Jo’s Manuscript Wishlist

For fiction, Jo is seeking books that subvert genre expectations or combine genres in innovative and twisty ways. They’re particularly searching for speculative fiction/light sci-fi (Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer), eco-fiction/cli-fi (The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler, A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers), interesting workplaces with an ensemble cast (The Bear on Hulu, Succession on HBO), and messy families with a heartwarming undercurrent.

They are also hungry for upmarket and literary books that feature unhinged protagonists and intersectional female rage. Emerging terms in the space of female rage—such as “coming of rage” (A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers, Beef on Netflix, Severance by Ling Ma) and “good for her” (My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, They Never Learn by Layne Fargo)—are a high priority. Jo is especially interested in dark humor (Bunny by Mona Awad, Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder), and books that centre platonic love and affection. Other strong interests include stories with absurdist elements, adult campus novels, new weird, and books across all genres that feature queer relationships (particularly WLW/sapphic), BIPOC characters, or explore gender identity.

For nonfiction, Jo is actively seeking in investigative journalism (Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick), cultural critique (The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel), social psychology deep dives, naturalist or eco-nonfiction (Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer), as well as personal narratives on art and pop culture (Unlikeable Female Characters: The Women Pop Culture Wants You to Hate by Anna Bogutskaya). Books that unearth buried histories (Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann), interrogate online discussions and trends surrounding aging, and examine the experiences of former child influencers are especially wanted. They are also looking for personal narratives around nomadic lifestyles and alternative living (Nomadland by Jessica Bruder, Nowhere for Very Long by Brianna Madia).

They are not the right person for self-help, health and wellness, cookbooks, historical fiction focused on WWI, WWII or Cold War conspiracies and/or spy-adjacent books, kidlit/YA, or high/epic fantasy with heavy world building.

Fiction:

• Speculative fiction (near-future sci-fi, plot-forward commentary on society, Black Mirror-esque concepts, both gritty and hopeful stories welcome)

• Upmarket fiction (conversation starters, fresh take on friendships, relationships, and family)

• Horror (genre blending, no heavy gore please)

• Psychological horror / thriller (the weirder the better)

• Queer romance (elevated, multi-layered)

• Gothic / Neo-Gothic

• Mysteries (with unique POV, character-driven)

• Graphic Novels

• Select literary fiction (unusual or unique storytelling, new weird, less quiet realism and more plot-forward storytelling)

• Select fantasy (set in our world, light world building)

• Select historical fiction (unique concept or genre blending)

Non-fiction:

• Pop Culture Deep Dives

• Politics and Social Sciences

• Cultural Critique

• Investigative Journalism

• Eco-Nonfiction and Naturalist writing

• Expedition accounts of professional mountaineers and adjacent sports

• Nomadic/Alternative living, Off-Grid Living, or Survivalist writing

• Travelogues from a unique perspective

• Pop Science

• Graphic memoir

Currently not looking for:

• Self-help
• Health and Wellness
• Cookbooks
• Historical fiction focused on WWI, WWII or Cold War conspiracies and/or spy-adjacent books
• Kidlit / YA
• High/Epic Fantasy with heavy world building