From the Publisher: My Manuscript Wish List (Part 2) – Adult Fiction

In my previous post, I shared the overall MSWL for Grace Bell Publishing in Manuscript Wish List Part 1. Today, I thought I would focus specifically on adult fiction. 

Firstly, I love historical fiction. I really love going back in time in a story. This is definitely a high MSWL for me.

Another area that particularly interests me is the possibility of developing a studio-led fiction series aimed at the book club market. I love stories that spark deep conversations and leave readers thinking about the characters long after they have finished the final page. If this type of collaborative project appeals to you, please include in your submission if you would be interested in being considered for studio-led projects. The FAQ section on the GBP website explains the studio-led concept.

By "book club fiction," I mean highly readable stories with compelling characters, emotional depth, and themes that readers will want to discuss. It's also worth noting that GBP titles generally lean towards commercial fiction rather than literary fiction.

Interestingly, when submissions were open last year, I received far fewer adult fiction submissions than children's manuscripts. This isn't entirely surprising. Before founding Grace Bell Publishing, I had previously worked as a literary agent specialising in children's books, so most of my industry connections have been in the children's publishing space. That being said, I would absolutely love to connect with more adult fiction authors.

As a reader, I tend to gravitate towards clean fiction with little to no spice. While Grace Bell Publishing publishes stories across a range of genres, I am generally not looking for horror, magical realism, or stories that rely heavily on graphic violence. Beyond that, I remain fairly open-minded and am happy to consider a variety of genres that align with the overall vision outlined in Part 1 of this manuscript wish list series.

One thing I almost always enjoy is humour. Whether it's a romantic comedy, contemporary novel, historical fiction, or something else, I love stories that make me feel amused.

Some of my favourite authors include Jen Turano, Courtney Walsh, Melissa Ferguson, Carolyn Miller, and Rachel Hauck.

Perhaps the biggest thing I am searching for is a fresh concept. There are already so many wonderful books on bookstore shelves, which means a manuscript needs something that helps it stand out from the crowd. That doesn't necessarily mean an unusual setting or a high-concept premise. Sometimes it is simply a familiar genre approached from a completely new angle. 

Generally speaking, my ideal submission would be a commercially appealing novel with a fresh concept, memorable characters, warmth, humour, emotional depth, a strong plot, and a hopeful ending that leaves readers feeling encouraged. And of course, a topic that would suit book clubs.

I encourage writers to also read my blog post, "The Other Side of Manuscript Submissions - Thoughts at Grace Bell Publishing," as there are some helpful insights there. Please also note the submission guidelines on the GBP website.

If your manuscript doesn't perfectly match every item on this list, don't automatically rule yourself out. A manuscript wish list is intended to provide guidance rather than a rigid checklist. That said, I do find it wonderful when authors have taken the time to understand Grace Bell Publishing's vision, values, and publishing direction before submitting. 

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