Manuscript Wishlist

This page will be updated regularly. Last updated 11/16/2023.

At HarperCollins, I’m searching for commercial books with literary merit. I prioritize centering voices that have been marginalized, and am looking for authors from all identities, experiences, and especially those who haven’t seen themselves in children’s books. Stories matter!

My personal tastes skew towards exciting, upbeat, adventure-driven A-plots that are complemented by uplifting and affirming B-plots. If the driving plotline can be something exciting—monsters, superheroes, mysteries—and the characters can learn important lessons about self-acceptance, empathy, and healthy relationship-building, it’s probably a great fit for me! I love joyful, happy stories that leave readers with hope!

I often say I love speculative rom-coms, but that “rom” can apply to any platonic, familial, or other relationship—as long as it has that dynamic arc and is the heart of the story.

While I love a high-concept hook, I do want a story that feels grounded in today’s world, either contemporary or with a pinch of magic/genre (what I’m calling Genre Lite)!

When considering a book, I always ask myself what readers will take away from a story. What can a kid reader learn from this story about themselves, their friends, and their world?

I am not currently considering picture book submissions.

Middle Grade

In middle grade, I’d love a read-alike to Tanita S. Davis and Lisa Greenwald with a speculative or light genre twist. I love stories that reflect the strange and somewhat messy experience of being a tween and navigating changing relationships—to friends, family, crushes, and the world.

I look particularly for that feeling of hope, optimism, or magic.

YES

  • Mysteries

  • Adventures

  • Shenanigans and plots gone wrong

PROBABLY NO

  • High fantasy

  • Camp stories

  • Circus stories

  • Theatre, sports, or band books where the activity is the bulk of the plot

  • Portal fantasy

  • Diary-based formats

  • Graphic novels

  • Darker, heavier stories

DREAM PROJECT

  • “National Treasure” for tweens with historical elements

  • First crush or crush-based shenanigans getting out of hand

Teen

Category I’m looking for the most!

For teen, I’m searching for standout stories with strong commercial hooks and writing that is accessible but literary. I love what I would call Rom-com+—books that set up a love story in a unique, gripping, and fast-paced plot, either due to some overarching theme, a dash of magic, or a bit of genre, especially with a cinematic sensibility.

While I love sweetness in my YA, I want the whole cupcake, not just the frosting. I look for strong plots, even for rom-coms, and relatable/realistic stakes are a must!

YES

  • Humor

  • Speculative

  • Mystery

  • Diverse rom-coms (especially unique POVs, including boy-interest romcoms!)

  • Friend-com (platonic rom-coms, ace rep)

  • Genre mash-ups, especially with rom-com (i.e., horror rom-com)

PROBABLY NO

  • High fantasy

  • Beach reads

  • Anthologies without strong overarching plot

  • Historical (fantasy or otherwise)

  • Theatre, sports, or band books where the activity is the bulk of the plot

  • Graphic novels

  • Novels in verse

DREAM PROJECTS

  • Monster or myth retellings, especially with a romantic twist

  • Romantic post-apocalyptic with adventure/humor to keep it light

  • “The Afterparty”-style murder-mystery anthology with different genres

  • “Pushing Daisies”-style impossible romance with a detective and/or paranormal twist

  • Anything inspired by “The Traitors”

Let’s Get Coffee!

Are you an agent whose list matches my wishlist? I want to meet you!