Annie Romano
Olswanger Literary LLC
My Manuscript Wish List®
Note: I am currently closed to submissions.
I accept submissions in the areas of adult fiction and select narrative nonfiction. In adult fiction, I am seeking lighter fare with smart humor and a unique hook. I also welcome upmarket and commercial fiction in the following areas: contemporary fiction, sharp romantic comedy (do not send me romance if there’s no comedic element or original hook), women’s fiction, psychological thrillers/suspense, mystery, and light/clever horror (no slasher/heavy gore; think more along the lines of Grady Hendrix for this). I welcome diverse narratives, including but not limited to LGBTQ+ and underrepresented ethnicities/cultures. I adore stories with well-done ensemble casts and plots that deliver the unexpected. Send me something unique that will make me laugh! I will consider literary fiction so long as there is a discernible structure/plot, but I am not the best fit for stories focused on an emotional or sensory journey—beautiful as the writing may be—if the storyline is vague or absent. I’d also love to see something spooky and atmospheric (again, not gory). I’m not a match for science fiction/fantasy but am open to stories with light elements of fantasy or magical realism grounded in a familiar world (think The House in the Cerulean Sea). If you’ve got a strong book club fiction manuscript, send it my way.
In narrative nonfiction, areas of interest include (but are not limited to) true crime (i.e., The Trial of Lizzie Borden, by Cara Robertson) and unique windows into history (i.e., Mudlark, by Lara Maiklem). Please, no military or political nonfiction.
Fun facts about me:
I’m an author of two published picture books (Before You Sleep; Night Train) who also writes middle grade novels and adult fiction. I’m a part-time bookseller at an indie bookstore–so much fun, plus I love being able to follow the current market. I graduated with a degree in English from Boston College (Go Eagles!) and worked for nearly two decades in special education as a speech-language therapist. I adore dogs, but ironically, I do not adore novels about dogs. Strange, I know!
Submission Guidelines
Submissions should be emailed to https://QueryManager.com/AnnieRomano
I am currently closed to submissions. Please check back for updates on when I will reopen.
To submit, please send a brief query letter, synopsis, and the first 20 pages of your manuscript to: https://QueryManager.com/AnnieRomano.
I aim to respond to queries within 12 weeks. I regret that, when replying, I cannot provide specific feedback on manuscripts. This is an unfortunate reality of the time restraints of the business and the volume of queries received. I am keenly aware of the time and effort that goes into crafting a story and appreciate you trusting me with your work.
General Fiction
Upmarket
Commercial
Literary
Women’s Fiction
Contemporary
Multicultural
LGBTQ+
Narrative Nonfiction
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Military/Political Fiction
Erotica
Children’s/Picture Books
Middle Grade
Young Adult
New Adult
Graphic Novels
Memoir
Poetry
Screenplays
Short Story Collections
Vital Info
Favorite sub-genres:
Diversity, Magical Realism, Multicultural, Multiple POV, Narrative Nonfiction, Psychological Thrillers, Relationships, RomCom, Speculative, Suspense, Upmarket Fiction, contemporary
I’d like the next…
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (Jesse Q. Sutanto), The Clementine Complex (Bob Mortimer), The Maid (Nita Prose), Remarkably Bright Creatures (Shelby Van Pelt), The Authenticity Project (Clare Pooley), The Bandit Queens (Parini Shroff), Anita de Monte Laughs Last (Xochitl Gonzalez), A House with Good Bones (T. Kingfisher), The Husbands (Holly Gramazio), The Burnout (Sophie Kinsella)
My favorites include…
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, Pineapple Street, Bookworm, The House Across the Lake, The Photographer, Nothing to See Here, The Guncle, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, The Vanishing Half, The Authenticity Project, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, Cobble Hill, The Language of Flowers, and The Ghosts of Eden Park. TV series that grabbed my attention include Only Murders in the Building, Ghosts, The Office, Stranger Things, Broadchurch, and Downton Abbey. To get a more complete sense of my adult fiction/narrative nonfiction tastes, refer to my Pinterest book pages:
