Jen Bouvier

Previously I was a Senior Editor at Entangled Publishing in the US, but find myself continously referencing this site.

Now, I am an Editorial Director for YA/NA at Magellan Verlag in Germany, acquiring German-language manuscripts and manuscripts for German translation.

Currently, I am primarly seeking YA crossover, with at least a romantic sub plot.

[You’re reading the June 2025 version]

I’m passionate about nurturing author careers and helping to bring meaningful stories to life. Editing is my labor of love, and I thrive on collaborating with authors who share my dedication to storytelling! I want to work with authors who are committed to making their books the best they can be. I can’t stress enough that even if your exact premise is not listed here and you believe I may enjoy your manuscript, I would still like to see it.

For everything I acquire, a commercial high-concept approach, tight plotting, high narrative tension, and a very strong voice are essential.

Note: I’m generally not the best fit for epic/hard fantasy, superheroes, performing arts themes, pregnancy themes, tournament books, books centered on bigotry, any slavery elements, reality TV themes, mixed media, road trip books, holiday books, dream-centric stories, memory loss-based premises (outside of nuanced disability representation), cis character disguised as another gender stories, sports romance, novels-in-verse, 4+ POVs, or anything heavily focused on political intrigue.

Currently Seeking:

Young Adult (YA) Crossover (protagonist age 16/17/18)

Seeking big, high-concept premises in the commercial realm. (Not looking for Historical/Historical Fantasy/Sci-Fi at this time.)

Generally:

• Sapphic Romance: with high tension and chemistry.
• Morally Grey Characters: Antiheroines or villain romances with complex, layered narratives.
• High-Drama Love Stories: Lyrical, quotable prose that evokes deep responses! I love romance and find it a welcome addition to most stories!
• Dark Academia & Gothic Vibes: I’m not a huge fan of college/high school settings otherwise, but I love stories that blend the moody, atmospheric elements of dark academia with gothic undertones. Think A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee or The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl—elite institutions, hidden secrets, and a sense of foreboding. I’m particularly interested in explorations of the darker aspects of ambition, obsession, and forbidden knowledge, all wrapped in an immersive setting! I prefer lots of romance in these types of stories.
• Dark Naturalism: Stories that explore the raw, often harsh realities of nature and human existence, where the environment itself becomes a character,  all with a big dose of fantasy. Can be any sub genre. A great example is Evergreen by Devin Greenlee. Send me your singing trees and flying mushrooms; the more out there, the better. I want to see creative worlds that depict the beauty and danger of nature in equal measure, with an emphasis on atmospheric settings.
• Mythology: Authenticity is crucial—particularly interested in German, Korean, Turkish, and East African mythologies. Especially eager for a Greek mythology retelling by a Greek author!

In High Fantasy

(No pirate or seafarer settings, please)

Stand-out premises are essential for me, particularly in High Fantasy. I’m not looking for something that echoes popular trends—I’m seeking truly original concepts that push the boundaries of the genre. I’m looking for manuscripts that are truly works of art—stories offering fresh perspectives, challenge conventional norms, and that are full of heart. I want to be captivated by creativity and innovation, the kind of story that makes me think, “If I don’t acquire this, I’ll never encounter anything like it again.”

High Fantasy holds a special place in my heart, but given how much of it I take on, I need to be quite selective with what I add.

• Game-Inspired Narratives: Anything inspired by Bioware or Bethesda games, with a focus on intricate world-building and compelling character arcs. I also love Baldur’s Gate/DnD!
• Intricate High Fantasy Worlds: Expansive worlds with creative magic systems, capable of spanning multiple books.
• Horror Crossover: Stories that blend horror with high fantasy, embracing either darker, chilling tones or a delightfully campy approach. Think eerie, otherworldly settings with a touch of the macabre or fantastical elements. I don’t always just want dark though, a special wish is something campy and funny with a Princess Bride vibe.
• Romantasy: I get so few submissions like this, I cannot state enough that I love it, especially here.

In Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

(Note: I’m personally a tough sell for zombies or ghosts)

• Innovative takes on paranormal beings—craving a resurgence of 2010s-style PNR romance!!
• Museum Mysteries with Monsters: I’ve been very eager to find something with a Night at the Museum type twist, but scarier, where ancient artifacts, sculptures, or exhibits come to life—predictably I would love a dark, gothic edge.
• Frankenstein! This has been one of my dream projects for a while, but since there are quite a few Frankenstein retellings out there, it would have to be really fresh. I’d like to see themes of creation, autonomy, and power reimagined through a modern lens, exploring the ethical dilemmas of science and ambition and diving deep into questions of control, identity, and what it means to create life. I’m looking for narratives that challenge the original tale’s themes while adding a smart, contemporary edge.

In Horror

(Not the best fit for very classic haunted house/ghost stories without a twist)

• Psychological Horror: I’m looking for YA horror exploring themes of paranoia, anxiety, and the fear of the unknown. Stories that play with perception and create an unsettling, eerie atmosphere. Note: With themes of mental illness, respectful representation is key. I’m personally not into magical cures, e.g. their mental illness was actually a ghost, etc.
• Gothic Horror: I’m looking for Gothic vibes mostly. Crumbling mansions, family secrets, and a sense of doom. (no full-on historical fantasy for me unless it’s alternative reality high fantasy with Gothic vibes. Then 100% yes!)

In Thrillers

I’m looking for extremely tight plotting and a high-concept story. Strong voice too, so pretty much everything that I want to see in other genres, but I’m extra selective here.

I want to read two sentences of your pitch and GASP. I want extremely fresh premises I have never seen like this before.

No sexual assault or bigotry-based premises, as well as anything related to political intrigue, please.

In YA Contemporary 

Contemporary is perhaps the genre that’s hardest to hook me on, so a high-concept premise and an unforgettable voice are essential. It needs to be a standout project.

I’m primarily looking for fresh RomComs with unique twists and broad, international appeal. Note that I’m generally not drawn to stories set primarily within a school environment, including study abroad-type stories.

• I’d love to see more YA Contemporary featuring Muslim main characters, regardless of how prominently their faith/culture is woven into the story.
• Creative, Niche Talents: Characters with unusual talents or interests, like glassblowing, traditional calligraphy, or urban foraging. Their journey of finding community or achieving a dream through these quirky interests would feel fun and original!
• Epic Rivalries with Heart: Contemporary stories driven by rivalries—think two teens from competing families, rival small businesses. Ideally, this would combine high stakes with complex, emotional dynamics.
• Social Media with Substance: High-stakes stories set in the digital world with characters navigating fame, identity, and authenticity. Ideally, this would be something fresh that doesn’t rely on tropes like “influencer gone bad,” but instead offers a nuanced take on the real-life effects of online fame. I guess this could also fall under Thriller!

Submission Guidelines

For previously published English-language manuscripts that you’d like considered for German translation, please send your agent. Also happy to consider manuscripts published in other languages.

Für deutschsprachige Einsendungen:

Guidelines & Details