If you are a writer seeking representation – welcome!
Here is what you need to know before you query:
Jess is closed to unsolicited submissions.
Claire is open to queries!
Claire is actively acquiring both fiction and non-fiction for adults, especially projects that shine a spotlight on people, places, and events that are often overlooked or not given the attention they deserve. In fiction, she's looking for horror, standalone psychological thrillers, mysteries, and romcoms. She's seeking diverse characters and authors, stories that twist and subvert classic tropes, and strong female leads. She especially likes friendship stories, revenge stories, and sharp voices across all genres, and has a soft spot for stories with a tie to the Midwest or the South, but she's also interested in small town settings in other areas. In nonfiction, Claire is primarily looking for cultural criticism, true crime, pop culture, lifestyle guides, and illustrated gift books for adults. She loves books that present an untold perspective or bring a fresh take to a well-loved topic. She's looking for strong voices across all genres, regardless of topic and tone.
She is always looking for submissions with these elements across all genres she represents (listed below): LGBTQIA+ characters and authors, marginalized characters written by marginalized authors, diverse stories, compelling writing, dynamic characters, subverting well-known tropes, unexpected endings, books with big emotions, and settings in the Midwest and South.
To be more specific...
HORROR: new twists on classic tropes, not too heavy on the gore (no gore for gore’s sake), unnerving, unsettling, stories that stick with you after you finish reading them, stories including a cultural critique of some sort, heavy use of dread
favorite tropes: house as character, remote location (no cell service), actual hauntings vs. characters losing their minds, a skeptic who ends up believing (or dead!) by the end, found footage, any and all stories that end with a final girl
THRILLERS: standalone psychological thrillers, new twist on classic tropes, revenge stories, elements of horror, shocking endings, unreliable narrators, fictionalizations of actual crimes, fast pacing, stories set in the 90s, social commentary
favorite tropes: unstable (or unhinged) narrator, missing memories or time, seemingly decent people with dark pasts, stalking, gaslighting, revenge stories, motivated by inheritance
MYSTERIES: series or standalone, millennial and gen z characters written for millennial and gen z audiences, unique twists on classic tropes, fun settings we don’t often see, inheritance stories, revenge stories, heists, complex family dynamics
favorite tropes: fun friend groups and secondary characters, female amateur sleuths, full of twists and red herrings, locked room mysteries, complicated victim (with many potential killers), femme fatale
ROMANCE: tender and loving relationships, authentic characters with authentic struggles, genuine connections, emotion vulnerability, any level of steaminess and spice, any level of humor, especially love millennial characters for millennial audiences
favorite tropes: friends/enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity, found family, second chance romance
TRUE CRIME, CULTURAL CRITICISM, NARRATIVE NONFICTION: examining society through a unique lens, untold stories and perspectives, shining a light on people / places / events that are being (or historically have been) ignored, journalistic look at crimes of all kind (not exclusively murder cases), author as part of the narrative, a fresh approach to a well-loved topic, social commentary on women’s issues, crimes that have been swept under the rug or haven’t received the media attention they deserve
LIFESTYLE GUIDES + GIFT BOOKS: voicy, fun writing, humor, author/illustrators, helpful tips in an approachable and digestible format, soft hobbies
areas of interest: happiness, quaint living, crafting, party planning, hosting, witches, regional topics, single life, friendship, third places, nature
She is not currently accepting submissions in these areas:
young adult, middle grade, children’s, sci-fi, fantasy, legal thrillers, military thrillers, political thrillers, medical thrillers, memoir, parenting books, fertility stories, self-help centering on grief or overcoming trauma.
If you think your project is a good fit for Claire's list, please send your query and first ten pages in the body of the email to helmsubmissions@gmail.com.