Narrative nonfiction exploring cultural phenomena and hidden histories, literary fiction with exceptional voice and dynamic characters, mysteries with a cozy twist from BIPOC perspectives, fantasy books featuring non-European characters and folklore, YA stories about found family, LGBTQIA+ relationships, and friendship challenges, as well as MG and PB titles with contemporary themes and cute hooks.
Stories containing sexual or physical abuse.
Beth Marshea is the owner and Lead Agent at Ladderbird Literary Agency with a BA in Literature and an MBA. She is committed to bringing more diversity into publishing, particularly seeking works from disabled writers, LGBTQIA+ writers, and writers from underrepresented communities.
Non-Fiction Adult - Actively seeking narrative nonfiction centering around cultural phenomena, hidden or weird histories, issue-driven books, and books that offer new ways to look at spiritualism, witchcraft and paganism. - Not a good fit for books on the Judeo-Christian religions. Fiction Adult Literary Fiction - Looking for work with exceptional voice and beautiful style, unusual settings, and works that involve clever plots with dynamic characters. - Wants to see work that brings to light new perspectives on old ideas. - Particularly interested in multi-generational stories that show family dynamics, stories centered around found family or friendship. - Especially interested in seeing works by and about BIPOC communities, especially Latinx and Indigenous writers. - NOT interested in stories containing sexual or physical abuse. Mainstream/Commercial Fiction - Would love to see more multicultural Meet-Cutes/RomComs (especially LGBTQ+), Family Drama, stories about friendships of any kind. - Work that is light and fun, but emotionally poignant at the same time. Mysteries - Cozies with a twist. It might be an unusual setting, or simply written from BIPOC perspective to give this genre a new voice. Thrillers - Loves a thriller that really keeps you on the edge of your seat guessing. - Particularly looking for thrillers set outside of the United States. - Does not love thrillers that feature violence towards women as their main plot. Fantasy - Books that are fast-paced with wonderful (ideally non-European) characters. - Would love to see more fantasies based on non-European folklore, especially Latinx (new imaginings of El Cucuy, El Sombrerón, Duendes, etc…). Science Fiction - No longer acquiring Science Fiction. Young Adult Contemporary - Very actively looking for stories about found family, the difficulties of friendship, LGBTQIA+ Rom/Coms. - Anything that is really poignant and pulls at your heart strings, especially if it is set outside of the U.S. Mysteries/Thrillers - Stories with high stakes, and complex friendships stretched thin. - In YA, Mysteries/Thrillers of almost any kind are appealing as long as they are emotionally focused and bring a new point of view. - Not a fan of unreliable narrators. Fantasy - Very similar to Adult Fantasy, prefers folkloric tales, but very glad to have a happy ending. - Interested in tales that feature friendships rather than romance as their base, but really dig in to the full emotions of that particular love and struggle. Middle Grade - Looking for contemporary stories that have fun, compelling characters dealing with real problems that Middle School kids face: friendship, divorce, gender identity, budding feelings of attraction or a lack of those feelings, feelings of isolation, and found family stories. - Also interested in Fantasy that explores similar themes. Picture Books - Dying to find books with really cute hooks like "The Day the Crayons Quit", or nice messaging like "Not Quite a Narwhal". - Would love to find a book that brings parents and kids together with language simple enough for a young child to read, but engrossing enough for an adult to enjoy. Overall: More queer books by BIPOC and disabled authors!
Last verified: April 4, 2026
Howard Morhaim Literary Agency
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Storm Literary Agency
Aevitas Creative Management