Ronald Gerber

I read widely in adult fiction: contemporary and historical novels, romantic comedies, upmarket romance, grounded science fiction, psychological and domestic thrillers/suspense, detective fiction, literary fiction, and horror all fit comfortably on my list.

In general, I am looking for distinct voices, sharp hooks, and relatable, likeable characters whose emotional stakes drive the plot.

I love contemporary dramas, romances, and comedies featuring misfits and socially awkward protagonists in the vein of Eleanor Oliphant and The Likely Resolutions of Oliver Clock.

In suspense, I prefer to see ordinary people thrust into unsettling situations as opposed to unreliable and/or sociopathic narrators. I enjoy locked-room mysteries. I like dystopian, near-future, and outer space-set science fiction with thematic relevance to the modern world, like The Twilight Zone or Rob Hart’s The Warehouse.

I am very open to stories that mix genres, such as horror comedies, literary thrillers, and romances with a light sci-fi element.

I am always happy to consider short story collections from established writers with a publication history in magazines and journals. I especially love transgressive, dark stories in the vein of Roald Dahl and Kristen Roupenian.

In nonfiction, I represent memoir, biography, historical, narrative, and true crime. I am always looking for stranger-than-fiction narratives and the stories of people of color, women, and LGBTQ folks who have been overlooked by the history books.

I have been fascinated by the Summer of Scam craze in longform journalism over the last couple of years (Anna Delvey, Dirty John, Elizabeth Holmes) and would love a project like that.

In memoir, I’m especially drawn to harrowing coming-of-age stories like Educated, as well as celebrity, music, and Hollywood memoirs. This interest bleeds into biography and narrative nonfiction, too—anything pop culture!

As with short stories, I am selectively open to essay collections.

On the children’s side, I am currently building my list in middle grade fiction only. I love diverse, character-driven novels like Merci Suarez, and want to see more stories that deal with issues like mental health, divorce, death, and sexuality in a gentle and accessible way for the age group. I also adore ensemble friend groups who go on adventures.

Across all genres, I am committed to elevating underrepresented voices and working with authors from diverse backgrounds. I strongly encourage LGBTQ, BIPOC, disabled, and neurodivergent writers to query me, and I am always looking for #OwnVoices stories.

Please do not send me religious novels or nonfiction, practical nonfiction, military or political thrillers, high fantasy, erotica, new adult, or picture books.

I am not usually the right fit for YA or graphic novels, but if your project matches other interests of mine I’m happy to take a look.

This is not a complete list of everything that may appeal to me. When in doubt, send me a query!

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to assistant@bookhaven.com

Please send a query letter in the body of your email with the first chapter attached to assistant@bookhaven.com.

Guidelines & Details