Understanding what agents are looking for can significantly enhance your chances of finding the perfect match for your manuscript. In this blog, we'll explore the genres and themes that are currently topping agents' wishlists, providing valuable insights to help you tailor your submissions and capture the attention of potential literary agents.
1. Diverse Voices and Underrepresented Perspectives
Agents are actively seeking manuscripts that reflect diverse voices and underrepresented perspectives. There is a growing demand for stories that celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and representation across all genres and categories. Whether it's LGBTQ+ stories, BIPOC protagonists, or narratives that explore disability, mental health, or socioeconomic diversity, agents are eager to champion authors who bring fresh and authentic perspectives to the literary landscape.
2. Own Voices Narratives
Own voices narratives, where the author shares a marginalized identity or lived experience with the protagonist or subject matter of the story, are highly sought after by agents. These stories offer an authentic and nuanced portrayal of underrepresented communities, providing readers with a window into diverse lived experiences and cultural perspectives. Agents are keen to represent authors who can lend authenticity and authority to their storytelling through their own lived experiences.
3. Upmarket and Book Club Fiction
Upmarket and book club fiction continue to be popular genres among agents and readers alike. Agents are on the lookout for compelling, character-driven stories with rich emotional depth, universal themes, and strong commercial appeal. These are the kinds of stories that spark meaningful conversations, resonate with readers on a personal level, and have the potential to become breakout hits in the literary marketplace.
4. Genre-Blending and Mash-Ups
Agents are drawn to manuscripts that push the boundaries of traditional genre conventions and offer fresh, innovative takes on familiar tropes. Genre-blending and mash-up novels that combine elements of multiple genres (e.g., historical fantasy, romantic suspense, speculative thriller) are particularly appealing to agents seeking unique and original storytelling voices. These manuscripts offer readers a unique and immersive reading experience that defies easy categorization.
5. Environmental and Climate Fiction
With growing awareness of environmental issues and climate change, agents are increasingly interested in manuscripts that explore these timely and urgent themes. Environmental and climate fiction (cli-fi) novels that tackle topics such as sustainability, conservation, ecological activism, and the impact of climate change on society are in high demand. Agents are eager to represent authors who can weave these pressing issues into compelling and thought-provoking narratives.
6. Romantasy (Romantic Fantasy)
Romantasy, a subgenre that blends elements of romance and fantasy, has been gaining popularity among readers in recent years. Agents are on the lookout for manuscripts that offer a perfect balance of romance and fantastical elements, such as magical worlds, mythical creatures, and epic quests. Romantasy novels transport readers to enchanting realms where love and magic intertwine, offering an irresistible combination of swoon-worthy romance and thrilling adventure. Authors who can weave together compelling love stories with imaginative world-building and fantastical elements are in high demand among agents seeking to represent romantasy novels.
7. Genre-Specific Wishlists
In addition to broader themes and genres, many agents also have specific wishlists tailored to their individual interests and preferences. Some agents may specialize in specific genres such as cozy mysteries, historical romance, speculative fiction, or young adult fantasy. Researching agents' wishlists and submission guidelines can help you target your submissions to agents who are actively seeking manuscripts in your genre or category. (FYI--Romance and Mystery continue to be the top two selling genres in the world.)
Understanding what agents are looking for can significantly increase your chances of finding the perfect match for your manuscript. By tailoring your submissions to agents' wishlists, you can capture their attention and demonstrate that your work aligns with their interests and expertise. Whether you're writing diverse voices narratives, upmarket fiction, genre-blending novels, or environmental fiction, there's an agent out there who is eagerly awaiting your submission. So, do your research, polish your manuscript, and embark on the journey to finding your literary match.
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