Alexa Wejko

Hi everyone!

I’m an editor at Soho Press, interested mainly in crime but dabbling in horror and literary fiction, though with an eye to acquiring a range of voices, moods, and narrative structures within all spaces. I am actively looking to acquire books by writers of color; I am actively looking to acquire voices and perspectives that are routinely marginalized. I love stories and manuscripts that exist in in-between spaces, whether that be genre or readership (books with YA crossover, for example, or books that cannot be easily shelved). I’m looking for intimate voices and bold voices. I love small stakes that are made to feel big.

Give me your weird books.

Crime Fiction 

I look for atmospheric, place-based crime fiction in the tradition of Soho Crime. I am always interested in series-starters that push boundaries in terms of approach, voice, or perspective (The Perveen Mistry series, Shutter/Exposure by Ramona Emerson). I look for series with a vision, a “book one” that leaves the reader wanting and able to imagine dozens of future installments. I am interested in procedurals that are exhaustive and immersive (the Erin McCabe series) told from non-police or left-of-center perspectives. In terms of place, I am currently especially interested in manuscripts (including translations) that fall under the umbrella of Ukrainian, South Asian, Latin American, and/or Indigenous crime fiction.

In no particular order, I am also interested in: atmospheric standalone novels that leave the reader feeling emotionally walloped; charismatic criminal narrators, ideally those that are anti-establishment, female, queer, trans, or otherwise challenge the idea of the typical white male anti-hero; meta bookish/literary mysteries. I’ll always dip into a new take on an old classic, whether series or standalone. I am open to the right speculative twist, if it sufficiently grapples with the realities of our world. Right now, I am not interested in straight forward cozies, but I would love to consider cozy-adjacent titles as long as there’s a hidden edge—daring books with voice for days, told with wit, warmth, and humor (Dial A for Aunties). 

Representative Titles:

• Gary Phillips, ASH DARK AS NIGHT 
• Zoe Wallbrook, HISTORY LESSONS 
• Marcie Rendon, Cash Blackbear series 

Horror Fiction

In horror, I am looking for: short, intense, and immersive novella-length horror (Come Closer); horror in translation (Latin American) (Thirst); literary or left-of-center takes on vampires, zombies, or undead beings; horrific takes on fairy tales; disturbing and twisty psychological horror (Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward); epistolary and formally daring horror; anything exquisitely odd or offbeat. 

What’s it like to work with me? I’m a creature of feedback. Before starting at Soho Press, I completed my MFA, taught creative writing, and then worked in literary packaging; I bring that experience to editing by focusing on (lovingly) challenging writers, sharpening story, and honing craft. I love—love—brainstorming phone calls, intensely exploring revision strategies, writing in-depth editorial letters, and leaving plenty of chatty margin notes. However, my end goal is to always support a writer’s vision. I’m also in the unique position of having worked as a part of Soho Press’s publicity team, which means I have insight on multiples stages of the book-making process.

I’m especially interested in:

• Series starters with an amateur detective
• SFF/Horror and mystery crossover
• Queer characters, narratives, and experiences
• A speculative twist on a familiar world
• Non-traditional narrative structures or approaches
• Writers who have worked in a different form (non-fiction, poetry) and are working on their first novel
• Setting & place, especially small towns and tight-knit communities. Does the entire book take place within a single block? Send it to me.

I’m not interested in:

• Tech thrillers
• Broad political thrillers
• Familiar domestic thrillers
• Traditional cop procedurals

If you’re not sure whether I’m interested in a submission, please reach out!

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to awejko@sohopress.com

I accept agented work and read unagented submissions selectively. Email me at aw****@*******ss.com, and feel free to check in if you haven’t heard from me in 3+ weeks.