I’m currently seeking authors of Young Adult (YA) and Middle Grade (MG) fiction works.

Before anyone submits they must of course be familiar with the MG and YA category, and especially aware that the MG readership means readers who are 8-12 while YA is anything from 15-years to (nowadays) early 20’s. 

I would hope that submitting MG authors in particular, would be familiar with the nuances and standards of the readership internationally. Aware of things like the Newbery Medal being the pre-eminent award for MG books in America, and at least some familiarity with bestselling books such as Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me and R.J. Palacio’s Wonder – not to mention popular MG authors such as Clare Vanderpool, Gary D. Schmidt, Rita Williams-Garcia, Tim Federle, Christopher Paul Curtis, Jacqueline Woodson, Katherine Rundell, C.J. Flood, and Kate DiCamillo.

More broadly – I am interested in contemporary and progressive MG and YA literature, subversive speculative-fiction for both readerships, and I have dreams of seeing the Australian children’s and YA graphic novel sector grow.

I’m also a supporter of the ‘We Need Diverse Books’ movement, and would love to elevate Own Voices – a term coined by American YA author Corinne Duyvis, to identify books about marginalised protagonists written by authors who share that same identity.

If you want even more of an idea of what I like to read and could possibly be looking for; I do have a background as a book blogger, so I’m quite literally an open book when it comes to celebrating and discussing my readings habits on my blog –  Alpha Reader  - and also through my opinion writing. 
But certainly some manuscripts I’d love to read would include;

·      A powerful verse-novel with strong point of view and story elements (think; Kwame Alexander, Sarah Crossan, Ellen Hopkins, and Steven Herrick).

·      An assured short-story collection, or a story told in vignettes (think; Margo Lanagan, Sandra Cisneros, Kelly Link and Karen Russell)

·      A graphic novel – in this I am open to anything for YA or MG readers (but in the past I have loved; Through the Woods by Emily Carroll, El Deafo by Cece Bell, Nimona by Noelle Stevenson, and This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki)