Romance

Twitter Alert

Rebecca Eskildsen at Writers House and Rebecca's MSWL.

Interview Alert

Literary Agent Interview: Samantha Wekstein Interview and Query Critique Giveaway

Samantha Wekstein at Thompson Literary Agency

“What She’s Looking For:

What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

I represent almost all age groups from picture books, middle grade and YA through adult!

...On the adult side, I’m looking for commercial romance in the vein of Christina Lauren, Emily Henry, Sally Thorne, and Jasmine Guillory ... I love and prefer romantic subplots! I’m also open to commercial women’s fiction.”

Agency, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Deal Alert

Love N. Books Press

“An imprint of Wolfpack Publishing, Love N. Books Press is a romance-focused independent publisher. We love love. More importantly, we understand and appreciate that reader passion is the heart of every author’s happily ever after. We’re fiercely committed to publishing the romantic stories that blaze (or simmer) forth from an author’s imagination.”

What type of romance are you accepting?

“At Love N. Books Press, we believe in delivering stories that are bold, explicit, and leave nothing to the imagination. Our focus is on providing readers with intense, passionate experiences that go beyond the fade-to-black moments. From tender whispers to steamy encounters in any setting, our novels ensure that every scene is filled with heat and excitement. We’re all about adding spice at every level.”

Agency and Twitter.

Patrice Caldwell | New Leaf Literary

‘‘Romance

I read romance all the time. Send me your romance novels!!

I am a massive contemporary romcom reader. Some recent favorites include DELILAH GREEN DOESN’T CARE and THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS. All time favs include BEACH READ, THE PROPOSAL, THE WEDDING PARTY, THE KISS QUOTIENT, HOW TO FAIL AT FLIRTING, TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN, and THIS ONE SUMMER (& yes, these are auto buy authors for me). I represent Meryl Wilsner and Natalie Caña (her debut is out this May!), so if you have anything like their works, please send it my way.

I adore historical romance just as much as contemporary romance. Favorites include THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME, THE DUCHESS DEAL, WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT, THE DEVIL OF DOWNTOWN, MAGNATE, NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE, A SCOT IN THE DARK, and BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE. If you have anything like this, please send it my way. I’d especially love to see more historical romance by marginalized authors.

I also love all things paranormal romance. So whether it’s on the lighter side, like PAYBACK’S A WITCH by Lana Harper or like Ilona Andrew’s Hidden Legacy series, I’d love to see it.”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter and MSWL.

Tia Ikemoto | CAA

“Fiction: Upmarket & book club fiction, psychological and literary thrillers, women’s fiction, updated rom coms, blockbuster or high concept commercial fiction, and historical fiction that takes us somewhere else or teaches us something new. I’m a huge fan of Reese Witherspoon’s book club picks, and I would love to find stories set outside of NYC that bring to life less published settings, especially California.”

Agency and MSWL.

City Owl Press

“What will attract us to a story: well-written and strong but flawed protagonists, deep character development, and exceptional world-building. We are always looking for original ideas and unique voices.”

“What we are looking for:

Adult or New Adult in Romance and Speculative Fiction in the following sub-genres: ...

• Contemporary Romance

• Historical Romance

• Paranormal Romance

• Sci Fi Romance

• Romantic Suspense

• Time Travel Romance.”

Agency and Twitter.

Jill Marsal | Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

“On the fiction front, Jill looks for all types of commercial fiction, women’s fiction, stories of family, interesting relationships, Southern fiction, or multi-generations, and romance … She welcomes a dramatic storyline and compelling characters in interesting situations or relationships. If you have a novel that has a highly original concept or voice, Jill would love to see it.”

“Jill enjoys working with both new and experienced writers.”

‘‘Recent titles:

• Long Past Summer by Noue Kirwan

• The Beach Escape by Rachel Magee

• Cowboy Proud by Stacy Finz.’’

Agency, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Peter Knapp | Park & Fine

“I am eager to find and develop more new voices as part of my growing list. I look for clients whose books have a strong perspective on their subject - whether it be a romantic comedy with a queer point-of-view or a sweeping fantasy that examines socioeconomic disparities.”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Sam Farkas | Jill Grinberg Literary Management

“In Adult Fiction, Sam is looking for upmarket fiction of all stripes, but especially historical; fast-paced, high-concept speculative thrillers that make her heart race; lyrical and immersive fantasy with book club appeal; and romance that simmers.”

“I am especially interested in:

• ...high-concept contemporary romance

• “romantasy” that’s truly swoony, with crisp, accessible writing and tight pacing...”

Agency, Twitter and MSWL.

Allison Hunter | Trellis Literary Management

‘‘Allison is actively acquiring literary and commercial adult fiction, especially focusing on upmarket book club and women’s fiction, rom coms, thrillers and domestic suspense. She loves great storytelling and unforgettable characters, and is always looking for female friendship stories, campus novels, great love stories, family epics, and books about class and cultural identity. She would especially love to find a smart beach read by an author underrepresented in that category.’’

“Recent titles:

• Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura

• Take Me Home by Melanie Sweeney

• One on One by Jamie Harrow.’’

Agency and Twitter.

Dani Segelbaum | Arc Literary Management

“Dani represents both fiction and non-fiction and hopes to work with authors from diverse backgrounds to tell stories that are important to them.

In fiction, Dani is looking for contemporary and upmarket adult fiction including debut, historical, rom-coms, and women’s fiction. She loves compelling narrators and is drawn to writing that is voice-driven, highly transporting, and features unique perspectives and marginalized voices.”

Agency, Twitter and MSWL.

Taylor Haggerty | Root Literary

“I represent commercial fiction for teens and adults - particularly in the romance and book club spaces.

My client list is the best indicator of my taste, but I gravitate toward smart, funny, voice-driven projects and welcome all the longing, pining, heart-breaking and heart-mending emotional rollercoasters you want to send my way.

I have a tendency to fall for books that blur the lines between genres and am a big novelty seeker as a reader, so always love to be surprised by the fresh and unexpected!”

“Recent titles:

• Book Lovers by Emily Henry

• To Marry and to Meddle by Martha Waters

• The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle.”

Agency, Twitter and Publisher’s Marketplace.

Kendall Berdinsky | Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

“Kendall is interested in seeing upmarket romance, book club fiction, cozy mysteries and psychological thrillers, and narrative nonfiction. Overall, she is looking for work from underrepresented communities with new stories to tell.”

“In romance, I’m primarily looking for contemporary rom-coms with a new take on a classic trope. Enemies to lovers and fake dating are two of my favorites. I love anything with the style of Nora Ephron movies (especially if it’s set in NYC) and would love to see a “Love Island” inspired romance in my inbox. And of course, I’m game for any amount of steam (from a book you can give to your grandmother to one you wouldn’t dare read in public).”

Agency, Twitter and MSWL.

Bethany Weaver | Weaver Literary Agency

‘‘WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Adult Fiction

Romance - Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, Paranormal, Gothic, Dark; B-Rated Horror/slashers (in vain of: The Final Girls; I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream; Fear Street); Light Hearted Mysteries (in vain of CW’s Nancy Drew or Hulu’s Hardy Boys), Gothic; Magical Realism

*Note: any subgenre of romance is right for me. I’m especially interested in paranormal, fantasy, gothic, and romantic comedy. If you have anything in vain of JR WARD, JEANIENE FROST, NALINI SINGH or CHLOE NEILL [all non-client], I need it.’’

Agency, Twitter and Publisher's Marketplace.

Christina Hogrebe | Jane Rotrosen Agency

‘‘She represents authors at every stage in their careers—from debuts to bestsellers to established authors looking for a change. Driven by data and accountability, Christina is particularly adept at creating visionary strategies for taking authors’ careers to the next level … Now her focus is on commercial adult fiction, especially domestic suspense, mystery, romantic comedy, women’s fiction, historical fiction, and anything British, naturally.’’

‘‘Recent titles:

• Jackson by Emily March

• The One Who Stays by Toni Blake.’’

Agency and Twitter.

Stephen Barbara | Inkwell Management

“While selective in taking on new clients, Stephen is always drawn to compelling stories that marry high-quality prose with bold, imaginative concepts and compelling storylines, and he represents books for both adult and young readers.”

“Recent titles:

• Faking Christmas, Very Sincerely Yours and Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey.”

Agency, Twitter and Publisher's Marketplace.

Kimberly Whalen | The Whalen Agency

“Kimberly spent over 20 years representing international rights. Her experience, travel and contacts around the world make her uniquely qualified to handle careers with a global perspective. She directly oversees the careers of all of the clients at The Whalen Agency.”

“Recent titles:

• Just My Type and Lease on Love by Falon Ballard

• 365 Days and The Next 365 Days by Blanka Lipinska

• Falling for His Fake Girlfriend by Shannon Stacey.”

Agency and Twitter.

Jemiscoe Chambers-Black | Andrea Brown Literary Agency

“I am currently building a diverse list of authors and illustrators. While I represent a wide range of age groups, I am currently only open to authors writing middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction, illustrators, and author-illustrators. Across the board, and regardless of age group or genre, I am interested in writing that contains authentic emotional resonance--whether it brings on the giggles or tears or both.”

“Adult:

• Romance — contemporary, rom com, paranormal, action adventure, and fantasy.”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.