Mark O’Brien
Azantian Literary Agency
My Manuscript Wish List®
Founded in 2014, Azantian Literary is committed to guiding the careers of both new and established voices in fiction and nonfiction, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented.
Mark O’Brien joined Azantian Literary Agency in 2024 with nine years of experience in the book publishing industry. Prior to ALA, Mark interned at Entangled Publishing, Stonesong, Triada US Literary Agency, and Writers House, and worked as Sales Coordinator at NetGalley for three years. Mark has also worked as a freelance editor and sensitivity reader, as well as a volunteer with organizations like #DVpit, Tessera Editorial, and Quillers SWANA. Authors Mark has worked with in these roles include Becky Albertalli, Kelly Loy Gilbert, Victoria Aveyard, Ryan La Sala, Lydia Kang, J. Elle, Gabe Cole Novoa, Varian Johnson, Jessica Kim, Sayantani DasGupta, and many more.
WISHLIST
Across genres, age groups, and categories, Mark loves lyrical prose he can get lost in, wordplay, and a sense of humor. As a queer, neurodivergent person himself, Mark is especially excited about working with queer, neurodivergent, BIPOC, and disabled creators.
MIDDLE GRADE
In middle grade, Mark gravitates toward whimsy, levity, and humor in tone, even if the premise is serious. Think The Serpent’s Secret by Sayantani DasGupta, Holes and Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, illustrated by Carson Ellis, or The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell.
YOUNG ADULT
In young adult, Mark is looking for contemporary realistic fiction, as well as realistic with a twist, a la Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King or The Art of Starving by Sam J. Miller. Some of his favorites include Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert, I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, Every Day by David Levithan, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, and the works of Becky Albertalli, Angie Thomas, and Ryan La Sala.
ADULT FICTION
In adult fiction, Mark is looking for all sorts of queer romance. Some of his favorite authors in romance are Cat Sebastian, Alexis Hall, Helen Hoang, Timothy Janovsky, Kennedy Ryan, and Meryl Wilsner.
NONFICTION
In nonfiction, Mark’s tastes lean accessible, queer, and neurodivergent. Think Here for It by R. Eric Thomas, Hola Papi by John Paul Brammer, What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo, The New Masculinity by Alex Manley, and Hi Honey, I’m Homo! by Matt Baume.
ANTI-MSWL
Mark is not the best fit for horror, thrillers, picture books, novellas, poetry collections, and stories centering intense violence and/or gore.
Fun facts about me:
As a baby, I auditioned for a soft pretzel commercial.
In my high school yearbook, I was voted Most Likely to Succeed.
I have seen every season of RuPaul’s Drag Race (and All Stars) way too many times to count.
I came out to my mom after reading Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.
Submission Guidelines
All ALA agents use Query Manager. Please note that any submissions sent via email, unless requested or sent on referral, will not be considered.
We encourage all authors and artists to prepare and polish their work prior to submission. We only accept human-created work and do not consider AI-generated work.
Here are a few helpful tips to consider when submitting:
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Select one agent to submit your work to. Please review our agents’ bios and manuscript wishlists to find the best fit. We ask that you submit to one agent at a time. However, if one agent passes, you are welcome to submit up to three agents at ALA.
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Prepare a polished query letter with a detailed description of the work you are submitting.
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Create a bio with or without credentials. We love to work with debut creators and encourage you to list out any and all accomplishments, interests, goals, and quirks within your bio.
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Make sure the work you are submitting is complete. If we request a full manuscript, we would love to see it right away!
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Please note that this does not apply to graphic novels or nonfiction projects. These require completed proposals, but not full manuscripts or illustrations.
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When submitting your manuscript, please follow these guidelines:
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Novels: Submit 10-20 polished pages.
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Picture Book Text: Submit the entire manuscript.
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Picture Book Text + Art: Submit the entire manuscript with 1-2 art samples (online portfolio or link)
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Graphic Novels: Submit a proposal with 10-20 sample pages, 2-4 full colored pages, a summary or synopsis, and a sample script of 10-20 pages.
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Illustrator ONLY: Please note in your submission that it is for Art Representation Only and include a link to your online portfolio.
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Nonfiction: Submit a proposal with 2-3 sample chapters, a complete outline, bio, and a brief market analysis.
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If you met one of our agents at an in-person or online event and were invited to submit to them, please mention the event in the query.
Vital Info
Favorite sub-genres:
Category Romance, Children's and Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction, Contemporary YA, Disability, Essay collections, Film & Theater & TV, History, Humor, LGBTQ Contemporary, LGBTQ Romance, MG, MG Fantasy, MG Nonfiction, MG Sci-Fi, MG contemporary, MG mystery, Marginalized Voices, Neurodiversity, Pop Culture, Relationships, Romance, Trauma, YA Contemporary, YA Contemporary Romance, YA Crossover, YA Nonfiction, YA RomCom, YA memoir, Young Adult, narrative non-fiction, narrative non-fiction YA/MG, nonfiction, queer, weird fiction
I’d like the next…
Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert, Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King, Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli, The Serpent’s Secret by Sayantani DasGupta, Holes and Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian, The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, Here for It by R. Eric Thomas, The New Masculinity by Alex Manley, What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo, Hi Honey, I’m Homo! by Matt Baume
My favorites include…
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Please Like Me, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Good Place, Heartstopper, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Welcome to Night Vale
