Tara Gonzalez

I’m an agent with the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. I’m also the social media coordinator for EMLA.

I read widely across genres and age groups, representing mainly picture books through young adult novels, including graphic novels at every level.

Across all ages and genres that I represent, I am actively looking to find diverse and underrepresented voices.

Here are some random things I love/am currently thinking about! This list is in no way a strict guideline – some of my favourite stories are ones I didn’t think I’d love going in. Please feel free to query me if you think we might be a good fit in general!

General Loves/Wants

• I love horror. I want all the spooky. Please give me ghosts, haunted houses, witches, monsters under the bed, your worst nightmare. This can also be a murder mystery, serial killer, slasher, psychological thriller, you name it, I love it.

• Cottagecore vibes

• Dark and light academia vibes

• Gothic vibes

• I love pretty much anything that can be compared to a vibe

• I love manuscript aesthetics/mood boards. Please feel free to include them in your query. I love looking at them.

• I love, love, love witches. I have loved witches all my life and desperately want something that could lend itself to a witchy series, à la the Sweep series by Cate Tiernan

• I’m a sucker for atmosphere. Lush writing and vivid imagery. I want to feel the fog on the moors.

• I love stories that take place outside of the USA.

• All the unlikeable heroines!

• I love a good rom com.

• And a good first crush! I love the awkwardness of a middle school romance.

• And a good friendship story. Friendships are so complicated.

• Generational family stories

• I love mysteries. As in I have played every single Nancy Drew computer game. Every single one. I love sleuthing children.

• I love stories about characters exploring their heritage and family and what it means to them.

• Ghost boyfriends. Remember the Mediator series by Meg Cabot? Loved that.

• I want a story with this vibe: Three women discovered they were dating the same man. They dumped him and went on a months-long road trip together.

• Slice of life speculative stories. Witchy rom coms. Other things of that nature.

• A story with the vibes of this tweet: “books about disaster friend groups where they’re all a bit feral and all a bit in love, someone’s having a breakdown, and there is a supernatural horror in the background that they’re absolutely going to mess with”

• Also, the vibes of this tweet: “antagonistic/villainous characters who join up w/ the protags and go ‘oh god these people are a mess’ and become their reluctant babysitter/voice of reason”

• And the vibes of this tweet: “Are you a high school student interested in summoning the dead to pursue social justice?”

• I’m sure I’ll add more here soon!

Young Adult

I am always a sucker for contemporary romance, non-USA settings, and witches, as well as fantasy, thriller, and historical fiction. In particular, I’d love to find novels that focus on body positivity and personal empowerment (that don’t result in weight loss). Give me The Conjuring in a YA book or The Mummy (Brendan Fraser version). And girls in tech and science. Girls playing video games. I’d love to find a YA about a girl in competitive esports. I desperately want more YA that explores freshman year of college and the anxiety and experience of adulthood(ish) for the first time.

Middle Grade

In middle grade I tend to gravitate towards fantasy, action/adventure, contemporary, mysteries, and historical fiction. I love books with eco angles (especially eco mysteries). In contemporary, I love middle grade novels that focus on friendship and the complexities of growing up. Make me cry, please. Also, witches. I love protagonists that are passionate and interested in unique subjects – I’d love to see a mystery involving archaeology or museums. On a personal note, I’m Cuban-American and would love to find a book exploring what that means. I’d also love to find middle grade novel involving horses and a diverse cast of characters that could lend itself to a series, à la Saddle Club.

Picture Books

I am more selective with the picture books I represent. I love picture books with heart that give me goosebumps. I find myself mostly drawn to picture books about families, culture, traditions, and nature. And food. (And witches.) I also love lyrical nonfiction picture books. A more specific want – I’d love to see a picture book about the rangoli art form. Also, I want chaotic picture books.

Submission Guidelines

I am currently open to submissions from conferences, referrals, and requests while I catch up on reading. I am also always open to queries from all marginalized creators. If you feel like we would be a good fit, please view my QueryManager to submit.

I realize that submitting a query via form may feel impersonal to some, but overall this system helps me with organization and more timely responses. I read each query personally and do appreciate your efforts in filling out the form!

Guidelines & Details