Christine Kelly Reads and Writes

If you haven’t seen on Threads or Twitter (X), I have re-opened queries to BIPOC authors. Here is the link to the tweet. While I will remain open to BIPOC, through pitch events there are still opportunities for me to see your work. Stay tuned to my X profile so you can see if I’m participating and how to submit.

In regards to what I’m looking for now that I’m open for BIPOC authors, I’m really trying to keep it vague. Print Run Podcast had a great tid bit about super specific MSWLs may turn authors away from an agent, so I want to keep it light. I’m happy to provide ideas of what I like so you can gauge what type of reader/editing agent I am, but I’m keeping myself open to see whatever you may have to offer.

First thing first, a few housekeeping items. Since first starting agenting I’ve honed in how I need to operate and how best I can figure out what story is for me. This hopefully will reduce the time spent on queries and with fulls. This is what I will be doing moving forward:

1. The submission package will now include first three chapters instead of first 10 pages.
2. I will now be requesting partials.
3. My response time will likely be slower because I have more material up front, but to counter that I will be requesting less fulls at one time.

Now for my overall MSWL ( not necessarily a list, but more so a what I’m looking for in a general sense):

1. I’m opening up to most genres in Adult and YA. While I’m not totally a expert in horror or thriller (need to be honest here), I’ve been surprised how I’ve gravitated to stories with suspenseful elements. But what I really hope for in these genres are a TWIST that I can’t see coming and makes me literally gasp.
2. I’m not the agent for your story if there is on page description of a child death. It can be a part of the story but describing a child drowning, dying in a car crash etc- not for me.
3. STAKES. I am a high stakes girlie. Like, the things that could happen if your character doesn’t achieve what they want need to be bigggggg.
4. I always love good dialogue, but what I’ve realized with my authors is that I also need to viscerally know how one feels. I want to feel it with the character.
5. Line level writing that makes me set down my reading device (usually my phone TBH) and just sit with a line. If you know what that means, reference CeCe Lyra’s Writing on a Line Level course or read VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE and then you’ll know.
6. Lastly, it doesn’t need to be the main plot. It doesn’t need to be plot B. It just needs to be in the story somehow- gimme all the love. Heart eyes. Angst. LOVE!
7. I would love, love, love, to see Graphic Novels by author/illustrators or photo story telling.

Niche MSWL (here is where I’ll get specific but if you don’t have this, fear not! Still query me if you think we’ll be a good fit because these are just things that I’d like to see, but are not by any means mandatory):

• I would love to have a historical romance with bullfighting.
• Community: LGTBQ+ Abed and Troy
• If you comp Crazy Stupid Love or Hitch
• Elemental X OG Westside Story Romantasy
• LGBTQ Friday Night Lights (bonus if enemies to lovers)
• Prohibition Historical Romance surrounding smuggling booze.
• Second Chance in a marriage or friends to lovers tropes always make my giggle and kick my heels with joy.

Recent favorite reads that I’d love to see comp’d:

• Say You’ll Be Mine, Naina Kumar.
• Wish You Weren’t Here, Erin Baldwin
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Sangu Mandanna
• What The River Knows, Isabel Ibañez

Can’t wait to see your stories in my QM! You can query me here.