Jen Bouvier

As a Senior Editor at Entangled Publishing, I’m actively acquiring Young Adult, New Adult, Adult, and Women’s Fiction/Thrillers. I update this list at least once a month to reflect my evolving interests. Always aiming to make it most helpful, I welcome agent feedback!

[You’re reading the October 2024 version]

I’m passionate about nurturing author careers and helping to bring stories to life that mean a lot to their authors. Editing is my labor of love, and I thrive on collaborating with authors who share my dedication to storytelling! I want to work with authors who are committed to making their books the best they can be. I can’t stress enough that even if your exact premise is not listed here and you believe I may enjoy your manuscript, I would still like to see it.

For everything I acquire, a commercial high-concept approach, tight plotting, high narrative tension, and a very strong voice are essential.

Note: I’m generally not the best fit for literary vibes, epic/hard SFF, superheroes, performing arts themes, tournament books, books centered on bigotry, any slavery elements, reality TV themes, mixed media, road trip books, holiday books, dream-centric stories, memory loss-based premises (outside of nuanced disability representation), cis character disguised as another gender stories, sports romance, novels-in-verse, 4+ POVs, or anything heavily focused on political intrigue.

Currently Seeking:

Young Adult (YA) Crossover / New Adult (NA)

Seeking big, high-concept premises in the commercial realm. (Not looking for Historical/Historical Fantasy or Contemporary at this time.)

Generally:

• Sapphic Romance: with high tension and chemistry.
• Morally Grey Characters: Antiheroines or villain romances with complex, layered narratives.
• High-Drama Love Stories: Lyrical, quotable prose that evokes deep responses! I love romance and find it a welcome addition to most stories!
• Dark Academia & Gothic Vibes: I’m not a huge fan of college/high school settings otherwise, but I love stories that blend the moody, atmospheric elements of dark academia with gothic undertones. Think A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee or The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl—elite institutions, hidden secrets, and a sense of foreboding. I’m particularly interested in explorations of the darker aspects of ambition, obsession, and forbidden knowledge, all wrapped in an immersive setting! I prefer lots of romance in these types of stories.
• Dark Naturalism: Stories that explore the raw, often harsh realities of nature and human existence, where the environment itself becomes a character,  all with a big dose of fantasy. Can be any sub genre. A great example is Evergreen by Devin Greenlee. Send me your singing trees and flying mushrooms; the more out there, the better. I want to see creative worlds that depict the beauty and danger of nature in equal measure, with an emphasis on atmospheric settings. (also translates to YA Sci-Fi!)
• Apocalypse & Immortality: Exploring immortality or an apocalyptic setting in creative and unique ways.
• Generational Trauma & Mythology: Stories unpacking cursed families and generational trauma, or fresh spins on mythology and folklore. Authenticity is crucial—particularly interested in Korean, Turkish, and East African mythologies. Especially eager for a Greek mythology retelling by a Greek author!

In YA/NA High Fantasy

(No pirate or seafarer settings, please)

Stand-out premises are essential for me, particularly in High Fantasy. I’m not looking for something that echoes popular trends—I’m seeking truly original concepts that push the boundaries of the genre. I’m looking for manuscripts that are truly works of art—stories that offer fresh perspectives, challenge conventional norms, and are full of heart. I want to be captivated by creativity and innovation, the kind of story that makes me think, “If I don’t acquire this, I’ll never encounter anything like it again.”

High Fantasy holds a special place in my heart, but given how much of it I take on, I need to be quite selective with what I add.

• Game-Inspired Narratives: Anything inspired by Bioware or Bethesda games, with a focus on intricate world-building and compelling character arcs. I also love Baldur’s Gate/DnD! I’ve recently been very into Elden Ring too, if your manuscript touches on anything from that game, I will drop everything to read!
• Intricate High Fantasy Worlds: Expansive worlds with creative magic systems, capable of spanning multiple books.
• Horror Crossover: Stories that blend horror with high fantasy, embracing either darker, chilling tones or a delightfully campy approach. Think eerie, otherworldly settings with a touch of the macabre or fantastical elements. I don’t always just want dark though, a special wish is something campy and funny with a Princess Bride vibe.
• Romantasy: I get so few submissions like this, I cannot state enough that I love it, especially here.

In YA/NA Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

• Innovative takes on paranormal beings—think paranormal theme parks, cryptids, or fresh interpretations of vampires or mermaids. Craving a resurgence of 2010s-style PNR romance!!
• Museum Mysteries with Monsters: I’ve been very eager to find something with a Night at the Museum type twist, but scarier, where ancient artifacts, sculptures, or exhibits come to life—predictably I would love a dark, gothic edge.
• Frankenstein! This has been one of my dream projects for a while, but since there are quite a few Frankenstein retellings out there, it would have to be really fresh. I’d like to see themes of creation, autonomy, and power reimagined through a modern lens, exploring the ethical dilemmas of science and ambition and diving deep into questions of control, identity, and what it means to create life. Whether it’s set in a lab, a futuristic society, or a darkly gothic world, I’m looking for narratives that challenge the original tale’s themes while adding a smart, contemporary edge.

In YA/NA Sci-Fi

(No space opera, steampunk, or classic colonization narratives, please)

• Accessible Sci-Fi: anything comparable to Black Mirror. Dystopian narratives with a hopepunk/solarpunk twist, sentient cities, or spaceships.
• Horror with a Sci-Fi Edge: Might be a little out there, but I am so intrigued by stories where characters confront the unknown, be it ancient alien civilizations, incomprehensible entities, or the terrifying expanse of the universe itself.
• Africanfuturism: I would drop everything for a submission like this. As an African, this would be my dream project. I would love to amplify an author writing this long-term, to help the next big voice grow. I want stories that center on African cultures, perspectives, and futures. I want to see advanced technology and richly imagined worlds grounded in African history and mythology. All welcome, but I would be so happy to see more from Eastern and/or Southern Africa. As always with cultural representation, authenticity is an absolute MUST here for me.
• See also my Adult Sci-Fi section for more interests!

In YA/NA Horror

(Not the best fit for very classic haunted house/ghost stories without a twist)

• Psychological Horror: I’m looking for YA horror exploring themes of paranoia, anxiety, and the fear of the unknown. Stories that play with perception and create an unsettling, eerie atmosphere. Note: With themes of mental illness, respectful representation is key. I’m personally not into magical cures, e.g. their mental illness was actually a ghost, etc.
• Folk Horror: I’m drawn to YA horror that taps into folklore and myth, using ancient legends and rural settings to create a sense of dread, like The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould. I’d love to see stories that explore the dark side of traditions and the haunting power of forgotten lore. As with all mythological themes, authenticity is very important to me.
• Paranormal Horror: I’m eager to find YA horror that centers on supernatural entities with a unique twist. Anything comparable to Supernatural in a very fresh and original way would be awesome. If you understand the term Superwholock, you get the depth of my obsession back in the day, so I’m looking for something I wouldn’t find on AO3. Just completely exposed myself, oh well. (No intense gore, please.)
• Gothic Horror: I’m looking for Gothic vibes mostly. Crumbling mansions, family secrets, and a sense of doom. (no full-on historical fantasy for me unless it’s alternative reality high fantasy with Gothic vibes. Then 100% yes!)

In YA Thrillers

Very slowly getting back into this genre after being closed for a long time. I’m looking for Kathleen Glasgow types with extremely tight plotting and a high-concept story. Strong voice too, so pretty much everything that I want to see in other genres but I’m extra selective here.

I want to read two sentences of your pitch and GASP. I want extremely fresh premises I have never seen like this before.

No sexual assault or bigotry-based premises, as well as anything related to political intrigue, please.

See also the Thriller section below under Adult Fiction; interests translate to YA.

Adult Fiction

In Contemporary Romance (RomCom Only)

See also my Women’s Fiction section. Some of the genre classifications I chose are subjective.

• Fresh Meet Cutes: essential.
• STEM-Centric Professions: biologists, physicists, or women in traditionally men-dominated fields like firefighting or carpentry.
• 90s/00s Movie Retellings: yes!
• Grey’s Anatomy Comp: Interested in stories with the emotional depth and ensemble cast feel we all love from Seattle Grace. I wouldn’t mind thinly-veiled fan fiction…
• Diverse Settings: Museums, animal shelters, outer space, at sea/underwater, or wildlife rehabilitation…anything original!

In Historical Romance (Georgian, Regency, Victorian only)

• Long-Running Series Potential: I would love to find prolific authors who can produce 2-3 books a year. I take on very little in Historical, but I get very into it when I do!
• Strong Voice and Tone: Open to both serious and funny tones. I would love anything with marginalized protagonists where their marginalization is not the central conflict, like in Bridgerton.

In Paranormal Romance/Fantasy

My interests here are pretty similar to YA/NA, so I’ll try to only add something new. See this as an addition just for Adult, exceptions are pointed out.

The Adult SFF I take on would all have to fall under Romantasy. For anything without a strong romance element, check the Women’s Fiction/Thriller section.

• Cozy, Cozy, Cozy: Anything in the vein of Travis Baldree and T.J. Klune. I gravitate towards humor here and am on the lookout for manuscripts exuding warmth and charm.
• Subversive & Innovative Takes: I’m eager for stories flipping traditional fantasy tropes on their head. Whether it’s a feminist reimagining of classic fantasy elements or a narrative challenging genre norms, I’m looking for fresh, groundbreaking concepts that push the boundaries of fantasy. Surprise me!
• Community-Focused Narratives: Big fan of stories that open themselves up to standalone sequels with new protagonists! Love tight-knit communities or found families, especially when they’re set against unique or magical backdrops. Whether it’s a quaint village with quirky characters or a small-town fantasy setting, I’m interested in manuscripts that emphasize connection and belonging while of course centered around a high-concept plot.
• Whimsical Worldbuilding: I’m drawn to imaginative fantasy world. If your story features whimsical creatures, enchanted villagers, or a setting where magic is woven into the everyday in a charming way, I’d love to see it.
• Going Oldschool PNR: I’m a big fan of Ilona Andrews/Sookie Stackhouse style PNR– if you write like that updated for today’s readers, yes.
• Magical Creature Sanctuary: Where mythical beings like griffins, phoenixes, or dragons are protected and cared for. The sanctuary could be hidden away in the mountains, tucked into a bustling city, or in another fantastical setting. Bonus points for richly developed magical creatures and a strong sense of place! Not looking for shifter stories here.

In Science Fiction

(again, see YA/NA section), looking for Romantasy only here, no epic/hard sci-fi. For anything without romance, see if it fits in the Women’s Fiction or Thriller section.

• Futuristic Societies with Ethical Dilemmas: Whether it’s a utopia with a dark underbelly or a society ruled by AI, I’m interested!
• Explorations of Identity and Self: Stories involving androids, cloning, or consciousness transfer that raise questions about what it means to be human.
• Environmental Sci-Fi: Whether it’s a tale of survival in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by ecological disasters or a narrative exploring the ethical implications of terraforming other planets, I’m interested in how characters navigate and adapt to their changing environments.
• Cozy Returns: I’m into something camp here as well. Anything you can imagine “but on Mars”, “but in space”, “but with aliens.”
• Doctor Who comp! (ish): I cannot emphasize enough how much I would love my own little Doctor Who type series that’s just about the episodes with aliens/in the future. Doctor Who without the time travel? If you’re familiar, you’ll understand.

In Women’s Fiction

Generally, what I’m looking for could be classified as “commercial fiction”, doesn’t have to be clear WF or General Fiction/etc. I love genre-blends. Note that I’m a hard sell on most Historical here, it would have to perfectly align with several other of my interests to hook me.

• Topical Satire/Social Critique: Anything with sharp, witty social commentary of contemporary issues in the vein of Yellowface by R. F. Kuang or The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris.
• The next Time Traveler’s Wife: I’m sure we all want that!
• Subtle Fabulism & Fantasy: Where the fantastical blends seamlessly with everyday life. Think In Five Years by Rebecca Serle or Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella—stories where a touch of magic, time-bending, or otherworldly phenomena add emotional depth and intrigue to the narrative. I’m especially interested in character-driven stories that use these elements to explore themes like love, fate, memory, and self-discovery, all within a contemporary setting.
• Retellings: something that plays with a well-known topic, dissected for a newer generation like Taylor Jenkins Reid.
• Lighthearted, Funny Fiction: I’m always on the lookout for witty WF that offers a fun escape. I love Sophie Kinsella, more examples are along the lines of In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer or The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary—stories that combine charm, humor, and relatable characters!
• Workplace Dramas with Heart: I’m interested in stories that delve into the dynamics of women in the workplace, especially in high-pressure or unconventional jobs. I so would love the next The Devil Wears Prada.
• Romance/Women’s Fiction Crossover: If you’ve written a romance that leans more towards Women’s Fiction, I’d love to take a look!
• One of a Kind Premises: concepts that immediately spark curiosity and stand out in a crowded market. Think Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt or Everything Everywhere All at Once. I’m drawn to manuscripts that take risks.

In Thrillers

Here as well, what I’m looking for could be classified as “commercial fiction”, doesn’t have to neatly fit into any genre. As long as it’s high-concept and you think it may fit, I’d like to see!

• Speculative Thrillers: anything with a “five seconds in the future” feel, like the BBC series Years and Years or Vox by Christina Dalcher. If it’s high-concept and cinematic, I’m interested! See also my Sci-Fi section above under Adult fiction.
• Fresh Elements: unusual settings or character professions! If you’re the next Nita Prose, I want to see your work.
• Unreliable Narrators: thrillers who keep readers questioning what’s real and what’s imagined. Think Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn—stories where the truth is elusive, and every twist leaves you questioning the characters’ motives and the narrative itself. I’m drawn to plots that play with perception.

Submission Guidelines

To submit, please use Submittable following the submission guidelines and ATTN to me, any imprint. I accept agented and unagented submissions. Trigger warnings are always very, very appreciated!

www.entangledpublishing.submittable.com/submit