Amy Fitzgerald

Lerner Publishing Group

My Manuscript Wish List®

I’m the editorial director of Carolrhoda Books / Carolrhoda Lab at Lerner Publishing Group. I acquire and edit middle-grade and young adult novels. Contemporary realism and historical fiction make up the bulk of my list. I aim to publish novels that reflect the complexity of the real world and that respect the intelligence, resilience, and sensitivity of young readers.

I love stories about witty kids. I love stories about friends who actually like and respect each other. And I love stories written from perspectives that I haven’t seen before (or haven’t seen enough). I’m on the lookout for fierce, honest, page-turning stories about kids solving mysteries, going on missions, being themselves in a world that doesn’t make that easy, and tossing off brilliant one-liners.

Fun facts about me:

One of my childhood idols was Carmen Sandiego. Part of me still wants to be like her when I grow up—except naturally I would harness my powers and knowledge for good.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to afitzgerald@lernerbooks.com

I accept queries and manuscripts from agents via email to

af*********@le*********.com

; I’m unable to accept submissions from unagented authors except during open calls, which are periodically announced on our blog.