I'm actively seeking page-turning fiction for all audiences from middle grade through adult, and I am expanding my Upmarket Book Club lists. I am looking for novels with high-concepts and distinctive voices in a variety of genres ranging from fabulism & fantasy, to psychological & domestic suspense, thriller, procedurals, Historical (particularly lesser known cultures, peoples, and histories) and mystery, to Literary speculative, magical realism, and horror! I'm not the best fit for sweeping family sagas or domestic sadness unless it has external high-stakes, for example,
Whether it be heartwarming and funny, dark & edgy, supernatural and suspenseful, or mysterious and maddening, I love dashes of magic and propulsive reads that stand out.
I am eagerly seeking underrepresented voices, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA, disability #OwnVoices. For more information, scroll down to download a PDF of my one-sheet (updated January 2023). Additionally, because it's tough to capture in one sheet and it's ever-evolving, I also offer #MSWL tweets and regularly update Manuscript Wish List
GENRES I DON'T REPRESENT: I do not represent adult non-fiction, prescriptive lifestyle or fitness non-fiction, Picture Books, Erotica, New Adult, and Regency Romances.
FAVORITES:
The Bottom Line: I am looking for amazing stories! I am always interested in strong voice and authentic characters put into wonderful new worlds and/or compelling plots. A great premise will usually get my interest, but the characters & the voice will will will keep me reading! I tend to be drawn to tightly written, atmospheric fiction...
Some of my favorite books that I have not represented are: NIGHT CIRCUS, OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY, THE GUEST LIST, IN THE WOODS, THE SECRET HISTORY, THE POWER, THE FIREMAN, THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, PRACTICAL MAGIC, THE WINTER PEOPLE, THE VERY NEARLY HONORABLE LEAGUE OF PIRATES, BITTERSWEET, BONE GAP, THE FEVER, UNDER THE HARROW, WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE, THE VANISHING HALF, THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, HOUSE OF SPIRITS, THE HAZELWOOD, MY SISTER THE SERIAL KILLER, CORALINE, VISIT FROM THE GOOD SQUAD, TELL THE WOLVES I'M HOME, THE GIRL IN THE TOWER, HEIST SOCIETY, SHARP OBJECTS, THE NINTH HOUSE, THE TRUTH ABOUT THE HARRY QUEBERT AFFAIR, DAISY JONES & THE SIX, THE GIRLS AT THE KINGFISHER CLUB, THE VANISHING DEEP, and AN EMBER IN THE ASHES, SPELLS FOR FORGETTING and so so many more. I tweet about such books often, though not as often as I'd like.
I’m interested in: inclusive novels that represent BIPOC experiences, being a little bit frightened, a game of cat and mouse, a truly original myth or fairy tale re-imagined, unexpected mashups, a dash of magic or whimsy, and I think the following things are pretty great: clockwork, the space-time continuum, forensics, mythology, covert operations, medicine and the macabre, stars, mysterious disappearances, weird science, awesome sidekicks, hackers, math geeks, spies, nerds, disguises, sexual tension, and anything with secrets!
Please note, that while I have my wish list, some of my favorites have been the ones that came by surprise.
LEE O'BRIEN - Junior Agent
Across all age categories, I’m looking for pacy, high concept stories with a distinctive voice and clear stakes, whether those stakes are physical or emotional. I’m interested in a range of genres, from sci-fi/fantasy, to horror, to psychological thrillers/domestic suspense, to romance, to contemporary. I love stories with a strong atmosphere and immersive world, or a compelling plot full of twists and turns.
I’m also a complete sucker for secrets, love triangles, magic, monsters, girls with swords, trans folx with medieval weaponry in general, puzzles, intrigue, heists, queer romance (whether it’s a first crush or an epic love story), and hauntings of all kinds. I am actively seeking underrepresented voices.
Some favorite books that I have not represented are: GIDEON THE NINTH, BLANCA AND ROJA, CEMETERY BOYS, SIX OF CROWS, LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE, THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER, HEARTSTOPPER, LINE IN THE DARK, THE RAVEN CYCLE, THE FEVER KING, ARU SHAH AND THE END OF TIME, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY, CATHERINE HOUSE
GENRES I DO NOT REPRESENT: I do not represent adult non-fiction, prescriptive lifestyle or fitness non-fiction, memoirs, faith-based/inspirational fiction, picture books, erotica, and new adult
I can be found on twitter as @LeePaigeOBrien. I use They/He pronouns and prefer the title Mx.