Angelica Chong

I’m an Associate Editor at Orbit Books who is actively acquiring adult fantasy, science fiction, and horror. I’m looking for confidently written, well-plotted books that fit into the genre space, but have something a little different that make them stand out—whether it’s a literary bent to the prose, an unusual storytelling device, or the exploration of underrepresented cultures and histories.

In other words:

• Stylish, assured prose
• A commercial hook and a page-turning, propulsive plot 
• High stakes, whether they are emotional or world-ending (or both) 
• Interesting narrative structure, e.g., epistolaries, nonlinear narratives, a story within a story
• Diverse representations of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality

2025 Wishlist:

• Dark fantasy (bonus romantic subplot) – think tortured knights, warrior priests, living sacrifices, religious cults, forsaken sainthood
• Romantasy – either the most sweeping and dramatic slow-burn that feels like reading a historical Chinese drama, or something frothy, fun, and full of charm
• A haunted house story with a twist
• Workplace horror (a la Severance)
• Horror romance

In fantasy, I love epic fantasy with whip-smart politics and court intrigue, betrayals and plot twists, ancient gods and magic with consequences. I also love sweeping, lush, dark fantasy with Gothic vibes and tortured romance. Comps: Captive Prince, Kushiel’s Dart, Black Sun, A Song to Drown Rivers, One Dark Window, A Study in Drowning, The Traitor Baru Cormorant, The Jasmine Throne. 

On the more whimsical side of the spectrum, I find fantasy rom-coms delightful, especially if they’re sexy as well! Bonus points if the fantasy world is well thought-out and original, and there’s a strong, page-turning plot. Comps: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, Behooved, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries. 

In science fiction, I love epic wide-screen space operas that are smart and political; first contact stories featuring alien civilizations and interesting lifeforms; and dystopian, post-apocalyptic fiction. Comps: These Burning Stars, Winter’s Orbit, The Stars Undying, Empire of Silence, Ancillary Justice, A Memory Called Empire, Children of Time, Those Beyond the Wall, Chain Gang All-Stars. 

In horror, anything is possible. I love the viscerally terrifying, psychologically unsettling, and highly emotional. I also love the Gothic, historical horror, and anything that can be compared to a Robert Eggers movie. Comps: Leech, Little Eve, Mexican Gothic, Manhunt, Between Two Fires, The Terror, The Luminous Dead, Natural Beauty, The Eyes Are the Best Part. 

Submission Guidelines

I am only open to agented submissions.