Lee Melillo

I am closed to unsolicited queries at this time. 

I represent YA and adult fiction written by, for, and about traditionally underrepresented communities, especially authors of color, disabled authors, queer authors, and neurodivergent authors. I’m always interested in receiving queries from authors who identify as Pacific Islander (Polynesian, Micronesian, Melanesian).

I’d like to acquire books with commercial hooks that can reel in a wide range of readers and subsequently deliver well-executed, literary prose. I look for a strong sense of voice, cinematic settings, and witty dialogue. I also appreciate a sharp, weird sense of humor appealing to readers raised online, and narratives centered around relationships – platonic, familial, romantic, or otherwise.

Contemporary 

I’m drawn to stories focused on issues that are simultaneously individual and systematic (Yaa Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom, R. F. Kuang’s Yellowface). I prefer protagonists who are outsiders or underdogs; anti-heroes who do bad things in the context of even worse systems; and ensemble casts, particularly of women and/or queer people, engaging in badassery and revenge (Bandit Queens). 

Specifically for YA, I enjoy stories set in elite private schools from the perspectives of scholarship students. Dark academia with eat-the-rich vibes (Ninth House) or losergirls seeking status boosts (Heathers) are always welcome. I’m actively hoping for more BIPOC rep in this niche, especially from Latine or Black authors. I’d love an HBCU setting or elite schools in the Global South.

I also have an interest in fangirls and fandom culture. Give me your Directioner geeks, K-pop idol sasaeng thrillers, 2010s YouTube inspired anything, etc. Perhaps unsurprisingly following the previous sentence – I also love anything with neurodivergent/autistic protagonists.

Historical

I love well-researched historical fiction with atmospheric prose and a hooky premise – particularly in mystery or thriller subgenres. I’m most drawn to lesser explored historical eras; I like to be immersed in a culture/time period as I read. I’m not interested in British history (especially not Regency Era), and prefer settings outside of the US and Western Europe. I love historical fiction about regular people of the time, whether high-stakes or slice-of-life – no royal protagonists, please! (Unless they’re insane riffs on major historical figures, a la The Great or My Lady Jane).

Basically, if you write anything like June Hur, please reach out. Like. Please.

Fantasy / Supernatural

No Romantasy, please! Romantic b-plots are fine, but they can’t be the heart of the story. I do best with low/medium fantasy set in our world or similar ones, preferably inspired by local folklore (A. B. Poranek’s Where the Dark Stands Still) and I adore academic fantasy like Babel or the Emily Wilde series. I also enjoy quirky, unique depictions of ghosts and the afterlife (Dead Boy Detectives or Hotel del Luna), but am not into most ‘classic’ supernatural topics.

Horror / Thrillers

Feminist, bubblegum “girlypop” thrillers (Promising Young Woman) especially with comedic aspects (Bodies Bodies Bodies) are always welcome. In horror, I prefer that the horrifying elements are metaphorical and meaningful: think I Saw the TV Glow or any Jordan Peele movie. Nothing overly gory or graphic. I prefer psychological terror to the literal. And please, nothing related to pregnancy/birth/miscarriages!

Sci-fi / Dystopia

I prefer YA dystopias that have something to say about present-day issues (classism/colonialism/reproductive rights/etc). I don’t care for “chosen one” tropes – just regular teens put into impossible situations where they try to do the right thing. And please, no military academy-esque settings.

In Sci-Fi, I’m only interested in the Afrofuturism sub-genre and underwater/deep sea aliens. I am least interested in stories about AI or robots.

Romance

I generally prefer romantic subplots, but could be open to the right rom-com or romance manuscript should it also encapsulate many of my above desires. I like strong plots, yearning, and realistic slow burns. I’m not a fan of trope-heavy romance, but ones I am most drawn to include lovers-to-enemies; rivals-to-lovers; and “I can fix him” / “I can make her worse” (think The Acolyte) dynamics. Please, please no: toxic relationships, sketchy power dynamics, huge age/life experience gaps, or miscommunication-as-conflict. AND NO STORIES WHERE THE ONLY BIPOC/QUEER/FAT REP IS A FUNNY SIDEKICK.

I’m NOT the best fit for…

Erotica; high fantasy or space operas; very literary/experimental stories; military/police/modern politics; WW1 or WW2; Greek/Roman/Norse mythology; British historicals (especially Regency Era); sports romance; stories romanticizing gang life or the mafia; explicit depictions of sexual assault, graphic self-harm/suicide attempts, or violent cruelty towards people or animals; or anything where a pet dies.

Again, I do NOT represent nonfiction/memoirs, picture books, middle grade, or graphic novels of ANY KIND!

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to query@dunhamlit.com

Please go to dunhamlit.com/how-to-submit for a detailed list of subscription guidelines.

Guidelines & Details