V. Ruiz
D4EO Literary Agency
My Manuscript Wish List®
V. is currently closed to queries.
Unfortunately, I’m still playing catch up on requests and queries, and my client work is keeping me fairly occupied, so I’m remaining closed for some time longer while I continue getting caught up and finding more balance in my schedule.Â
V. Ruiz is a lesbian, Mexican-American agent and author, who aspires to make publishing more equitable by working as an advocate for their authors. With nearly ten years of editing experience across literary and commercial genres, V. is eager to work with authors who have a vision for their career and/or multiple projects and who are open to editorial guidance and feedback. Recently, they worked as an acquisitions editor and project manager with Row House Publishing (distributed by Simon and Schuster) for over three years. V. is always eager to hear from voices who have been systemically underrepresented in publishing. They also hold an MFA in creative writing and are an author themselves.
They have worked on over 25 titles as an editor. Aside from editing, they have previously ghostwritten nonfiction and fiction titles (over 15) in topics ranging from finance to small town romance.
V. navigates neurodiversity as a self-realized autistic person raising an autistic teen. They also have OCD and always love hearing from authors that write about the vast facets of neurodiversity. When V. isn’t writing or reading, they are studying astrology, playing video games, or trekking across the world to scream their heart out at a concert.
V. Ruiz works with D4EO Literary Agency.
ABOUT AI USAGE
V. will not upload any materials or manuscripts to any generative LLM AI or AI detectors, nor do they use it for any aspect of their work. They are 1000% against it.
Fun facts about me:
I didn’t get my passport until I was in my 30’s and now I really enjoy traveling even if it’s for a short trip or just for a concert. My writing path began in poetry so I have a deep appreciation for other poets turned novelists. It also means I prioritize upmarket language over plot as much as possible, though I do work with more pacey YA writing. I’m a huge homebody and love playing video games, crafting, and cooking. I cook a LOT and absolutely love experimenting with new recipes but I’m terrible at sticking to the instructions. I’m also a parent to a book-addicted teen.
Submission Guidelines
Please send all submissions through Query Tracker. (V. is closed to queries and hopes to reopen in November).
Current query timeline: All initial queries through July 19 have been reviewed and responded to.Â
If your query was sent before July 19, and you have not heard back, you’re welcome to check in. If you have a partial or full request, please anticipate hearing back within 120 days (partials) and six months (full), though the timeline may be longer. I always respond to queries and you’re welcome to check in.
MSWL Last updated OCT 11Â
For Picture Books (Fiction and Nonfiction):
Please send a query letter and complete the form. Some questions are optional. Please upload the full manuscript.
For Fiction (YA, MG, and Adult):
Please send a query letter and complete the form. Some questions are optional. Please upload an attachment with the first 10 pages.
For Nonfiction:
Please send a query letter and complete the form. Some questions are optional. Please upload an attachment with the full proposal.
Content Warnings:Â Please use the space in Query Tracker to inform me of any content warnings for violence against women, LGBTQ+ people, and children.
Manuscript Wishlist
This was last updated for my July submission period. It will be updated soon for my July open period.Â
Picture Books
Things I am looking for:
- Funny and sassy books with bold characters.
- Books that highlight under represented family dynamics, particularly if they highlight LGBTQ+ families.
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural books that highlight culture (preferably those that are not just focused on food aspects).
- Stories that help children understand new and big emotional concepts (grief, illness, big moves).
- Retellings and reimaginings of folk tales, myths. Or folklore inspired.
- Books that have an age-appropriate amount darkness to them whether it be about witches, or ghosts, or vampires, etc.
- Books that highlight disability but which prioritize the disabled readers versus being geared strictly towards able-bodied children.
What I generally do not like:
- Stories where the main character is a standard animal. Though I love the idea of whimsical beings.
- I’m a hard sell on rhyming but if it fits the MSWL, feel free to try it!
Middle Grade
I’ll be newly opening to middle grade soon. But I will be open to very specific genres only: horror/thriller/mystery; and/or contemporary stories that have a strong voice and a bold character; and/or that highlight disability, culture, and queerness. I’m not currently looking for any other genres of middle grade.
Fiction (Adult and Teens)
Please know I actively seek out stories with diverse casts and MCs. I know “diverse” is a broad word. For me, I tend to prioritize working on projects with Queer MCs, working with BIPOC writers, and working on stories that highlight disability or mental health through characters or story.
Fantasy
- I’m always looking for fantasy based on folklore and mythology from cultures (I’m a bit tapped out on Greek retellings and am prioritizing non-Eurocentric retellings).
- I’d also love to see cozy fantasy and even more so if prioritizing cozy from a BIPOC or disabled perspective. For cozy, I veer towards shorter word count (preferably under 90k).
- I am a hard sell on epic fantasy, but I am open to being wooed especially if it’s a kind of reimagining.
- I prioritize poetic language in fantasy and vivid, immersive settings whether of our world or another world.
- When there is romance involved, I tend to prefer it as a secondary plot versus being the core driving force of the story.
Romance
- I enjoy when romance brings in tough subjects alongside the hope/love across all genres.
- I’d love to see genre romance across the board, and/or genre blends with romance as a core plot. While I am a harder sell on romantasy, I am open to something like a cozy fantasy romance or romantasy that touches on other aspects of my list. I will always be open to romantasy based in myths or non European cultures. The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang was a romantasy I enjoyed recently because of how much it stood out to me.
- I’d also like to see some dark romance, especially if there are some lighthearted and comedic moments or characters who feel new to dark romance.
- I’d love to see horror romance or erotic/romantic thrillers.
- I’m particularly about contemporary romance. I need to feel like there are new dynamics being explored or character identities and backgrounds that aren’t as easily found. I’m eager to read more contemporary romance from disabled authors writing characters with disability–though it does not have to be a core focus of the plot.
COMMERCIAL / BOOK CLUB / WOMEN’S FICTION / LGBTQ+ FICTION
- I would love to see more commercial fiction or women’s fic/LGBTQ+ fic where magical realism plays an element.
- I tend to like a speculative element woven in.
- I highly prioritize voice in this subgenre. I need to feel like our POV character(s) are offering a lens on their world that feels essential. Like the story could belong to no other voice or character.
- I love messy coming of age stories–people navigating identity, purpose, connection, found family, etc, and doing it all imperfectly.
- For book club fiction, I like for these to offer a kind of “intro to the genre” element, where it isn’t solidly contemporary but weaves in larger genre elements that allow for engaged and intense conversation. If I can’t shut up about a part of the book, I’ll be hooked.
I’M NOT THE AGENT FOR…
- Romance that incorporate a love interest with real-life armed forces in any capacity (no military, police, etc. with the love interest or MC).
- I’m only interested in historical romance that features Queer characters.
- I am a hard sell on “sports” romance though some have caught my attention in the past.
Triller / Horror
- I prefer ones that don’t have sexual violence as a core element.
- Like with romance, I enjoy thrillers that incorporate genre or speculative elements, but it’s not a requirement.
- I lean more towards thrillers vs straight horror, but I am open to horror that is psychological or speculative.
- I’m really interested in folk horror or Appalachian writers/settings/folklore.
- I’m always looking for campy thrillers/horror. Comedic elements alongside the dark aspects, will always get me.
- I’m open to climate fiction, but it isn’t top of my list and it’s a genre I’m broadly less familiar with.
- I love twisty thrillers, but I’m strict about the hindsight aspect. The twists need to click in a strong way that will leave me unsettled.
- Give me more fem rage, always. Women playing the villain, especially when speaking to larger societal expectations.
- I think of Horror as an avenue for exploring our fears within society at large, so I tend to like seeing an underlying connection point that takes the story beyond just the character motivations and ties in larger discussion points.
Science Fiction
While I am still open to Science fiction, it is a hard sell for me. But some specific subgenres do interest me.
- Afrofuturism – even more so if there’s ties to Hoodoo or rootwork.
- Solarpunk and sci-fi with a kind of eco-focus.
- Dystopian/Utopians, especially if they have the feel of the YA market in the late 2000’s.
I’M NOT THE AGENT FOR…
- If the book’s plot revolves a lot around aliens, in a familiar way, I’m not really interested.
- If the book takes place on another planet, it may be tough for me.
- If the book has AI as a core element, I’m a tough sell.
- If it’s military sci-fi, I am not really interested.
Genre-Benders
I’m always interested in seeing titles that borrow from multiple genres, even more so if the line level writing feels lyrical or literary.
- Huge fan of “weird girl lit.”
- Would love to see some Horror-romance
- Historical Horror
- Cozy Sci-Fi that makes the genre feel a bit more accessible to newer sci-fi readers.
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The above isn’t prescriptive, but it will hopefully give you an idea.
Nonfiction (Adult)
I’m only taking nonfiction queries in the following subgenres:
Esoteric / Spirituality
I’m open to seeing proposals for esoteric topics and tarot decks. I prefer those that have a decolonized approach, are linked to ancestral practices, or make topics accessible. Keep in mind I have a background in folk practices and astrology. Please do not send memoirs that you believe have a spiritual undertone, I’m not looking for personal narratives, rather introductory texts, how-to’s, history and context, pop culture takes, etc.
Cookbooks
As a foodie who has many food allergies (so I’m always cooking) and a huge collection of cookbooks I’m open to representing cookbook authors. I prefer those that share cultural recipes, have a unique approach to an already done topic, or those that are linked to other popculture topics.
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Vital Info
Favorite sub-genres:
#Dis, #ownvoices, #wndb, AAPI Fantasy, AAPI Horror, AAPI Sci-Fi, Accessible Literary Fiction, Activism, Adult, Adult Horror, Adult Rom Com, Adult Romantasy, Adult SFF, African Diaspora, African Fantasy, African Sci-Fi, Africanfuturism, Asian American Literature, Asian Diaspora, Asian Fantasy, Asian Horror, Asian Sci-Fi, Author-Illustrator, Author-Illustrators, BIPOC, BIPOC Fantasy, BIPOC Horror, BIPOC Mystery, BIPOC Sci-Fi, BVM, Book Club, Books about books, California, Caribbean Literature, Category Romance, Character -Driven History, Character-Driven Horror, Character-driven SciFi, Chick Lit, Chicklit, Children's, Classic retellings with BIPOC characters, Clever picture book, Cli-Fi, Climate Fiction, Commercial Women's Fiction, Commercial YA, Commercial adult fiction, Commercial and Literary, Complicated Relationships, Concept SF, Contemporary Culture, Contemporary Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary YA, Contemporary Young Adult, Cozy Fantasy, Cross-genre, Cyberpunk, Dark Female Friendships, Dark Humor, Dark topics with a light touch, Diaspora Narratives, Disability, Diverse Protagonists, Diversity, Domestic Fiction, Domestic Suspense, Domestic Suspense/Thriller, Dystopia, Dystopian, East Asian Literature, Engaged Activism, Ensemble Casts, Epic Fantasy, Epistolary, Expat/Exile Literature, Experimental, Fabulism, Fairytale Retellings, Family Drama, Fantasy, Fantasy Grounded in Reality, Fantasy Romance, Fantasy YA, Female Friendships, Feminism, Feminist, Feminist Horror, Feminist SF/F, First Person, Folklore, Food, Food Writing, Found Families, Gothic, Gothic Fantasy, Gothic Horror, Grief, Grounded, Grounded fantasy, Hauntings, High Concept, High Fantasy, High-Concept Literary Commercial Fiction, High-concept YA, High-concept YA/MG, Historical Fantasy, Historical Fantasy; Fantasy Grounded In Reality, Historical Fiction YA, Historical RomCom, Historical Women's Fiction, Horror Comedy, Humor YA, Hybrid, Immigrant Experiences, Immigrant Voices, Indigenous Futurism, Indigenous Sciences, Issue-Driven, LGBT YA, LGBTQ Contemporary, LGBTQ Romance, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ+ Fantasy, LGBTQ+ Sci-Fi, LGBTQ+ rom coms, LGBTQIA, LGBTQIAP, Latine Diaspora, Latinx Fantasy, Latinx Horror, Latinx Sci-Fi, Latinx stories, Layered Family Stories with multiple narrators, Layered Rom-Coms and Comedy of Manners with a cultural component, Literary Crossover, Literary Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Literary Horror, Literary Science Fiction, Literary Thriller, Literary YA, Literary YA & MG, Literary YA/MG, Low Fantasy, Magic, Magic Realism, Magical Realism, Magical Realism YA, Magick, Marginalized Voices, Mental Health, Mind/Body/Spirit, Minority Voices, Modern Retellings of Fairy Tales, Modernized Mythologies, Monsters, Mothers and Daughters, Multicultural, Multicultural Romance, Multicultural and Diverse Thriller and Mystery, Multigenerational, Multiple POV, Multiple Timelines, Muslim, Mythic, Mythic Horror, Mythology, Near future, Near-future SF, Neo-Victorian, Neurodiversity, New Adult, New Weird, Novels in Verse, Occult, Occult Horror, Occult Nonfiction, Own Voices, POC, Paranormal, Paranormal Horror, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal Thriller, Picture Book, Picture book non-fiction, Portal fantasy, Post-apocalyptic, Psychological Horror, Psychological Suspense, Psychological Thrillers, Racial Justice, Regency Romance, Retellings, Rom-com, RomCom, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Drama, Romantic Suspense, Romantic Thriller, SWANA Fantasy, SWANA Horror, SWANA Sci-Fi, Same-Sex Romance, Sci-fi Thriller, SciFi Romance, Science Fiction YA, Science Fiction and Fantasy Favorite sub-genres: Absolutely all of them!, Second World SF, Soft Fantasy, Soft Science Fiction, Solarpunk, South Asian, South East Asian Literature, Southern Fiction, Southern Gothic, Southern Literary, Speculative, Speculative Fiction, Speculative Thriller, Spirituality, Steampunk, Steamy RomComs, Study Abroad Stories, Subernatural Horror, Suspense, Tarot, Tech Thrillers, Techno-Horror, Thriller, Thrillers, Time Travel, Time Travel Romance, Underrepresented Voices, Upmarket Commercial Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Upmarket Women's Fiction, Upmarket YA, Urban Fantasy, Verse, West African Literature, Women's Fiction, Women's Issues, Worldbuilding, YA, YA Contemporary, YA Contemporary Romance, YA Contemporary Romance with layers, YA Crossover, YA Fantasy, YA Historical Fantasy, YA Mystery, YA Rom-Coms, YA RomCom, YA Romance, YA Romantasy, YA SF/F, YA Sci-fi, YA Science Fiction, YA Thrillers, YA fantasy/light sci-fi, YA horror, YA rom com, YA thriller/mystery, YA/MG graphic novel, Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction (Historical Fiction only), Young Adult Narrative Non-Fiction (Both Contemporary and Historical Narrative Non-Fiction), Young Adult Non-Fiction, afrofuturism, alternate history, bad at feelings, beach reads, bilingual, body horror, book club fiction, books in translation, campus novel, character-focused fiction, character-focused stories, children's diversity, classic retellings, comedy, coming of age, commercial, commerical, commerical women's fiction, contemp, contemporary, contemporary women's fiction, cook book, crossover, crossover adult, crossover appeal, culinary, dark academia, dark fantasy, diasporic, diverse, diverse and own voices, diverse heroines, diverse voices, domestic thrillers, dramedy, eco-fiction, enemies to lovers, epic, epistolary novels, fairy tales, family saga, family stories, fantastical, fantasy of manners, feminine narratives, folklore history, found family, friendship, friendship stories, fun SF/F, gaslamp fantasy, ghost story, gothic romance, high concept fiction, high-concept science fiction, historical romance, hopepunk, horror, hurt/comfort, immigration, inclusive sf/f, indigenous futurisms, invisible disability, light Sci-Fi, light fantasy, literary, literary mystery, literary suspense, love stories, mental illness, mythpunk, near-future science fiction, picture books, pining, psychology, queer, queer horror, queer narratives, quirky, realistic fiction, rivals to lovers, rom-coms, romantacy, romantasy, romantic New Adult, romantic fantasy, romantic suspense/mystery, sci-fi, science fantasy, science fiction, science fiction epic, science fiction horror, scifi thriller, slow burn, slow burn romance, soft science, southern, space horror, speculative slice of life, stories that don't fit neatly into a genre, subversive, sweet romance, traditional fantasy, upmarket genre fiction, upmarket/book club with female protagonist, weird fiction, whimsical, witchcraft, witches, witty
I’d like the next…
My favorites include…
Favorite Books:
In terms of recently, I love RF Kuang’s work on a deep level. I also really enjoy Carmen Maria Machado’s work. Lisa Jewell. The Legendborn Cycle. Hanif Abdurraqib’s They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us.Â
My life-changing, favorite books are likely The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, Bright Dead Things by Ada Limón, How to Write an Autobiographical Essay by Alexander Chee, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
At least once a month I think about Erotic Stories for Punjabi Women despite the fact that I read it years ago. I think often about The Last Night at the Telegraph Club and how affirming it was.
Favorite TV:
I enjoy Kdramas. See You in my Nineteenth Life and A Time Called You are wildly good. I’m also consistently watching reality TV shows in the background. Lately, I’ve been enjoying Ginny and Georgia.Â
Favorite Movies:
I grew up obsessed with Donnie Darko. I still really enjoy it, but I also spend a lot of time watching animated movies. I love all things Studio Ghibli.
Favorite Music:
I’m a huge fan of Stray Kids (Bangchan and Han bias), P1Harmony, Ateez, TXT, and Aespa. Love love love BTS (RM and Yoongi bias) Aside from KPop, I listen to a lot of Sabrina Carpenter, Chapel Roan, and Young Miko. I really like Metric and Hozier too! Lately, I’ve discovered and fallen in love with flowerovlove and Rachel Chinouriri who are newer on my list but have a great vibe.
