Adult Fiction
I am very interested in accessible literary fiction and quality upscale commercial fiction as well as unique science fiction and fantasy. I love things offbeat and unusual, but not gratuitously weird. When I read a manuscript I want to be so immersed in its world that I can’t put it down. A distinctive voice is imperative. I’m looking for character driven stories with a well-polished story arc (i.e. don’t skimp on the plot!). I’m usually the wrong person for romance, horror, thrillers and mysteries, and I won’t read anything with dead, maimed, or kidnapped children.
Children’s Fiction
I love both middle-grade and YA fiction. I’m not currently looking for picture books. I appreciate the same things in books for kids as I do for adult fiction. For middle-grade, it should be particularly character driven and quirky, with excellent pacing and rhythm. For YA the same, plus stories that touch upon questions of identity and social issues.
Non-fiction
I do very select non-fiction and memoir. All non-fiction authors should have a rock-solid platform already in place before querying.
I am particularly committed to representing books that include, are about, or are geared toward people in the LGBTQ community, for both adult and children’s literature.
To Submit
Please email a query to linda.p.epstein@gmail.com and put “Query” in the subject line of your email, followed by the title of your manuscript.
For children’s and adult fiction, please send the first twenty pages in the body of your email, along with a query letter that includes a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis. I will not open up attachments.
For non-fiction you may attach the entire proposal as a Word document (the proposal should include one sample chapter), along with a query letter that includes a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis of your project in the body of your email.
I do answer all queries, so check the Query Status tab on this blog to see what I’m up to.
