Following an internship with agent Anna Olswanger, I became a Literary Associate with Olswanger Literary in September 2021. If you are a writer who has a polished manuscript in the areas of adult fiction or narrative nonfiction, please check below for my current submission status as well as my interests and submission guidelines.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
I accept submissions of adult fiction and select narrative nonfiction. For adult fiction, I am currently on the hunt for lighter fare with smart humor and a unique hook. I also am seeking upmarket and commercial fiction in the following areas: contemporary fiction, women's fiction, psychological thrillers/suspense, mystery, and light/clever horror (not slasher/gore; think more Grady Hendrix-style for this). I welcome diverse narratives, including but not limited to LGBTQ+ and underrepresented ethnicities/cultures. I adore stories with humor, well-done ensemble casts, and plots that deliver the unexpected. Send me something unique that will make me laugh! I am open to sharp romantic comedy, but do not send me romance if there's no comedic element or original hook. I'd love to see book club fiction or something spooky and atmospheric. I will consider literary fiction so long as there is a discernible structure/plot; I am not the best fit for stories focused on an emotional or sensory journey—beautiful as the writing may be—if the storyline is vague or absent. I am open to historical fiction, but please do not send manuscripts set prior to the 19th century. I'm not a match for science fiction/fantasy but will consider stories with light elements of fantasy or magical realism grounded in a familiar world (think The House in the Cerulean Sea). Note: I do not represent any children's/YA projects.
In narrative nonfiction, areas of interest include (but are not limited to) true crime (i.e., The Trial of Lizzie Borden, by Cara Robertson) and unique windows into history (i.e., Mudlark, by Lara Maiklem).
I accept submissions of adult fiction and select narrative nonfiction. For adult fiction, I am currently on the hunt for lighter fare with smart humor and a unique hook. I also am seeking upmarket and commercial fiction in the following areas: contemporary fiction, women's fiction, psychological thrillers/suspense, mystery, and light/clever horror (not slasher/gore; think more Grady Hendrix-style for this). I welcome diverse narratives, including but not limited to LGBTQ+ and underrepresented ethnicities/cultures. I adore stories with humor, well-done ensemble casts, and plots that deliver the unexpected. Send me something unique that will make me laugh! I am open to sharp romantic comedy, but do not send me romance if there's no comedic element or original hook. I'd love to see book club fiction or something spooky and atmospheric. I will consider literary fiction so long as there is a discernible structure/plot; I am not the best fit for stories focused on an emotional or sensory journey—beautiful as the writing may be—if the storyline is vague or absent. I am open to historical fiction, but please do not send manuscripts set prior to the 19th century. I'm not a match for science fiction/fantasy but will consider stories with light elements of fantasy or magical realism grounded in a familiar world (think The House in the Cerulean Sea). Note: I do not represent any children's/YA projects.
In narrative nonfiction, areas of interest include (but are not limited to) true crime (i.e., The Trial of Lizzie Borden, by Cara Robertson) and unique windows into history (i.e., Mudlark, by Lara Maiklem).
SEND ME:
General Fiction
Upmarket
Commercial
Literary
Women’s Fiction
Contemporary
Multicultural
LGBTQ+
Historical (nothing set prior to the year 1800, please)
Romantic comedy
Suspense/Thrillers
Mystery
Magical Realism
Light/clever horror (not gore-heavy)
Narrative Nonfiction
General Fiction
Upmarket
Commercial
Literary
Women’s Fiction
Contemporary
Multicultural
LGBTQ+
Historical (nothing set prior to the year 1800, please)
Romantic comedy
Suspense/Thrillers
Mystery
Magical Realism
Light/clever horror (not gore-heavy)
Narrative Nonfiction
DO NOT SEND:
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Military/Political Fiction
Erotica
Children’s/Picture Books
Middle Grade
Young Adult
New Adult
Graphic Novels
Memoir
Poetry
Screenplays
Want a better sense of what books have kept me turning the pages? Check out my Pinterest book boards:
ADULT FICTION
ADULT NONFICTION
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Military/Political Fiction
Erotica
Children’s/Picture Books
Middle Grade
Young Adult
New Adult
Graphic Novels
Memoir
Poetry
Screenplays
Want a better sense of what books have kept me turning the pages? Check out my Pinterest book boards:
ADULT FICTION
ADULT NONFICTION
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
PLEASE NOTE: I am open to submissions.
TO QUERY:
For fiction and narrative nonfiction, include a brief query letter, the first 20 pages of your manuscript, and a synopsis using this link: https://QueryManager.com/AnnieRomano.
I aim to respond to all queries within 12 weeks. I regret that, when replying, I cannot provide specific feedback on manuscripts. This is an unfortunate reality of the time restraints of the business and the volume of queries received. I am keenly aware of the time and effort that goes into crafting a story, and I appreciate you trusting me with your work. (Note: Please send to only one Olswanger literary associate at a time. If one of us passes, you are welcome to submit to another.)
INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS:
For non-query business/industry professional communication, I can be reached at annie@olswangerliterary.com. (Writers: Please do not send queries to this email. Any queries sent to this email will be deleted unread.)
PLEASE NOTE: I am open to submissions.
TO QUERY:
For fiction and narrative nonfiction, include a brief query letter, the first 20 pages of your manuscript, and a synopsis using this link: https://QueryManager.com/AnnieRomano.
I aim to respond to all queries within 12 weeks. I regret that, when replying, I cannot provide specific feedback on manuscripts. This is an unfortunate reality of the time restraints of the business and the volume of queries received. I am keenly aware of the time and effort that goes into crafting a story, and I appreciate you trusting me with your work. (Note: Please send to only one Olswanger literary associate at a time. If one of us passes, you are welcome to submit to another.)
INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS:
For non-query business/industry professional communication, I can be reached at annie@olswangerliterary.com. (Writers: Please do not send queries to this email. Any queries sent to this email will be deleted unread.)
QUERY TIPS
- Be sure your work is complete and polished before querying.
- Include the title, genre, word count, and recent comp titles/authors.
- Keep your bio brief and relevant.
- Do not send any materials that are not specifically requested in the submission guidelines.
- If you're submitting narrative nonfiction, include your credentials on the topic.
“No author dislikes to be edited as much as he dislikes not to be published.” - Russell Lynes