Alex Gehringer

Original Graphic Novel

• Children’s (early reader, chapter book) and middle grade GN fiction only
• Authored and author-illustrated

Show me a fantastic hook and a great cast of characters (animal, human, or otherwise) with series potential. This is a very “I’ll know it when I see it” space for me, and I’m open to a lot.

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Contemporary Romance

I’m most interested in characters who spark off each other—where chemistry, tension and banter pull me through the pages, no matter what world the story inhabits. I firmly believe “if your hero is a firefighter, your heroine better be an arsonist.” I want quick, clever dialogue and fresh, addictive plot lines that make readers say just one more chapter until it’s 2am. Strong side characters who could carry their own stories are always a plus.

I want slow-burn romance contrasted against propulsive plot and smart humor—think Alison Espach’s The Wedding People or Mhairi McFarlane’s Just Last Night. I love character duos with bite and palpable chemistry, like the couples in Layne Fargo’s The Favorites or Yulin Kuang’s How to End a Love Story.

Romantasy, Speculative (& beyond)

I’m seeking epic quests, tragic bargains, star-crossed lovers…I’ll take it all so long as the romance remains central. The tension and chemistry between the leads are what should anchor the story, even amidst magic, adventure, or high stakes, as in V.E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

Please note, I am *only* seeking romantasy in the NA space.

I am open to speculative romance in NA and adult.

Across Both

On both sides of my list, I’m drawn to imperfect good guys and redeemable villains, found families, enemies or friends to lovers, fake relationships, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, other unlikely pairings, and rivals.

Currently seeking!

• Heist romances in the vein of Ocean’s 11 or the Thomas Crown Affair
• Dystopian romance or romantasy with dystopian elements. Give me the Grapes of Wrath set in the future or in a parallel universe with relatable twenty-somethings. Give me a swashbuckling Severance.
• New stories with roots in old stories from author’s culture, particularly if that culture is underrepresented in the marketplace
• Hooks that can be condensed to one or two sentences that stay with me for weeks after hearing them

I am not a fit for…

• Adult romantasy (main characters over the age of 25)
• Historicals
• YA of any genre
• Significant age gaps or abusive power dynamics
• Gratuitous violence or gore
• Rockstar, billionaire, mafia or dating app romances

Submission Guidelines

Please submit via QueryTracker.

For graphic novels:

Please send me your complete synopsis, a series overview (if applicable), and 15 finished sequential pages. If you’re submitting as an author without illustrations, please send me the first 10 pages of your script.

For romance and romantasy:

Include a brief pitch that captures the hook of your premise, along with a short plot summary and a few thoughtful comps (books, TV, or film). If you don’t have strong comps, it’s okay to skip them—please don’t force weak ones.

Indicate whether you’ve been previously published (traditionally or self-published), and feel free to share a couple of lines about yourself.

Attach the first chapter of your manuscript. If you’ve written a prologue, please include that as well. It won’t count as your first chapter.

Queries that are sent to my email address will be deleted. Please use QueryTracker or you will not get a response from me.