Alexandra Levick

Alexandra Levick is currently CLOSED to unsolicited queries.

What am I looking for?

Picture book author-illustrators, a wide range of middle grade and YA, and more speculative-leaning or genre-bent literary adult works. I’m committed to working with writers from diverse backgrounds and am looking to put forth a list of outstanding creators who will be able to provide windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors (thank you, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop) into all kinds of experiences. I’m particularly looking for own-voice stories about historically underrepresented identities and cultures.

No matter the genre or age-range, I crave a distinctive voice and strong thematic point behind the work—I want to run screaming to my friends and family about your book because there is so much to discuss. I love character-driven stories that revolve around BIG topics (discussing things like mortality or grief in a new and hopefully somewhat uplifting way is always an instant lightbulb!). I’m not looking for ‘issue books,’ rather I’d like to represent authors and stories that stand for more than just a good yarn; I’d like to represent creators who provoke conversations around important and necessary topics in our world today. And I don’t just want contemporary versions of these stories, either. Send me your fantasy, your sci-fi, your genre-bender!

So please, send your work over to me. I can’t wait to give it a read.

Particular topics/ideas I’m intrigued by…  

• ‘I do not write dark books. I write candles. I write fire.’ – Laurie Halse Anderson

• I had a wonderful conversation with my client, Nic Yulo, about dark books and she said something very astute: ‘I like dark, but I like hope. Don’t put me in the pit without giving me a ladder!’ This is exactly what I’m looking for!

• Books that ask BIG questions

• Unapologetic and intersectional feminist narratives

• Healthy, nuanced portrayals of masculinity

• Complex characters and layered narratives

• Humor, most particularly in the midst of darkness

• Atmospheric YA horror

• Literary and socially conscious horror

• Anything inspired by myths, folklore, or legends particularly those that have been born out of diaspora or are non-western in origin

• Dark futures / apocalypse with a touch of hope

• Outbreak / contagion discussed in a new and innovative way

• A novel in seasonal movements

• A YA that takes a nuanced and hard look at relationship violence

• A literary thriller set in a confined space (ex: a cargo ship)

• YA space book a la CONTAGION by Erin Bowman

• Adventurous middle grade

• Anything involving the ocean

• Please note, a touch of whimsy is always, always welcome.

‘When I say fantasy, I simply mean a story in which one foot, or heel, or toe is not planted on firm familiar ground. But my favorite fantasies are the ones where the other foot is. Where the line between the known and the new, the observable reality and the strange fantastic is dotted, if not blurred.’

—V.E. Schwab, ‘In Search of Doors’ Pembroke Tolkien Lecture 2018

So please, send your horizon-expanding work on over to me. I can’t wait to give it a read.

Are you a visual person? Me too!

Take a peek through my #MSWL Pinterest board.

Anything you shouldn’t send me? 

Yes, your racist, misogynist, ableist manifesto. Don’t send me that.

I’m not the right agent for soapy books about murder, crime scene investigations, police procedurals, true crime, satire, military thrillers, or erotica.

 I am not currently accepting submissions for picture book text-only authors or screenplays.

Does your book involve murder? Some things you should know before submitting to me:

• If your book is about a murder investigation or is a police procedural, it is NOT right for me.
• If your book is about a serial killer, it is NOT right for me.
• If your book includes murder in the background, but isn’t ABOUT murder, it is likely fine. Particularly if it falls in the SFF space.
• If you have personally lost someone you love to murder and you’re writing about what that feels like, I may be a good fit for you.
• I do ask that if your book includes murder in any capacity that you please include a trigger warning in your query.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to alevicksubmissions@writershouse.com

Alexandra Levick is currently CLOSED to unsolicited queries.

Please send your personalized query letter along with your first ten pages (both of which should be pasted into the body of the email, NO ATTACHMENTS) to me through QueryManager:https://QueryManager.com/QueryAlexandraLevick or if you need accommodation to alevicksubmissions (at) writershouse.com. I love hearing a bit about the intention behind your work.

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Please note:
– You may only query ONE agent within Writers House at any given time. If/when they pass, you may send a query to another Writers House agent.
– I will only review one project per person at a time, though you’re more than welcome to mention other projects you’re working on.
– I will be back to you within six weeks; if at such time you haven’t heard from me, please do feel free to check in.
– If you receive an offer of representation, please let me know as soon as possible. If you are still open to hearing from other agents at that point, please let me know the date by which you’ll need an answer.
– I do not accept physical/mailed submissions and any that are received will be recycled unopened.

Guidelines & Details

Consultations