Vicky Weber

I’m a former elementary school teacher turned children’s book author and literary agent. I represent commercial fiction – board books through adult – and love stories that are standout, weird, and quirky.

In all manuscripts, I want intensity in the writing. (Give me all the feels!) I want to be dropped into the moment and experience the story alongside the characters. Character development and emotional arcs go hand-in-hand with the plot. If a book is high-concept, commercial fiction with beautiful, literary-leaning prose, it’s probably up my alley.

I’ve recently had lots of authors confused about this so here’s an analogy I came up with:

• • Commercial is like popular music you’d hear on the radio: designed to entertain. It is catchy, has mass appeal, and follows familiar structures and themes that resonate with a wide audience.
  • Upmarket is like indie pop music. It blends the accessibility of mainstream concepts with a touch of artistic flair and originality. These appeal to both general listeners and those who appreciate a bit more depth by balancing engaging stories with a higher level of writing quality and thematic complexity or statements.
  • Literary is like opera or a symphonic orchestra. It prioritizes artistic expression and innovation over broad appeal, often challenging the audience with its complexity and depth. These may not be for everyone, but they are deeply appreciated by those who seek a rich, contemplative experience, profound themes, and connections beyond the book, often involving social commentary.

When possible, I heavily prefer to work with BIPOC, queer, disabled, and neurodivergent authors across all genres, but the writing always takes precedent. 

Adult/YA Wishlist:

• Thriller/Suspense
  • Psychological with deep characterization (Think SERIAL KILLER SUPPORT GROUP)
  • Paranormal/Supernatural
  • Gothic Thrillers with immersive, moody settings
  • High stakes and slow-burns (tension and/or romance)
• Commercial or Upmarket Fiction
  • Escapism with depth
• Horror (Everything but slashers)
  • Haunted House Stories (Think THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR by Darcy Coates)
  • Gothic Horror with psychological depth (Think GHOST MOTHER)
  • Supernatural Horror (Ghosts, curses, and eerie, atmospheric settings)
  • Maritime Horror (i.e. FROM BELOW)
  • Anything comped to the Flanaverse
• Fantasy
  • Dark Fantasy
  • High/Epic Fantasy (I love Brandon Sanderson!)
  • Romantasy
  • Magical Realism
  • Speculative
• Romance
  • Gothic, historical, or contemporary
  • Broody or tortured heroes
  • Slowburn and blended with another genre
• Mystery
  • Anything with an eerie, supernatural edge—traditional cozies aren’t my vibe
• Women’s fiction
• Historical Fiction (But not World War stories)
  • Lesser-known pieces of history or unique twists on historical tales
  • Stories with a “social scary” layer—exploring societal fears through a historical lens

Not for me:

• Sci-fi or space operas
• Novellas, anthologies, short stories
• Poetry
• Time travel & multi-verse
• Zombie apocalypse
• Graphic sexual assault scenes
• Erotica
• Dark Comedy
• Literary fiction

Hard sells (Things I am open to but see a lot in my inbox): vampires, assassins, witches, memory loss.

Picture Book Wishlist:

• Author-illustrators only, except for conference attendees or pitch events I’m participating in.
  • Highly giftable, commercial fiction
  • Funny but not punny
  • Distinct PB voice
  • Lyrical prose that tugs at my heartstrings (make me cry without grief-related subject matter!)
  • Playful “picture book magic” moments, full of heart
  • Familiar storylines with a fresh twist or perspective
  • Whimsical, slightly offbeat characters that feel instantly memorable (think grumpy cupcakes, competitive grandmas, toddler detectives, dramatic vegetables, etc)
  • Stories that lean into universal childhood experiences in a way that feels new
  • Visual storytelling opportunities—text that leaves room for the art to do some heavy lifting

Not for me:

• Picture books with potty humor or fart jokes
• Heavy-handed morals
• Rhyme (unless it’s for ages 0-3).
• Graphic novels
• Teams where the author and illustrator are different people.
• I am not currently looking for non-fiction picture books or stories that teach a lesson.

Vicky only accepts via QueryManager.

***Unfortunately, I am no longer able to provide a reason or feedback when I pass on a manuscript. I appreciate your understanding.

Guidelines & Details