Megan Manzano

Updated 10/05/22

I am looking to represent middle grade, young adult, and adult literary fiction across multiple genres. I am a sucker for atmosphere (in setting and in tone), voice that leaps off the page, characters who will make me laugh and cry all at the same time, and a deep exploration of interpersonal relationships.

Traditionally underrepresented creators are encouraged to query me! Your voices and stories are needed by so many readers.

FOR ADULT FICTION

• My tastes in literary fiction are best summed up with Erin Morgenstern, Morgan Rogers, Madeline Miller, and N.K. Jemisin. I love great prose with characters at the forefront. I’d especially love to see queer relationships, stories with some kind of speculative element, unusual settings, an exploration of family/found family, and dark academia.
• While literary fiction is preferred for adult, I’m open to stories that lean upmarket.

FOR MG & YA

• Contemporary: Give me darker contemporary with complex family dynamics or odd jobs or shadows lurking in a forest. I’d also love to see fluffy contemporary stories about friendships, developing first crushes, beginning to question/learn about your identity and quieter plots – ie stories with more personal and character driven stakes. Anything that explores what it means to grow up is a favorite of mine and really important for younger reads to have in their hands.
• Thrillers: I’d love a mystery set in a small town, a survival thriller, a story driven by an unreliable narrator, a group of misfits working together to solve a case, or a thriller blended with speculative elements.
• Romance: Give me more diverse romances: best friends to lovers, slow burn, and stories that make me feel good while reading and have happy endings. If you have a queer rom-com, please send it immediately! Romances that are in the backdrop of a speculative world are more than welcome too.
• Fantasy: Give me light fantasy, magical realism, and everyday society with a spark of magic. Bonus points if you have Fae! I am NOT accepting high fantasy at this time.

Elements I’m always looking for:

• Queer Rep
• Stories by BIPOC authors
• Neurodiversity
• Polyamory
• Teens who don’t go to college
• Sex positive stories
• Gray Morality/Anti-Heroes
• Slow burn relationships
• Angst
• Mental health rep
• Soft/Geeky Characters
• Strong friendships/sibling relationships

I am not the best fit for:

• Stories containing vivid descriptions of demon possession, exorcisms, or hauntings. Gore, creepy elements, and atmosphere are fine.
• Werewolves
• Superheroes
• Animal protagonists
• Books where sports are the main focus
• Historical Fiction
• Non-Fiction
• Picture/Chapter Books
• Graphic Novels
• Screenplays

Submission Guidelines