Meg Gaertner

I am the Managing Editor of Fiction at North Star Editions, and I acquire for both its Flux (YA) and Jolly Fish Press (middle grade) imprints. I’m looking for well-crafted fiction with strong, engaging plots and one-of-a-kind characters. I prefer unique, “out-of-the-box” stories that combine social commentary with a fresh premise and a killer voice that unsettles, surprises, informs, or ignites.

YOUNG ADULT WISH LIST

Across all genres, I’m seeking:

• Voice-y narrators who have very specific worldviews, opinions, and tones/slants (could be humorous, snarky, poetic, etc.)
  • I want to feel connected to the narrator, so I tend to prefer first-person POV, but very close third-person can work as well.
• Strong character arcs, where flawed characters make mistakes, grow, and earn their transformations
• Stories that increase the diversity of experiences reflected in YA literature, and thus increase the number of young people able to see themselves in YA literature
• HEA or open-ended stories, where the plot is not wrapped up in a neat bow–I’m happy to be left unsettled!
• “Weird” stories that mash together disparate genres or comp titles in fresh ways and that are essentially hard to define
• Racial and/or cultural diversity
• LGBTQIA+ (especially trans, bisexual, asexual youth) representation
• Neurodiversity
• Representation of physical disabilities, chronic illness, or mental health issues
• Immigrant or first-generation main character(s)
• Strong female leads, male leads who subvert toxic masculinity, or trans leads
• Found families and strong friendships / platonic love stories
• Romance as a subplot OR romance not included at all
• Atmospheric settings, especially those that verge on the uncanny and unsettling, or settings that function as their own characters
• Standalone titles, rather than duologies or series

Genres (in order of preference/interest):

• Contemporary
  • Especially with relevant/timely social themes
• Thrillers/Suspense
  • Psychological thrillers that verge (or seem to verge) on horror or speculative suspense, where I’m questioning what’s going on, whether something speculative is happening, and whether the narrator is reliable
• Science Fiction
  • High-stakes plot with strong themes and character development
• Horror
  • Especially the uncanny, unsettling kind
  • Stories like The Haunting of Hill House (the TV show), in which the ghosts/horror are a stand-in for trauma
• Historical Fiction that highlights underrepresented or excluded experiences
• Contemporary Fantasy

Specific Interests:

• Anything that can comp Mad Max: Fury Road, Gideon the Ninth, The Ninth House, Iron Widow, or Severance
• Protagonists as changemakers and activists

I am NOT a good fit for:

• Instalove, instalust
• Romance as the main plot
• Christian fiction
• Elves, dragons, etc.

MIDDLE GRADE WISH LIST

Across all genres, I’m seeking:

• Stories that address difficult and/or weighty topics in age-appropriate, compassionate, and thoughtful ways, and that are ultimately hopeful. These topics could include (this list is not exhaustive!):
  • Mental health challenges (the protagonist’s own or a family member’s)
  • Drug addiction in the family
  • War and/or the refugee experience
  • Immigrant experiences
  • Generational trauma
• Stories that increase the diversity of experiences reflected in MG literature, and thus increase the number of young people able to see themselves in MG literature
• Racial and/or cultural diversity
  • Especially stories of characters learning about their histories/culture from relatives/members of their communities
• LGBTQIA+ (especially trans, bisexual, asexual youth) representation
  • Whole-hearted support from their people (family, friends), even if they face adversity elsewhere
• Neurodiversity
• Representation of physical disabilities, chronic illness, or mental health issues
• Feminism and the clear subversions of “boys will be boys” culture
• Stories that bridge the gap between middle grade and YA, geared toward readers aged 13–15
• Standalone titles, rather than duologies or series

Genres (in order of preference/interest):

• Contemporary
  • Especially with relevant/timely social themes
  • Family stories, especially with strong sibling relationships and/or grandparent/grandchild relationships
  • Friendship stories, including where characters outgrow/grow apart from friends
• Horror
  • Especially when the horror element is a stand-in for something more internal to the protagonist (think A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness)
  • The ending must be hopeful!
• Historical Fiction
  • Highlighting underrepresented or excluded experiences
• Fantasy
  • Whimsical fantasy à la Hayao Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli, the kind that inspires wonder and curiosity

I am NOT a good fit for:

• Christian fiction
• Elves, dragons, etc.
• Protagonists that are animals/creatures

Submission Guidelines

Flux empowers young adults through imaginative, insightful, and inspiring fiction. Consistently provocative and independently alternative, Flux publishes unique narratives that expand perspectives, provide fresh takes, and increase representation. We welcome all voices and all genres of novel-length YA fiction. Learn more here: https://shop.northstareditions.com/flux/

Flux is CLOSED to submissions. We will reopen on June 1, 2024. Submission guidelines here: https://shop.northstareditions.com/flux-submission-guidelines/

Jolly Fish Press publishes children’s fiction from picture books to middle grade. JFP books range from light, humorous stories that broaden imaginations, to heartfelt narratives that address difficult topics with nuance and care. Above all, JFP books increase representation, position children as changemakers, and celebrate a diversity of experiences. Learn more here: https://shop.northstareditions.com/jolly-fish-press/

Jolly Fish Press is CLOSED to submissions. We will reopen on June 1, 2024. Submission guidelines here: https://shop.northstareditions.com/jolly-fish-press-submission-guidelines/