Query Submission

Send a Query to Carrie Pestritto at LDLA

Thanks for thinking of me for your project! I'm a big commercial and genre fiction lover, who is particularly drawn in by unique voices, strong character development, high-concept plots, and transporting experiences. I'm currently on the lookout for the following:

—ACROSS ALL GENRES—
• Commercial fiction and nonfiction featuring BIPOC, AAPI, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized rep.

—ADULT FICTION—
• Provocative, upmarket women's fiction with compelling characters and new plot lines (especially those for Millennial and Gen Z readers), e.g. not featuring the same upper-middle-class, suburban wife already fully explored in the genre.
• Engaging historical fiction (from about the 1800s on) showcasing a previously unfeatured perspective or an unknown aspect of history using riveting, immersive prose.
• Light, flirty romance and rom-coms with humor, modern relationships, and an escapist feel. I'm not the right fit for something in this genre that centers around social media/influencers, though.
• Thrillers and suspense with expertly executed twists or unreliable narrators (with main characters who are not the standard cops, district attorneys, CIA operatives, etc.).
• Sassy, fun cozy mysteries with closed room settings or that take place in an international locale (think Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation series-esque).

—ADULT NONFICTION—
• Transportive narrative nonfiction that reads like fiction.
• Prescriptive nonfiction.
• Pop science.
• Smart, piercing examinations of complex current issues. I’d love to see something exploring the unique space Asians inhabit in the racial spectrum or that tackles fringe movements, cults, etc.
• Memoir with timely or fascinating subject matter. I prefer stories centering around a specific event, period of time, topic, goal, etc. (like my client Marlo Mack's HOW TO BE A GIRL) as opposed to an entire chronology of someone's life. I'm not the right fit for inspirational or medical/illness memoirs.
• Biography/history that tackles previously unknown information or approaches from a new angle. I love microhistories!

—CHILDREN'S FICTION & NONFICTION—
• Early chapter books, MG, and YA that can be described as high-concept, tightly plotted, and inclusive (especially those that involve an adventure, mystery, or interesting character arcs/growth) with universally relatable tropes and a dash of quirkiness. However, I'm usually not a big fan of superhero stories in kidlit.
• Classical or universal stories, tropes, and relationships that have been given a fresh twist.
• Absorbing SFF with meticulous world building and anchored by a character-driven plot and vibrant relationships.
• Contemporary mysteries/thrillers with a non-school setting.
• Fun, STEM-based early chapter books or lower MG with a unique approach.

You can check out my #MSWL tweets at to learn more: twitter.com/search?q=%23MSWL%20from%3Aliterarycarrie&src=typd&lang=en.

If you think we might be a good fit, please fill out the query form below.

NOTE: I will *not* accept queries emailed to me directly.

I appreciate your cooperation and look forward to reading your submission! ☺

Step 1. Tell us about the author

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Final Step: Submit Your Query

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Send a Query to Carrie Pestritto at LDLA

Step 1. Tell us about the author

Step 2. Tell us about the book

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