Alyssa Jennette

Stonesong

My Manuscript Wish List®

I joined Stonesong in May 2015 after interning at the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. I have a background in art and trained as an illustrator before I joined publishing, and therefore have unique insight and expertise when it comes to design-heavy or illustrated works. I’m a very editorial agent, and I find a lot of joy in shaping stories alongside the author.

If what you’re writing isn’t explicitly listed below, that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in it. If you think you’ve written something I’ll love, pitch it to me!

I recently enjoyed: PIRANESI by Susanna Clarke; INTO ENGLISH edited by Collins and Prufer; FREE LUNCH by Rex Ogle; THE POWER by Naomi Alderman; MELMOTH by Sarah Perry; THE STARS BENEATH OUR FEET by David Barclay Moore.

I look for: Children’s and adult fiction, graphic novels, and picture books, and select humor, graphic memoir, and pop culture nonfiction. I value diversity and inclusion; in fiction I enjoy ensemble casts with distinct voices, and formats that are specific to a story and give it its own context (ex: THE SUPERNATURAL ENHANCEMENTS, JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL). I’m open to seeing illustration portfolios.

In MG/YA: stories about poor characters and communities; stories that explore living with disabilities; secret societies; unreliable narrators; a Clueless-esque “teen movie” update of a classic work.. I’d love a friendship breakup story (particularly a mixed-gender friendship) for any age group.

In adult: fiction that straddles the commercial/literary divide, wit and wordplay, a simple concept that sprawls in unexpected ways as the author investigates it.

Some other stuff I care a lot about/really enjoy: art/art history/art conservation, archaeology, mythology, codes/cryptology; language/translation, criminal justice reform; considered and thorough worldbuilding; books that teach me about some new craft or technology or course of study.

I might like: Pop culture, Pop science, Humor. (Try me!)

I’m not interested in: Romance, Erotica, or High Fantasy (swords and sorcery-style).

Fun facts about me:

I studied art and artifact restoration during my semester abroad in Florence
I have an adorable Maine Coon mix named Melpomene, Pom for short
I have a pet ambition to translate at least part of the Bible and decode the last passage of Kryptos. (…I know.)

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to submissions@stonesong.com

Send your query letter and the first ten pages pasted into the body of your email to su*********@*******ng.com; write “QUERY” and “Alyssa Jennette” in the subject line to avoid getting lost in the spam folder.

**As of May 2019 I’m closed to queries. Please watch the Stonesong site and my Twitter page for updates.**

Consultations

Vital Info

@alyssajennette

Website

Agent

Fiction:

BIPOC Literature, Caribbean Literature, Children's, Commercial, Crime, East Asian Literature, Family Saga, Fantasy, General, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Literary, Middle Grade, Mystery, New Adult, Picture Books, Psychological Thriller, South Asian Literature, South East Asian Literature, Thriller, West African Literature, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult

Non-Fiction:

Art, Bible Studies, Crafts/DIY, Cultural criticism, Fashion, Humor, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ, Pop Culture, True Crime

I’d like the next…

Piranesi
The Raven Cycle
Thursday Next
Sammy Keyes
The Secret History
Ella Enchanted

My favorites include…

Books (mostly books I grew up with that formed the foundation of my taste and interests)

Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass
Harry Potter
The Discworld Series (especially Tiffany Aching)
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Gormenghast
Stargirl
The Year of Secret Assignments
Ella Enchanted (the best literary Cinderella ever, IMO.)

Movies/TV

Succession
Andor
Gossip Girl
Veep
The Princess Bride
Boy Meets World
Secret Diary of a Call Girl (never have I sobbed harder at a series finale)