Updated: What I’m looking for

Many frequent visitors to this blog know about what I’m looking for in queries and new projects. Here is an updated list of things I’m dying to see come in to me:

• Upmarket women’s fiction (high stakes, family issues, love, troubled heart, travel) with a new fresh concept
• Small town romance
• Historical fiction (i.e. The Tudor period, Regency, in the tradition of Philippa Gregory)
• Platform based non-fiction: must have a demonstrable expertise and know your quantifiable market
• Pop science and pop psychology proposals (i.e. brands, consumer behaviour, creativity, business with a commercial spin)
• Gritty contemporary YA
• High concept YA with a fresh new concept that hasn’t been done (i.e. light fantasy)
• High concept picture books that stand out from the pack

New Client: Jay Onrait

I am very happy to announce a new client I’m working with. Jay Onrait, Gemini award-winning sportscaster, co-host of TSN’s SportsCentre and all-around hilarious guy, is writing a fantastic book of stories and essays from his days as host of Winnipeg’s Big Breakfast, CTV Olympic Morning in Vancouver, hosting at TSN and all the funny antics in between.

Top 10 Themes, Characters and Genres I’m Looking For In Submissions Right Now

1. The Book Club Book – The Help, Time Travelers Wife, etc. Accessible and well written fiction
2. Pop Science – Time Magazine-esque non fiction (psychology, health, technology etc.)
3. Upmarket Non Fiction – women’s, memoir
4. Women’s Fiction – Elin Hilderbrand, Cathleen Schine, Jodi Picoult
5. Adult Fiction – characters over 30 years of age

Title Trends and Tips

Catchy title?

I have noticed titles being a point of contention lately. Either little thought has gone into them, they do not fit the genre, or writers are waiting to be represented or published to decide on a title.

While the title you query with often won’t be the title that goes to print (as the marketing department has a say and publishing houses ultimately make that decision), first impressions are still very important. You query with the title in the email subject heading which is the first thing agents and editors see in their inbox. We will always look past titles to the body of text, but why not use that opportunity to show how serious you are about your work.

How do you come up with a great title?