Danielle Niv
Olswanger Literary
My Manuscript Wish List®
My Manuscript Wish List® Items
I’m looking for crossover, New Adult, and adult fiction with lush, atmospheric prose, page-turning tension, skillful pacing, and high stakes. I’m drawn to high-concept stories with a fresh twist on the familiar; a unique hook you can pitch in one sentence and get an immediate yes! reaction. I especially welcome work by traditionally underrepresented authors from all backgrounds.
​I love a blend of genres. I always have a preference for anything speculative. If it’s romance, then romance plus something else.
In romance, I’m especially seeking queer romance, stories where love might not be the end game, and love triangles. I’m drawn most to unresolved tension, achingly slow burn, and yearning.
I love a combination of dark, funny, and grounded. Stories set in unique settings of place or time. Stories inspired by true stories and real figures. A sense of mystery, a question that makes me want to keep reading in order to find the answer. Writing that plays with form and unconventional structures (think The Binding, One Day, Love, Rosie)!
 I also enjoy plot twists, secrets, and betrayals. A witty dialogue. 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.Â
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Specifically hoping to find:
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An atmosphere that will haunt me. Anything dark, gothic, or speculative horror. Spook me!
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Historical fiction in the vein of The Lost Baker of Vienna. Both commercial and literary works are welcome.
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Grounded stories with fantastical elements. Folklore-inspired stories.
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A spicy, dark, and funny paranormal romance.
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Sweeping historical fantasy, non-Western fantasy.
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Dark rom-com, like Rook & Rebel.
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Political or court intrigue. Complex morality. Compelling villains. Strong, power-hungry, flawed protagonists who are strategic, cunning, and tend to outsmart everyone around them.​
I love when something I didn’t know I needed comes my way, so please don’t self-reject. It’s just a glimpse of my main interests.
Non-Fiction:
Historical narratives with compelling storytelling about real figures or significant historical events. I’m not very interested in memoirs focused on everyday “ordinary” experiences.​
Body, Mind & Spirit: My areas and interests are wide, and I’m open to anything that connects to spirituality. If you’re unsure, please query me anyway, but please no religious works. I’m interested in New Age, esotericism, lucid dreams, OBE, hypnotherapy, mysticism, occult, witchcraft, astrology, mindfulness, tarot and divination.Â
Illustrators interested in making beautiful oracle and tarot decks.
Lifestyle, pop culture, self-help, and how-to. Gift books. Nature writing.Â
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’m really looking for such books that are heartwarming and cozy! It’s ideal if the project can engage a young audience and be whimsical, quirky, fun, and inviting to read.
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’ll try something new for a trial period and be open to queries during the first week of each month to maintain a fast response rate. When I’m open to queries, please use the link below to fill out the form and attach the first ten pages of your manuscript/ proposal.Â
I aim to respond to all queries within two-three months. I will respond to all queries, even if I may be a bit behind at times.
Please *don’t* email me your query! I’m sharing my email address for any other inquiries 🙂
WARNING: Someone is impersonating me and sending authors a fake agency agreement, asking them to upload their full manuscript. They pretend to be editors or so, asking authors to reach out to “me” for representation. They use a misspelled domain name. My contact info is listed on my website & I only review submissions through my QM link!!! I don’t offer paid services to review your material. Please be careful of scams. If you are unsure, reach out to me.
Vital Info
Favorite sub-genres:
#ownvoices, BIPOC, Dark Female Friendships, Gothic Fantasy, Gothic Horror, Historical Fantasy; Fantasy Grounded In Reality, LGBTQ+, Lifestyle, Magical Realism, Nature Writing, Occult, WWII, craft, crossover appeal, dark academia, dark fantasy, non-Western fantasy, romantasy
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