Ernie Chiara

Ernie Chiara is an agent at Fuse Literary specializing adult & young adult fantasy, science fiction, and horror, as well as speculative literary fiction, upmarket speculative, BIPOC mystery/thriller/crime fiction, and young adult contemporary.

Feel free to check out his full MSWL at ErnieChiara.com/MSWL. And if you want to go a little more in depth on some of his more specific MSWL items, feel free to check out his ever-expanding #MSWL twitter thread.

“In every genre I represent, there are some common threads that tie together what I’m looking for. Strong writing with a distinct voice is a must for me. That’s sometimes hard to pin down, but when I see it, it jumps off the page and makes me want to keep reading. I also look for complex, multi-dimensional characters who feel real to me—I want to care deeply about what happens to them. I look for immersive, deeply woven, extraordinarily original stories with propulsive plots and richly layered worldbuilding, and I tend to gravitate toward stories that blend genres in ways I may not have seen before.”

I’d love to see more projects by writers from Black, Indigenous, Latine/x, Asian, AAPI, SWANA, and African communities and their far-reaching diasporas, as well as the LGBTQIA+, trans and nonbinary, and disabled and neurodiverse communities.”

Adult & YA Fantasy:

I enjoy all types of fantasy—whether it’s a thought provoking contemporary story with a high-concept magical hook and a keen sense of wonder, an historical fantasy with a fresh twist and prose that leans toward literary, a retelling with a unique take on a concept that hasn’t been overdone, or an epic fantasy with immersive worldbuilding and a unique cultural perspective. I prefer stories with an underpinning of social upheaval, an anti-colonialist or anti-patriarchal message, with protagonists that are harbingers of change whose stories shed light on the greater forces at work. I’d love to see unique worldbuilding with characters and settings based on cultures and histories that are traditionally underrepresented in the genre.

Adult & YA Sci-Fi:

In sci-fi, I love everything from contemporary speculative to cli-fi and eco-fiction to silkpunk and solarpunk, to science fantasy to africanfuturism to space opera. I gravitate towards ambitious stories with a voice that jumps off the page—stories that push the envelope with a strong character focus, creative structures, and fresh concepts that make me sit up and take notice. I enjoy well-told, genre-blurring stories with a strong cultural lens that ask hard questions about sociopolitical change, about power imbalances and privilege, and about the impact of ideas and technologies on society. I’m drawn to unconventional upmarket voices and love to see diverse perspectives and unique takes on established tropes.

Adult & YA Horror

In horror, I’d love to see imagery that keeps me up at night, stories of psychological or supernatural revenge, and an underlying cultural or social commentary. I enjoy stories with protagonists who are not only irresistible characters, but whose voices go against the grain of the societies they inhabit. Stories that range from lighthearted and fun to dark and cynical with prose that hits that literary/commercial sweet spot. I’m looking for surreal, atmospheric horror that unpacks societal and/or personal traumas, monster reimaginings from BIPOC POVs or steeped in SWANA, Asian, or other non-western mythologies. I’m open to body horror, psychological horror, gothic, historical, and/or genre-blended with fantasy or sci-fi. I’d love to be surprised by something boundary-pushing that’s unlike anything I’ve seen before.

Adult Literary & Upmarket Speculative

I’m very selective in literary and upmarket fiction. I’m looking for diverse, inclusive adult literary with stunning prose and a touch of the inexplicable, upmarket/literary speculative fiction, upmarket/literary contemporary fantasy, and authentic magical realism with roots in the Latine/x and post-colonial tradition. Bonus points for stories rooted in multi-generational secrets or those that explore folklores or cultural mythologies.

Adult BIPOC Mystery/Crime/Thriller

I’m very selective in the Crime fiction space as well. For now, I’m seeking only BIPOC voices in Mystery, Thrillers, and Crime fiction.

Young Adult Contemporary

I’m looking for YA Contemporary with fully-realized characters, strong emotional beats, and clear stakes. I lean toward perspectives outside my own, and prefer stories that ask tough questions but don’t shy away from finding the humor amid the difficulties of teenage life.

Submission Guidelines

To query Ernie, please submit your query letter and the first twenty pages of your completed manuscript through the online form at QueryManager.com/ErnieChiara.

Guidelines & Details