Amy Nielsen

Hi! Thank you for your interest in my manuscript wish list. It is an honor to be a part of the publishing industry. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Across all age ranges, I’m looking for pacey, plot-driven, and succinct stories that take place in immersive settings. My favorite genres are:

• Contemporary
• Dystopian
• Horror
• Issue-driven
• Paranormal
• Political
• Romance
• Speculative
• Suspense
• Thriller

2024 Update: I’m leaving my list here, but I am not actively pursuing any more picture book authors. I LOVE you all, but my client list is very full at the moment. If something comes across my desk through a pitch event or referral that fits something I don’t already have, I would consider it. Best of luck to all picture book authors! Keep writing!

• Hyperbolic, zany storylines that teach a life lesson—even subtle
• Laugh-out-loud stories to simply entertain
• Comps to Robert Munsch and Michael Marchenko
• Supplementary educational materials

Middle Grade will make up about 15% of my client list. I’m looking for:

• Characters who think, act, and talk like real middle graders
• MG main characters who have unique hobbies or whose parents have unique careers

Young Adult will make up about 35% of my client list. I’m looking for:

• Contemporary issue-driven plots where teens find themselves in situations they aren’t equipped to handle, but eventually figure it out.
• YA main characters who have unique hobbies or whose parents have unique careers

Adult Fiction will make up about 35% of my client list. I’m looking for:

• Contemporary women’s fiction where main characters are shattering glass ceilings despite obstacles and defying stereotypes
• Male leads who also defy stereotypes.

I wouldn’t be the best fit for:

• Epic fantasy (if your story features a dragon or fae—probably not for me)
• High-concept sci-fi (if most of your story doesn’t take place on Earth—probably not for me)
• Historical fiction (unless it’s the 80s or 90s then bring it on) I’m fine with dual timelines if the majority of the plot is in a contemporary setting.
• I’m fine with some on-page-steam, but not if the plot centers around it.
• Literary (If your story isn’t plot-driven—probably not for me.)
• Nonfiction (I will take the odd NF especially if it’s about social injustice, parenting, and neurodivergency.)

For all queries, I recommend checking out these resources I created so you know what I’m looking for craft-wise.

Ten Steps Authors Should Consider Before Querying

My Top Ten Self-Editing Tips

Polishing Your Submission Packet Before Querying

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to https://querymanager.com/query/AmyNielsen

At this time, I am closed to queries. Thank you so much to everyone who has thus far queried me. It’s an honor to read your work! I will be participating in several pitch events this year so follow me on Twitter to find out when and where. They are also posted on my website www.amynielsenauthor.com and click on the EVENTS tab at the top.