Olivia (Liv) Turner

I am only accepting agented submissions at this time.

Hello there! As an associate editor at Sourcebooks, I’m looking for a wide array of projects in both the adult fiction and nonfiction categories. I’m hungry for projects and interested in almost everything (seriously, just continue reading and you’ll see!), so I always say when in doubt, send it along!

Fiction

Overall, I’m looking for adult fiction of all genres that hit the sweet spot between an unputdownable, commercial hook and plot and upmarket writing. I love  voicey narratives that make me feel and think deeply, and I never shy away from emotional stories that make it impossible to continue on with my day. I’m always looking for stories that make me feel immersed in new worlds, characters, and ideas!

With that, I’m particularly on the hunt for book club fiction that is thought-provoking, emotionally riveting, and unputdownable, in the vein of The Correspondent, The Wedding People, Wild Dark Shore, Broken Country, and These Summer Storms. Whether heartwarming and hopeful, or dark and slightly mysterious, I love the projects that readers are just itching to discuss with their friends or next book group. In this vein, I’m also hungry for “twenty-something” upmarket fiction, some favorites being Good Material, Margo’s Got Money Trouble, The Husbands and Interesting Facts About Space. I love the exploration of the often tumultuous event of growing up, and am especially interested in stories about women, LGBTQIA+, and marginalized communities.

I’m also looking to grow my genre-fiction list! I’m on the lookout for commercial horror projects in the vein of The September House, Starling House, The Bewitching, and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Going off of that, I’m incredibly drawn to speculative stories that sprinkle a bit of magic or a fun twist on our everyday world! Some recent favorites being Weyward, Spells for Forgetting, The Amalfi Curse, and The Book of Lost Hours.

And speaking of magic and speculative – fantasy! I’m newly interested in grounded, commercial and upmarket fantasy and folklore projects in the vein of Ava Reid, V.E. Schwab’ Addie LaRue, R.F. Kuang’s Babel, and Rachel Gillig. I love to be immersed in new worlds with a diverse cast of characters I can’t stop rooting for. That being said, epic fantasy and series-oriented projects are not for me. I’m more interested in standalone works that have potential to grab both the fantasy and general fiction reader.

Of course, I’m always keeping an eye out for thrillers, mystery, and suspense projects – and the twistier and darker the better! I love thrillers that pair deep character exploration with a plot that keeps you on your toes, in the vein of Liz Moore, Jessica Knoll, Amy Tintera, and Stacy Willingham, as well as smart, intricate, multicast mysteries in the Benjamin Stevenson space!

Nonfiction

I’m looking for select commercial narrative nonfiction that teaches me about new and exciting things. In general, I’m also interested in investigative, impactful narratives that tackle big ideas and topics in social sciences, history, and science. I’m fascinated by pop-science, especially when exploring our climate, nature, gardening, etc. Like fiction, I’m drawn to stories that explore and highlight our unique relationships to the planet, some favorites including Braiding Sweetgrass, Fuzz, I Contain Multitudes, Fire Weather, and Entangled Life. I also can’t resist a good adventure story – I love when people do exciting things outdoors!

I’m also looking for cultural criticism that’s accessible to mass audiences, such as works like Trick Mirror, Cultish, and How to Do Nothing. Brownie points if it’s about literature and books in any way!

Some specific wish list items:

• An Appalachian setting. Please.
• Mountains, mountains, more mountains. I’d love a bad ass female lead doing some wild things outdoors.
• A “it’s 3 am and I can’t stop turning the page” kind of suspense novel. I’m good at guessing plot twists, so looking to be shocked!
• Romantic B-plot: I’m a sucker for romance, what can I say. I’m not currently looking for traditional romances, but I can’t deny I want all the swoon-worthy romantic side-plots.
• Mental health themes (neurodivergence, anxiety, etc.)
• Pirates… the ocean… I dream of being Elizabeth Swann, alright?

Submissions should be emailed to olivia.turner@sourcebooks.com