Sidney Boker

I joined InkWell in 2022, after freelance work with Kirkus Reviews and Pegasus Books. Before that, I graduated from the Columbia Publishing Course and Mount Holyoke College with a BA in English and minors in psychology and anthropology.

I represent YA through adult (including new adult/crossover) fiction across a variety of genres, including genre mash-ups. My preference is for genre, commercial, and upmarket fiction that balances emotional depth with narrative momentum, and is full of heart, humor, and a bit of strangeness.

Fantasy, mostly
I’m a fan of high to low fantasy (and very select hard to soft sci-fi), especially if the story is centered in character and emotion, with a preference for standalones. Think the epic intensity of Arcane (show), the gentleness and humor of Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher, or alternatively, the darkness and humor of Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher. I want books where magic or tech exists to serve character and theme—not just worldbuilding for worldbuilding’s sake. Blood Over Brighthaven by M. L. Wang is an excellent example!

I love stories that feel big in concept but personal in execution, like These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs and The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez, or The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland and When Among Crows by Veronica Roth on the more grounded end. Other examples across mediums that capture this vibe are Fallout (show) and Spirited Away (movie). I like visually rich, emotionally raw, often queer stories that are rooted in complex relationships.

Horror/Thriller
I want horror that leans surreal, psychological, or even darkly funny, not really gore for gore’s sake. The Last of Us (game) and Interview with the Vampire (show) are good tonal matches. Dark and emotional with relationships/humanity at the core.

I’m often drawn to female-driven stories which is why some of my favorites include House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland and Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield.

Also down for thrillers! My favorites tend to offer smart social commentary and again, are often female-focused like The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon, Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo.

Grab bag!
I also love contemporary humor like Excavations by Kate Myers and Margot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe. I like funny, chaotic, sexy, voice-driven work as well as explorations of grief, identity, relationships, and/or quirky life things.

I’m all for big yearning, banter with tension, and a story that makes me believe in love, but straight up contemporary romance is tough for me. It needs to have something that stands out, like One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston (speculative element) or the All for the Game series by Nora Sakavic (the mafia is really invested in college sports).

Last notes
I like things that are weird! And I’m open to genre bending! If your book is hard to categorize but you know it works, don’t be afraid to send it.

If it’s multi-POV, I want to be able to tell exactly whose POV I’m reading without having to check who it is. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver is my gold standard!

Things I’d like to see??

• Something that feels like Arcane (magic, lesbians, social commentary)
• A sapphic western (been chasing the high of Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens since 2023)
• Underrepresented folklore/myths/obscure creatures, gods, and histories (The Maid and the Crocodileby Jordan Ifueko for example)
• Something Below Deck-y! Boats, money, rank, close quarters, DRAMA…
• Heated Rivalry x All for the Game???
• Friendship! Friendship like I would walk to the end of the earth with you, I would move mountains for you, yes I will drop you off at the airport and help you move, I want to build my life so that you are in it because you’re my friend and I love you. Romantic love is not the be all and end all of love.
• That said, I love a throuple. I am a Sokka/Suki/Zuko shipper lol. See also Challengers (movie)
• Children of immigrants (“my grand/parents love me in a language I don’t understand” </3)

Not for me

• Miscommunication as the main conflict, insta-love, abusive relationships framed as romantic, huge age gaps
• Fae, Twilight-y vampires/werewolves, fated mates
• Romance that happens to be set in a fantasy world (I prefer it for my fantasy to maybe have some romance, not the other way around)
• Historical fiction without any speculative or other genre elements
• Real-world war/military stuff
• Novels in verse
• Picture books
• AI generated writing or artwork

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to submissions@inkwellmanagement.com

Queries should be emailed to: su*********@***************nt.com

In the body of your email, please include a query letter and a short writing sample (1-2 chapters) and address the email to me either at the beginning of the e-mail, or put it at my attention in the subject line.

Guidelines & Details