Daniel Niv
Olswanger Literary
My Manuscript Wish List®
My Manuscript Wish List® Items
Overall, I love stories with a compelling hook, an emphasis on character development, high stakes, and lush writing. The most important thing for me when reading a manuscript is connecting with the characters, and I often relate most to vulnerable protagonists who discover their strengths. I enjoy stories with diverse voices from all backgrounds and am always intrigued by historical or unique settings. I tend to prefer a dark atmosphere over cozy—but I still enjoy both!
I’m looking for romance books and am usually more drawn to romantasy, horrormance, dark romance, and historical romance. I’m hooked if there’s an engaging plot alongside the romance plot, especially with a good slow burn. My favorite tropes also include witty banter, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers (to enemies), love triangles, and forbidden love. I don’t mind the level of spice as long as the tension is high. I also enjoy plot twists, secrets, and betrayals. I’m especially captivated by morally gray or flawed characters, and I love a good villain. I want the kind of books readers will return to again and again, and build fandoms around. Standalones with series potential are welcome!
I’m also seeking high/low fantasy, retellings, dark academia, gothic, family saga, historical, upmarket, and commercial fiction. Please don’t self-reject if your manuscript falls outside my MSWL—this is just a glimpse of my main interests, and I’m always happy to discover something I didn’t know I wanted!
I’m less likely to enjoy extreme gore, the miscommunication trope, or stories that rely heavily on advanced or speculative technology.
Non-Fiction:
Historical narratives with compelling storytelling (preferably related to wartime).
Body, Mind & Spirit: My areas and interests are wide, and I’m open to anything that connects to spirituality. If you’re unsure, feel free to query me anyway. I’m interested in New Age, esotericism, dreams, mysticism, occult, witchcraft, astrology, mindfulness, tarot and divination, beautiful oracle and tarot decks, nature writing, etc. It’s ideal if the project can engage a young audience and be whimsical, quirky, fun, and inviting to read.
Lifestyle, self-help, and how-to. I also love projects that blend worlds. I’ve seen books on the market about a literary figure plus something—for example, a book on Emily Dickinson’s gardening or a cookbook inspired by Jane Austen. How lovely is that? I guess I’m really looking for books that are heartwarming and cozy!
Fun facts about me:
I majored in Literature and Creative Writing and have worked as a librarian and a manuscript reader for numerous publishing houses.
I am the co-founder and editor of Spell Jar Press, which publishes print anthologies.
Fun facts: I make witchy candles & I have a crazy ginger cat.
Submission Guidelines
I’m open to adult fiction and non-fiction queries.
Keep in mind that I take an editorial approach, so if you become a client, there might be rounds of revisions.
Please use my Query Manager link to fill out the query form and attach the first ten pages of your manuscript.
I respond to all queries.
Vital Info
Favorite sub-genres:
#ownvoices, BIPOC, Dark Female Friendships, Historical Fantasy; Fantasy Grounded In Reality, LGBTQ+, Lifestyle, Magical Realism, Nature Writing, Occult, Retellings, WWII, dark academia, dark fantasy, romantasy
I’d like the next…
My favorites include…
Authors: Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, Leigh Bardugo, Rebecca Yarros, Sara J Mass, S. E. Hinton, W. Somerset Maugham, Elizabeth Gilbert.
TV: Outlander, My Lady Jane, Dickinson, The Queen’s Gambit, Gilmore Girls, Derry Girls, Peaky Blinders.
Movies: Frances Ha, Adult World, Spirited Away, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
