Olivia Emerick

I am an Assistant Literary Agent at Metamorphosis Literary Agency and a Boston College graduate with a B.A in English and Classics, who has always had her nose in a book. I believe in collaboration, communication, and stories that speak to the human soul. As a writer myself, I’m passionate about advancing authors’ careers while respecting their artistic visions.

I’m looking to represent commercial fiction for young adult and adult audiences in the romance, fantasy, mythology, dark academia, horror, thriller, and dystopian genres. I have a special interest in genre-blending manuscripts and am especially passionate about representing work from neurodivergent and disabled authors.

Across genres, I always look for character development intertwined with the plot, complex, layered characters with rich backgrounds, immersive world-building with strong imagery, interesting side characters, well-revealed exposition, strong character arcs, nuanced relationships, the subversion of well-known tropes, and a mix of plot and character-driven storylines.

Please note that I am not the best person to represent children and middle grade fiction, dark romance, science fiction, high/epic fantasy, literary fiction, non-fiction, domestic thriller, space opera, or western romance.

Romance

I’m always a sucker for a good romance novel, especially those that dip into the contemporary, gothic, historical, sports, cozy, fantasy, and romcom subgenres. I’m interested in all levels of spice and am especially drawn to moments of tenderness balanced with moments of angst, witty banter, longing, emotional vulnerability, and characters with identities outside of their romantic relationships.

Fantasy

Fantasy is easily one of my top three genres to work with, and I especially love fantasy with a contemporary, paranormal, gothic, historical, romantasy, gaslamp cozy, and dark subgenre. I’m always looking for female protagonists, found family ensemble casts, morally gray characters, high stakes, unique and well-thought-out world-building & magic systems, explosive enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and villain-turned-ally arcs.

Mythology/Folklore

I’m looking for retellings or reimaginings as well as manuscripts that apply myth or folklore to historical or contemporary settings. I also adore worlds inspired by myth or with their own mythology! When it comes to manuscripts that draw on existing myths and folklore, I’m especially interested in those from ancient empires, Celtic origins, and Eastern European countries.

Dark Academia

When it comes to dark academia manuscripts, I always keep my eye out for lush, atmospheric imagery, genre-blending elements, and a focus on/allusions to classicism, poetry, theatre, or art within the contemporary, gothic, historical, paranormal, or romantic subgenres. I also love it when dark academia manuscripts veer into magical libraries or museums, secret societies or cults, and mysterious friend groups!

Horror

Horror of all kinds intrigues me, especially when it’s interweaved with a contemporary, fantasy, folklore, gothic, historical, horrormance, paranormal, psychological, or survival subgenre! I’m also drawn to stories that feature dread, sentient settings, descents into madness, religious horror, and feel like an a24 movie or the TV show Yellowjackets.

Thriller

While psychological and gothic thrillers are my favorites, I’m also drawn to legal, paranormal, survival, gaslamp, historical, and contemporary thrillers! Fast pacing is an absolute must, and I especially love unreliable narrators, antagonists’ povs, subtle foreshadowing, and a story that makes me question absolutely everyone.

Dystopian

In the dystopian genre, I’m drawn to apocalyptic, Orwellian, cyberpunk, Huxleyan, post-apocalyptic, and steampunk stories. I’m especially interested in manuscripts that incorporate romance or thriller elements, explore themes of history and propaganda, and feel like the TV show Arcane.

Submission Guidelines

I can be reached through QueryManager! Please follow the guidelines. Any queries sent via email or social media will not be accepted.

I reply to all queries and requested material that I receive, but please allow me up to 8 weeks to do so.

You can find me at: https://QueryTracker.net/query/oliviaemerick

Guidelines & Details