Nina Leon

I’m looking for stories that transport me, introduce me to unforgettable characters, and leave a lasting emotional impact, whether I’m laughing, crying, swooning, or racing through the pages.

I’m open to all genres and ages, but below are my areas of focus:

Romantasy & Fantasy
I’m drawn to submissions with bold, original premises that bring something fresh and exciting to the genre. High heat is preferable, though low heat with compelling romantic tension is equally welcome.

My taste ranges from gothic to cosy, but I often favour grittier, darker undertones. I’m open to a broad range of settings, whether that’s an expansive secondary world, a magical version of our own, a gothic manor full of secrets, or a cosy village touched by magic. If the world feels immersive, I’m hooked.

Above all, I’m looking for brilliant visual storytelling, complex and flawed characters who feel authentically human (or otherwise), and stories that stay with readers long after the final page.

A few favourites:

• Divine Rivals
• The Knight and the Moth
• The Sandman
• Katabasis
• Spells for Forgetting
• The House in the Cerulean Sea

What I’m hoping to see in my queries:

• Horror elements
• Angels (yes, I know this crosses over into paranormal)
• Modern takes on the classics
• Plots with religious symbolism and imagery that add depth, atmosphere, or meaning while not centring around religion itself

Not the best fit for me right now:

• Assassin-led narratives
• Fairytale retellings
• Heavy court intrigue
• Fae (unless it comes with a unique premise)

That said, if your manuscript contains any of these elements but aligns strongly with my broader tastes, I’d be open to taking a look.

Upmarket & Literary Fiction
I’m drawn to rich, vulnerable, and ambitious narratives that explore the complexities of the human experience. I’m open to unconventional storytelling and unusual structures. The stranger the better, provided they serve the story and enhance the reading experience.

While I appreciate beautiful prose, I do prefer submissions that pair exceptional writing with a clearly defined plot.

A few favourites:
• Remarkably Bright Creatures
• Hamnet
• Yellowface

Crime
I love a gripping detective drama, whether set in a quiet village or the heart of a busy city. I’m particularly interested in unique hooks, memorable investigators, and stories with strong series potential.

A few favourites:
• Broadchurch
• Midsomer Murders
• Silent Witness
• The Gentlemen
• Code of Silence
• Inside Man
• Trigger Point
• Unforgotten
• Bodyguard

Romance
Every project I’ve signed contains an element of love, because I’m endlessly fascinated by stories about connection and vulnerability. I’m eager to see romance submissions that challenge genre expectations, whether through unconventional relationships, lost love, unrequited love, second chances, or explorations of the societal pressures surrounding relationships.

I’m equally interested in emotionally devastating stories that leave readers in tears as I am in joyful, uplifting romances that make them laugh out loud. It doesn’t always have to be sunshine and rainbows. If you’ve captured that New Moon devastation we all suffered in our youth, please send it my way.

I would particularly love to see stories with strong romantic tension. Give me lingering glances, impossible choices, slow-burn attraction, and characters who are desperately trying not to fall for one another. If there is yearning, there’s a very good chance you’ll have my attention.

I’d also love to see sports romances with high heat, standout hooks, crackling chemistry, and enough tension to keep readers turning pages late into the night. I’m also particularly fond of characters navigating the messy realities of love: saying the wrong thing in front of a crush, feeling like the perpetual third wheel, or wondering if their future consists solely of cats and increasingly niche hobbies.

A few favourites:
• Eternity (this premise!!!)
• Off Campus
• Vladimir
• Voicemails for Isabelle
• Bridget Jones’s Diary
• The Holiday
• Bridgerton
• Heartstopper

What I’m hoping to see in my queries:

• Bodyguard romance
• Unrequited love
• Last single pringle in the friend group
• Preferring fictional characters over real people because it’s easier

 

Additional Notes:
• While I’m open to all genres and ages, I’m not the best fit for sci-fi unless it’s grounded, as seen in books like The Ministry of Time or The Time Traveler’s Wife.
• Please don’t send me projects that centre around cancer or terminal illness.

My queries are always a safe space for LGBTQIA+ and minority group authors.

 

 

Submission Guidelines

I am CLOSED to queries.

Please submit your query through my QueryManager page:

https://QueryManager.com/NinaLeon

Any queries sent via email will not be considered.

 

 

Guidelines & Details