Ryan Amato

Hi there! I’m an associate editor at Hanover Square Press and have been with HarperCollins since 2022. Right now, I am primarily looking for high-concept fiction of all genres and commercial narrative nonfiction that taps into cultural moments. I read widely across genres—including speculative, fantasy, horror, science fiction, literary fiction, upmarket, romance, thriller, memoir, pop culture—and appreciate books that have an emphasis on diverse voices and experiences. Below is a comprehensive overview of what I’m looking for in each genre and some examples to give you a sense of what might be a good fit for me.

Fiction

Contemporary Fiction

In contemporary fiction, I look for a clear commercial edge. I love a book with an obvious hook: the more conceptual, the better. If it can be pitched in a sentence or two, or if it blends genres, it’s probably for me. If leaning more literary, I’d love really grounded and memorable main characters (bonus points if queer!) whose worldviews or relationships prey on my emotions.

Some favorites (based on concept):

• WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy
• YESTERYEAR by Caro Clare Burke (I also love a connection to a current cultural conversation)
•  FRUIT FLY by Josh Silver

Some favorites (based on emotional storytelling):

• TELL ME HOW TO BE by Neel Patel
• LUSTER by Raven Leilani
• NORMAL PEOPLE by Sally Rooney

Horror

I tend to gravitate toward literary, thriller, and psychological horror. My favorites tend to either have really inventive plots that take you by surprise or use horror as a vehicle to draw a metaphor to real life. All books that are weird, grotesque, uncomfortable, gothic, or dark are welcome. I can take it! As the horror genre grows at large, I’m also on the lookout for any self-published horror that has found or is growing an audience.

Some favorites:

• MONSTRILIO by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
• THE LAMB by Lucy Rose
• THE REFORMATORY by Tananarive Due
• INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE by Josh Malerman
• ODESSA by Gabrielle Sher

Fantasy

I love all kinds of fantasy, from high to low, cozy to grimdark. I just want to be taken on a journey, one that has lots of twists and turns, memorable characters, and a world that’s full of life. I definitely have a preference for high fantasy, especially if there is an ensemble cast of characters (though not required for my enjoyment). I’d love to grow queer representation in the genre, so definitely send me any fantasies that have a queer element.

Some favorites:

• MISTBORN by Brandon Sanderson
• THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE by Samantha Shannon
• A FATE INKED IN BLOOD by Danielle L. Jensen
• THE EVERLASTING by Alix E. Harrow
• INNAMORATA by Ava Reid

Science Fiction & Dystopia

Science fiction and dystopia are two different genres to me but for the sake of this wishlist I will lump them together. In science fiction specifically, I love anything that feels otherworldly and deals heavily with outer space. I tend to enjoy a science element but it shouldn’t be dense and the voice should be really strong; similarly to fantasy, I care more about the plot and how much it grabs my attention. In dystopia, I love it as a vehicle for allegory and satire, and when done well it can really shine. I’m excited to see it evolving into more genre- and plot-led territory like dystopian romance, so I’m open for all dystopias as long as they have a clear premise.

Some sci-fi favorites:

• PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir
• ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells
• RED RISING by Pierce Brown

Some dystopia favorites:

• CHAIN-GANG ALL-STARS by Nana Kwame Adjei Brenyah
• THE COMPOUND by Aisling Rawle
• DAGGERMOUTH by H. M. Wolfe

Other Speculative Fiction

I’m also open to anything that doesn’t fit into the defined genres of horror, fantasy, or science fiction. Even if there is a slight speculative element, I’d love to see it.

Historical

I don’t always gravitate toward historical fiction, but the ones I like usually find me rather than me finding them, and they typically have a really compelling premise or have strong plots.

Some favorites:

• THE PRETTIEST STAR by Carter Sickels
• THE NIGHTINGALE by Kristen Hannah
• KIN by Tayari Jones
• BY ANY OTHER NAME by Jodi Picoult

Mystery & Thriller

I usually enjoy mystery and thriller when blended with other genres, but I am also open to them on their own! I’m a big fan of whodunits and love the Knives Out style of storytelling. I love an ensemble cast and any type of puzzle solving.

Nonfiction

I’m also looking for nonfiction, with a strong narrative focus in both memoir and pop culture. I’d like to see works that have a really compelling voice, extraordinary hook, and/or cultural appeal.

Memoir

I tend to gravitate toward buzzy celebrity memoirs, but I’m also on the lookout for any personal stories that have really strong emotional storytelling or are just so extraordinary you can’t help but to keep reading.

Some memoir favorites:

• EDUCATED by Tara Westover
• CRYING IN H MART by Michelle Zauner
• I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED by Jennette McCurdy

Pop Culture

For pop culture narratives, I really appreciate any books that try to tap into the cultural zeitgeist or relate to prominent cultural moments. I am just so chronically online and consume media in all forms (books, TV, film, music, short/long-form video content, video games, social media, etc.) that these conversations can happen anywhere, but I love the way we consume or interact with media. I also just am a fan of niche topics or narrative histories that might teach us something about the world; I love to learn, and these types of books are my favorite way to do so.

Some pop culture favorites:

• ALGOSPEAK by Adam Aleksic
• SUPER NINTENDO by Keza MacDonald
• ALIEN EARTHS by Lisa Kaltenegger
• MOOD MACHINE by Liz Pelly

Specific things I’d like to see but not specific to genre (updating regularly)

• I want a LitRPG!
• More cyberpunk and steampunk books
• Healthcare drama/thriller (like The Pitt)
• Anything related to reality TV competitions. Either contemporary or speculative, but I want to get that feeling of watching a show, not getting a behind-the-scenes look at production
• A book on vlogging; either the comprehensive history of or a deeper look into the era and its controversies today
• Amazing stories with roots in fanfiction (I know they’re out there!)

Things that are probably not for me:

• Children’s books (picture books, middle grade, YA) 
• Anything too academic in voice or content
• Self-help, wellness, or business books
• Religion, spirituality, or strong religious influence
• Parables or fables
• Very experimental literary fiction
• Poetry and/or novels in verse

Note: This list is just a brief overview of what I’d like to see. Not all of my interests or considerations are captured here, so if you aren’t sure if something would be a good fit for me, share it anyway!

Agents: If we haven’t met, email me to set up a meeting. Hope to see you in my inbox!

Submission Guidelines

I am only accepting agented submissions for adult fiction and narrative nonfiction. Any work that is unagented I am unable to consider at this time, and cannot guarantee a response.

Agents, if you can, please include in your email subject line the book title, author name, and genre (fiction or nonfiction).

My contact details are on my Publishers Marketplace page.