Ashlee MacCallum

Ashlee MacCallum joined Howland Literary after interning at Triada US. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, Ashlee is passionate about championing marginalized creators and uplifting historically underrepresented voices. She gravitates toward high-concept, commercial fiction with bold storytelling, standout pacing, and a distinct voice that grabs you from the first page. Ashlee has a soft spot for speculative stories, mysteries, and anything delightfully weird.

PICTURE BOOKS
Picture books with multiple, distinct hooks, clear/concise writing, and original concepts. I am open to working with both authors and author-illustrators in this space.
• Heart-warming picture books that celebrate community and resilience
• Whimsical stories that honor individuality and what makes us unique
• Stories that highlight culture, traditions, and belonging
• Silly, quirky stories with few words and unique storytelling
• Inventive and clever nonfiction, particularly STEAM themes and lyrical, narrative nonfiction that sings
• Gentle storytelling that tackles tough topics like grief, racism, chronic illness, divorce, or anxiety
• Humorous stories that stretch the imagination—puns are a plus!
• Holiday books with a fresh take or a unique twist
• Retellings of lesser-known fairy tales or legends
• Horror! Creepy picture books that allow young readers to explore fear, tension, and the unknown in a safe and fun way
Think: I Just Ate My Friend, The Book of Rules, A Hat for House, Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden, Tricky Chopsticks, Everyone Loves Lunchtime but Zia, Great Carrier Reef, Pando, A Place for Pluto, Love Grows Here, Missing Violet, Grumpy Monkey, Vampire Vacation, Stumpkin, Bone Soup

CHAPTER BOOKS
Character-driven stories with a strong, commercial hook and series potential.
• Magical realism, or fantasy grounded in the real world
• Mystery series in vain of Nancy Drew or Scooby Doo with series potential (BIPOC MC!)
• Adventure stories with awkward characters and a rag-tag group of friends
• Contemporary stories about sports, school, identity, and friendship that are relatable. Humor is a plus.
• Spooky ghost stories and anything paranormal.
• Illustrated chapter books
Think: The Misfits, Magic Treehouse, The Boxcar Children, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Goosebumps, Bad Kitty

MIDDLE GRADE
Voice-driven middle grade with a captivating setting and quirky, lovable characters.
• Horror that is not too scary, but creepy and atmospheric
• Fantasy with relatable characters and a unique premise
• Magical realism, or fantasy grounded in the real world
• Mystery novels with series potential that keep you guessing ‘til the end
• Adventure stories with a diverse cast of characters
• Spooky ghost stories and anything haunted/paranormal
• Nonfiction that sparks delight and intrigue
Think: It Found Us, The Curse of Eelgrass Bog, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, The House at the Edge of Magic, Winterhouse, Midnight at the Barclay Hotel, The Greystone Secrets, Holes, A Wrinkle in Time, The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane, Kid-Ventors, City of Ghosts

YOUNG ADULT
Vibrant and bold young adult novels with exceptional pacing and a distinct voice.
• Horror with a strong atmosphere and tone—bonus points if rooted in folk lore
• Fantasy with detailed and unique magic systems, and possibly a romantic subplot
• Mystery/Thriller with layers, plot twists, and characters you can root for
• Paranormal stories with a fresh take
• Contemporary coming-of-age stories that feature characters from low-income families (would love a novel in verse here)
• Historical Fiction, especially stories featuring BIPOC or historically underrepresented identities
Think: Six of Crows, Divine Rivals, Truly Devious, One of Us is Lying, The Inheritance Games, a Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, This Ravenous Fate, Looking for Smoke, A Study in Charlotte, Long Way Down, Death at Morning House, The Cruel Prince, Patron Saints of Nothing, Assistant to the Villain, Five Survive

SPECIFIC REQUESTS
• The vibes and layered storyline of The Haunting of Hill House but reimagined for the YA market
• Edgar Allen Poe retellings featuring stories like The Fall of the House of Usher and The Raven
• A MG or YA novel about gang life (must be own voice)
• A historical fiction novel about the Civil Rights Era, perhaps with a dual timeline
• A speculative race-against-the-clock heist with a diverse cast of characters
• A story set in Glasgow, Scotland
• An edgy manuscript rooted in the concept of mass hysteria
• A twisty and heart-wrenching villain origin story
• Dystopian YA like The Hunger Games
• All things weird/paranormal: witches, ghosts, haunted houses!

ANTI-WISHLIST
• Rhyming picture books
• Didactic picture books with a forced message
• Religious themes
• Memoirs
• Pandemic stories
• Animal stories (unless PB)
• Previously self-published work
• If you have written a book from an identity that is not your own, we will not be a good fit.

Submission Guidelines

CLOSED TO QUERIES

Ashlee is currently assisting Agent Rebecca Angus with her list, but when she opens to queries in the future, she’ll be looking for unforgettable picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult fiction.

Query Link: https://QueryTracker.net/query/3876

Guidelines & Details