Kari Sutherland

KT Literary Agency

My Manuscript Wish List®

As an editorial agent I look first and foremost for voice since I (and an editor when I sell the project!) will be reading and re-reading the pages through multiple drafts. Beyond that, I’m drawn to compelling, believable characters, organic worldbuilding, an engaging plot, settings that are as vivid as characters, and pacy writing.

Across all ages and genres I am actively looking for voices from traditionally underrepresented communities–including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and neurodivergent creators.

Picture books/chapter books:

I’m looking to sign author/illustrators and illustrators at this time. I enjoy quirky humor, stories with a twist, fresh plotlines, human characters over animals, books that promote healthy social-emotional habits or a love of nature and science.

Middle Grade:

Any genre! I’ve got a soft spot for fantasy, particularly ones with non-Western worldbuilding, and contemporary realistic stories that weave in modern societal concerns such as social justice, climate change, immigration, religious tolerance, or gender equality.

Young Adult:

Again, any genre! I love fantasy, especially those with non-Western worldbuilding, reimagined fairytales/legends/histories, sweet rom-coms (LGBTQ+ relationships welcome), contemporary stories that challenge societal norms and make you think, dark and twisty psychological thrillers and mysteries, layered storytelling and unconventional narrative structures, and books that combine genres in surprising ways.

Adult:

Upmarket women’s fiction, Gothic tales and light horror (think supernatural not slasher), international settings, humorous voices, and intergenerational sagas.

Nonfiction:

For children and teens only (no adult nonfiction at this time). Areas of interest for me include: history, science, the arts, nature, and critical thinking.

Not for me:

I’m not seeking novels in verse or adult cozy mysteries – while I enjoy reading them, I’m not the best agent fit for these.

I’m NOT open to: military/political/police/courtroom thrillers; erotica; screenplays; poetry; or adult nonfiction.

Fun facts about me:

I grew up moving around Latin America and the Caribbean so I learned how to merengue (awkwardly) before I ever had a locker of my own.

I also have strong ties to New Zealand–my parents claim I was named for the “Kauri” tree although they took out the “u” and my name is pronounced “car-ee.”

I love jigsaw puzzles and traveling, only one of which I can do during a pandemic.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to https://QueryManager.com/Kari_Sutherland_Query_Form

Please submit queries via my form on Query Manager. If Query Manager provides an accessibility issue for you, the KT Literary general query inbox is

qu*****@kt********.com

. If you address the email to my attention, it will be distributed to me and I will review it.