Thought you might like to see what agent Hanna Bowman said she was looking for this past week. Just remember now is not to time to start writing a story to fit this wish list, since by the time you finish, Hanna will probably be on to wanting other things. But maybe there is someone reading this post who has a manuscript written that is a perfect fit and is looking for a home. Or maybe you are working on something that fits and this will spur you on to finishing the book. Tip: Just make sure your manuscript is revised and polished before submitting. I hope this helps someone.
Hannah Bowman joined Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency in 2011. She has a B.A. from Cornell University, summa cum laude in English and magna cum laude in Mathematics. While a student, she spent four summers working in particle physics at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, before eventually deciding her true interest was books.
Hannah’s clients include:
-Pierce Brown (RED RISING trilogy, Del Rey, Feb. 2014) -Rosamund Hodge (CRUEL BEAUTY, Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins, Jan. 2014) -Brian Staveley (THE EMPEROR’S BLADES, Tor, Jan. 2014) -Dianna Anderson (DAMAGED GOODS: CHRISTIAN AND FEMINIST IN THE WAR ON WOMEN, Jericho Books, Spring 2015)
In her free time, she plays the organ.
Hannah specializes in commercial fiction, especially science fiction and fantasy, young adult fiction, women’s fiction, cozy mysteries, and romance. Hannah is also interested in nonfiction, particularly in the areas of mathematics, science and religion (especially history and sociology of Christianity).
HERE IS HANNA’S WISH LIST (This past week):
1. I’d love some great narrative nonfic about the history of science, like Bill Bryson’s A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING.
2. A Crichton-esque science thriller that really knows its science.
3. I’d love a great medieval mystery like Sharon Kay Penman’s THE QUEEN’S MAN
4. And I’m always looking for funny, lighthearted YA contemporary romance, the kind with no heavy issues.
5. I would love to find some great YA fantasy with a female protagonist — think Tamora Pierce, Sabriel,
6. I’m looking for books that play with narrative form like CODE NAME VERITY
7. I would love some great historical fantasy, or other epic fantasy for adults.
8. You know what I want? Fantasy, adult or YA, as fresh and creative as SABRIEL
9. The next Thursday Next. Smart, funny, brilliant, creative, full of literary meta-references
10. A medieval mystery series like Sharon Kay Penman’s THE QUEEN’S MAN or Sharan Newman’s DEATH COMES AS EPIPHANY.
11. YA girl-power fantasy a la Tamora Pierce with some really new, unusual worldbuilding.
12. In YA: a really funny (makes me laugh out loud funny) contemporary.
13. Funny urban fantasy like Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid books.
14. More fantasy: I want the next LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA or THE PALACE JOB. Magic and heists and cons!
15. Military fantasy that tells its battles as well as THE THOUSAND NAMES — a really great magical campaign.
16. Gorgeously-written, literary historical fantasy — something as numinous as JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL.
Contact Hannah at [email protected].
HANNA’S QUERY TIPS:
1. Who’s the main character, and why is he or she interesting/appealing?
2. What’s the plot, and how will it surprise me and take my breath away?
3. What’s the setting, and what interesting elements make it seem real?
4. A compelling, three-dimensional character in a well-realized setting (realistic or speculative) with a page-turning story to tell, will hook me.
Blog: http://hannahbowman.tumblr.com/
For further insight, Literary Rambles has an interview and links to other interviews with Hanna.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Filed under: Agent, demystify, Editor & Agent Info, opportunity, Places to sumit, Publishers and Agencies, Tips Tagged: Agent Looking for..., Agent Query, Agent Wishlist, Hannah Bowman, Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency
Love her query tips!