Olivia (Liv) Turner

I am only accepting agented submissions at this time!

Hello there! As an assistant editor at Sourcebooks, I’m looking for a wide array of projects in both the adult fiction and nonfiction categories. I’m hungry for projects and interested in almost everything (seriously, just continue reading and you’ll see!), so I always say when in doubt, send it along!

Fiction

Overall, I’m looking for adult fiction of all genres that hit the sweet spot between an unputdownable, commercial hook and literary, upmarket writing. I love character driven narratives that make me feel and think deeply, and I never shy away from emotional stories that make it impossible to continue on with my day. Whether it makes me laugh or makes me sob or want to hide, I’m always looking for stories that make me feel immersed in new worlds, characters, and ideas!

With that – give me all the dark, gothic, genre-bending, projects! I love it when a story doesn’t fit neatly into any one box, and especially love stories that are on the darker side, like Motherthing, Rouge, Silver Nitrate, and Nightbitch. I’m also newly looking for commercial horror projects in the vein of The September House, Starling House, I Was a Teenage Slasher, and A Dowry of Blood. Going off of that, I’m incredibly drawn to speculative stories that sprinkle a bit of magic on our everyday world! Some recent favorites being Weyward, Spells for Forgetting, Ink Blood Sister Scribe and The Invisible Hour.

And speaking of magic and speculative – fantasy! I’m newly interested in grounded, commercial and upmarket fantasy and folklore projects in the vein of Ava Reid, V.E. Schwab’ Addie LaRue, R.F. Kuang’s Babel, and Rachel Gillig. I’m also actively looking for cozy fantasy a la Legends and Lattes and Emily Wilde! I love to be immersed in new worlds with a diverse cast of characters I can’t stop rooting for. That being said, epic fantasy and series-oriented projects might not be for me. I’m more interested in standalone works that have potential to grab both the fantasy and general fiction reader.

I’m hungry for “twenty-something” upmarket and literary fiction, some favorites being The Idiot, Luster, Beautiful World, Where Are You, Really Good, Actually, and Good Material. I love the exploration of the often tumultuous and uncomfortable event of growing up, and am especially interested in stories about women, LGBTQIA+, and marginalized communities. When paired with upmarket/literary writing and thought-provoking themes, I find this subcategory irresistible. And in this vein, I’m also always interested in contemporary fiction that explores current issues and topics and focuses on character growth and development and relationships, such as works like You Are Here, The Half Moon, Evil Eye, Demon Copperhead, and We All Want Impossible Things.

I’m a huge fan of nature and eco-literature! I love it when the setting acts almost like a character and plays a major role in the narrative. Whether these themes are in a literary fiction like The Vaster Wilds, a suspense like Birnam Wood or Once There Were Wolves, or even in a speculative novel like The Light Pirate, I’m keeping my eye out for stories that highlight and explore our relationships with the earth and nature.

Of course, I’m always keeping an eye out for thrillers, mystery, and suspense projects – and the twistier and darker the better! I love thrillers that pair deep character exploration with a plot that keeps you on your toes, in the vein of Rebecca Makkai, Bright Young Woman, and Midnight is the Darkest Hour, as well as smart, intricate, multicast mysteries in the Benjamin Stevenson space!

Historical fiction! I can’t deny that I love history. I’m looking for projects set in unique and underrepresented times and places and am especially drawn to pre-Victorian era settings. Even better if there are speculative elements, a la The Familiar and The Warm Hands of Ghosts!

Nonfiction

I’m looking for select commercial narrative nonfiction that teaches me about new and exciting things. I’m fascinated by pop-science, especially when exploring our climate, nature, gardening, etc. Like fiction, I’m drawn to stories that explore and highlight our unique relationships to the planet, some favorites including Braiding Sweetgrass, Fuzz, I Contain Multitudes, Fire Weather, and Entangled Life. I also can’t resist a good adventure story – I love when people do exciting things outdoors!

I’m also always interested in investigative, impactful narratives that tackle big ideas and topics such as Cobalt Red, Eve, Poverty and Wasteland. I’m also looking for cultural criticism that’s accessible to mass audiences, such as works like Trick Mirror, Cultish, and How to Do Nothing. Brownie points if it’s about literature and books in any way!

Some specific wish list items:

• An Appalachian setting. Please.
• Mountains, mountains, more mountains. I’d love a bad ass female lead doing some wild things outdoors.
• A “it’s 3 am and I can’t stop turning the page” kind of suspense novel. I’m good at guessing plot twists, so looking to be shocked!
• Romantic B-plot: I’m a sucker for romance, what can I say. I’m not currently looking for traditional romances, but I can’t deny I want all the swoon-worthy romantic side-plots.
• Mental health themes (neurodivergence, anxiety, etc.)
• Pirates… the ocean… I dream of being Elizabeth Swann, alright?

Submissions should be emailed to olivia.turner@sourcebooks.com