Madison Hernick

When it comes to fiction, I fall in love with voice first, plot second. Whether it’s a sweeping, cerebral read or a fast-paced one-sit-wonder that sucks me right in, I gravitate towards character-driven, evocative fiction that bridges intellect and intimacy. I am both a masochist and a romantic — if I am sobbing or laughing by the end, I’m happy.

I love… anything camp that doesn’t take itself too seriously but teaches you something all the same. Funny, whimsical, elevated rom-coms. Anything reminiscent of Nora Ephron. Romances with a distinct voice that offer something unique to the genre or reinvent a convention we’ve all seen before. A touch of magical realism. I love a contained setting, like summer camp or rehab or a nursing home (anywhere our characters cannot escape!). Mommy issues, Catholic guilt, toxic friendships, performative activism, nostalgia, old ladies acting like teenagers, found family, escaping cults. Past lives, what-ifs and eldest daughters. Historical and mythical retellings and reimagines.  Love in all its iterations.

For select nonfiction…Books that interrogate our modern psychology, especially as it relates to Gen Z and our digital culture, fresh takes on mental health, texts that add to the modern feminist lexicon. I am particularly interested in anything culty: fandoms, religions, politics. Works that challenge institutions or systems, insist that history does not have to repeat itself, and takes an unafraid stand.

I am not looking for: fantasy/romantasy, poetry, short story collections, illustrated, YA or children’s, anthologies or academic texts.

Submission Guidelines

You can query me at https://www.unitedtalent.com/publishing-submit

Please send a clear, concise submission letter with comparative titles and the first 50 pages. If nonfiction, feel free to send the whole proposal.

Guidelines & Details