Science-based books, especially in biology, forensic science, medicine, and cookbooks, as well as diverse voices and stories.
Picture/chapter books, middle grade, political heavy novels, poetry, novellas <50K, erotica, previously published novels.
Nicole Payne is a literary agent at Confluence Literary Agency who represents young adult and adult fiction novels, primarily in romance and related genres. She is actively expanding into non-fiction, particularly science-based books in biology, forensics, medicine, and cookbooks. She is committed to seeking diverse voices and stories across all genres.
Submissions should be emailed to https://querymanager.com/npayne Please check my Instagram page or Confluence Literary Agency for when I reopen to queries. I don't take email submissions. Please query me at https://querymanager.com/npayne for any queries to be considered. ROMANCE: - Rom coms – more than just the stereotypical boy meets girl. Give me something with a twist. I want depth but still cute and with great chemistry and banter. - Dark romances with spicy scenes (always consensual with open- or closed-door scenes) - Fantasy (no specifics on type as long as there's a significant romance) - Romances with flawed characters – love character growth and fine with Happy For Now as long as they're working on bettering themselves to achieve that Happily Ever After - Romantic thrillers - Romantic mysteries with unreliable narrators- there's nothing better than being sent down dozens of wrong rabbit holes SPECIFIC THINGS I WANT TO SEE: In general - Stories that have amazing voice, killer plot, magical words, and a uniqueness that can't be matched - More diverse voices and stories written by BIPOC authors - Starting scenes where we're dropped right into the action (no backstory) Fiction - STEM or STEAM-related books - Exotic settings- looking for non-European - Mythology – Egyptian, Norse, Chinese (no Greek, please) - Vampires (different than Twilight), Zombies, Aliens, or Psychics - Unique take on fairy tale retellings - Books focusing on body positivity - Redemption stories Non-fiction - Pop science- books in the biology, forensics, and medicine realm but told in an engaging way and not like a typical textbook - Cookbooks- looking for Eurasian, or African specific recipes with a story NOT LOOKING FOR: - Picture/chapter books - Middle grade - Political heavy novels - Poetry Collections - Novellas or stories less than 50K - Erotica - Previously published novels (please only send unpublished ones) SPECIFIC THINGS I DON'T WANT TO SEE: - In paranormal fiction, I don't currently want to see ghosts or genies. Witches are fine as long as there's a unique take on them - In fantasy, I am not looking for teen girl who unknowingly has powers and must save the world - Stories that start with the character waking up from a dream or nightmare - Stories that start with the character being followed by a person in a hooded cloak - Stories that start with the setting or weather (ie: "It was the winter of …" or "It was a beautiful fall day…")
Last verified: March 26, 2026
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