High-stakes, plot-driven stories with unforgettable characters and intense emotional arcs. The writing should be raw and emo, with a focus on cathartic experiences.
Picture books with potty humor/fart jokes, heavy-handed morals, rhyme (unless 0-3); traditional cozies.
A former elementary school teacher turned children's book author and literary agent. She represents commercial fiction from board books through adult and is drawn to stories that are standout, weird, and quirky with intense, emotionally resonant writing.
Vicky only accepts via QueryManager. Unsolicited email queries will be automatically deleted and unread. Adult/YA: Plot-driven, high-stakes stories with unforgettable characters. Edge-of-your-seat grit (dark, raw, unflinching) but never dark for shock's sake. Cathartic, emo heart with angst, yearning, and vulnerability. Most eager to find: - Thriller/Suspense: Psychological with deep characterization, tension that's both external and internal, paranormal/supernatural - Horror: Haunted house stories, Gothic horror with psychological depth, supernatural horror, maritime horror, "social scary" horror - Commercial or Upmarket Fiction: Escapism with depth - Fantasy/Speculative: Dark or high fantasy, romantasy with tortured broody heroes, mystical or magical realism - Romance/Women's Fiction: Gothic, speculative, or horror-laced romance, broody or tortured heroes, slowburn blended with another genre - Mystery: Anything with an eerie, supernatural edge - Historical Fiction: Gothic fiction, historical horror, historical suspense/thriller, lesser-known pieces of history or unique twists Not looking for: Sci-fi or space operas, novellas, anthologies, short stories, poetry, time travel & multi-verse, zombie apocalypse, graphic sexual assault scenes, erotica, dark comedy or satire, literary fiction. Hard sells (open to but sees frequently): vampires, assassins, witches, memory loss. Chapter Books: Commercial concepts with an author-illustrator. Middle Grade: Anything hooky, weird, high concept, and grounded in our world. Picture Books: Author-illustrators only (except conference attendees or pitch events). Highly giftable, commercial fiction. Funny but not punny. Familiar storylines with a fresh twist. Whimsical, slightly offbeat characters. Stories that lean into universal childhood experiences in a way that feels new. Visual storytelling opportunities. Not looking for picture books: Heavy-handed morals, graphic novels, teams where author and illustrator are different people, potty humor, literary PBs, non-fiction PBs, kidlit that teaches a lesson. Illustrators: Commercial styles for BB, PB, Chapter Books, MG, and cover art.
Last verified: April 3, 2026
Howard Morhaim Literary Agency
Response time: ~10 weeks
Focused Artists
High Line Literary Collective
The Tobias Literary Agency