NIGHT by Holly Black or my own author’s OCEAN’S GODORI by Elaine U. Cho). I’ve seen a couple submissions (that I’ve loved and lost!) that feature witches and I’m always interested in magic systems that work with the natural world. I’m less swords and sorcery and more magic bleeding into our world as we know it.

Re-upping my call for work by women of color or queer women that edges into horror (or fully dives off that cliff) and engaging in important social conversations through their medium. Straight horror is not for me, but if you can give me a WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, THE OTHER BLACK GIRL, or THE ECHO WIFE, sign me up! In a similar vein, lightly speculative work (must be mostly grounded) like THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS is also of interest.

In YA, I’ve been eyeballing books like Chloe Gong’s FOUL LADY FORTUNE and Stacey Lee’s THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL. Give me murder and intrigue in unexpected places with unexpected heroines; give me more immigrant stories here too; queer stories; girls quietly (or loudly) working for justice. Here too, also happy to have light, contemporary-set books, like OPHELIA AFTER ALL or FAKE DATES AND MOONCAKES.

In terms of nonfiction, I’m on the hunt for female-driven historical narrative nonfiction (think: CODE GIRLS or HIDDEN FIGURES) or a smart nonfiction project that deals with contemporary issues or discussions (like DREAMLAND or MAID). I’m also open to biography, pop science or psychology, current events (with a feminist lens), and cultural criticism with a feminist bent. The latest nonfiction book I’ve been obsessed with was GATOR COUNTRY by Rebecca Renner – if you can blend nature writing, crime, and personal narrative, send it my way! If you are a female sports journalist or sports writer with a great story to tell, send it my way! (I find myself particularly interested by the conversations surrounding mental health + sports these days.) I am actively looking for nonfiction, so please send your proposals my way! Memoir is tricky, but if you can give me some memoir+ like with TELL ME EVERYTHING by Erika Krause or ANCESTOR TROUBLE by Maude Newton, I’m listening.

For nonfiction, alongside an original, compelling story, a good, strong platform (social media numbers; bylines, etc.,) and/or writing chops a must.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to https://querymanager.com/query/abwycisk

You can query me at https://QueryManager.com/abwycisk.

All instructions will be on the Query Manager site.

Guidelines & Details

Consultations