Jess Taylor

I am building my list with a focus on YA in all subgenres except tech-heavy science fiction. I love manuscripts with vivid characters and a faster plot that keeps you reading way past your bedtime.  I’m a fan of both contemporary settings and fantastical ones as long as there is a clear story arc.

Strong female protagonists are my favorite (girl power!), but I also enjoy diverse perspectives. Bonus points if the book is about mermaids or is a holiday fantasy story. Please only submit manuscripts with a protagonist that’s 15 or up.

My favorite book list is a great resource to see what types of books stand out to me.

New Adult

• Gory and paranormal horror. Thrillers are okay, but I prefer to not have nightmares.
• Anything faith-based.
• Stories that demean women.
• Books where the main character dies. Whether the death is from an illness or sacrificial à la Divergent, I get too attached to characters to not see them make it in the end.
• Anything where an animal dies. Dog, cat, horse, you name it. My heart won’t be able to take it.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your query through Query Tracker by clicking on Guidelines below. I request a synopsis and the first three chapters.

Guidelines & Details