Michelle Witte

I had been joking about a cold I've been trying to get over for a week that doesn't seem to want to go away, but that is fascinating about the word for depression being the same in both languages.

Junior Designer Job Description: NOTE: This role is based in New York City and encourages a minimum of two days per week in the SoHo office. Some roles or teams may require additional in-office attendance if the esse...

I am hiring a junior designer.

scholastic.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Extern...

I'm currently closed to queries. Yesterday I was reposting some of my wishlist from Twitter as part of MSWL day before I delete all the posts from my old account. It'll probably be several months before I reopen again.

I'm currently closed to queries and it'll probably be several months before I reopen again. You can check my Query Tracker account to see when I do reopen: QueryTracker.net/query/michel...

I'm currently closed to queries. Yesterday I was reposting some of my wishlist from Twitter as part of MSWL day before I delete all the posts from my old account. It'll probably be several months before I reopen again.

Hello Friends! Welcome to #MSWL Day 2026! 🎉

This is our second ever #MSWL Day on Bluesky. We’re happy you’re here!

You can, as of TODAY, search Bluesky and ManuscriptWishList.com posts at once: manuscriptwishlist.com/smart-search. All posts are verified by a human who works in publishing. ☕

Okay, I need to jump off the computer for awhile, but I may repost some of my classic MSWL this weekend as I transition them from my Twitter account before I delete them from over there.

Thanks! Colds always seem to drag on, but thankfully this one hasn't been horrible.

I do like them, but as I noted earlier I'm currently closed to queries. I'm trying to repost some of my wishlist from Twitter as part of MSWL day before I delete all the posts from my old account. It'll probably be several months before I reopen again.

As always, I'm interested in finding projects from writers and illustrators who are part of traditionally marginalized groups. I especially love to see books that incorporate unique elements from their heritage. For every age group I represent, board book to YA. A forever #MSWL.

I would love to find more cozy fantasy for YA/MG, and just cozy books in general. When the world is a dumpster fire, sometimes we just need a little escape where there are still stakes and things to do, but in a way that doesn't cause massive anxiety. #MSWL

I'm definitely looking for more submissions from people who write and illustrate graphic novels. #MSWL I've found I don't connect as strongly with just graphic novel texts, which is why I usually prefer to see sample pages of graphic novels from author-illustrators, for any children's age group.

It would be nice if there were a word for: I'm sick but not like deathly sick, just blah don't have a ton of energy and probably should be resting right now but I'm trying to catch up on work. Maybe there's one for it in German?

Yeah, I have several I'm still trying to get through from the last time I was open that I need to get through first, and get caught up on my regular work, so it'll probably be a few months before I reopen. But that may change if I can get caught up sooner.

Pssst - did you see the news that if you donate to your public library this week, you'll get a free audiobook credit from us? 👀⁠⏬

#MSWL I'd love to see wuxia or xianxia stories from Asian writers or the diaspora, either in YA/MG. I find stories from Asian history and folklore fascinating and want to see more from authors from those cultures. But I'm not interested if it's from a cultural appropriation self-insert perspective.

I used to love classics, but I got out of the habit of reading them, so at some point when I have some time I want to retrain myself to read slower and older stories. In college I used to devour 1,000-page classic British and French tomes like they were air I needed to survive. Not anymore, sadly.

Okay, self, it doesn't help when you're trying to get over a cold to drink your tea down the wrong pipe and you end up coughing all over again because you have issues with basic tasks like drinking liquids.

TYPO! I'm not the agent *for*

I always hope it doesn't need to be said, but sadly it does: even though I'm so white I'm clear and very much cishet, I'm not the agent dor books that feature any kind of intolerance toward other people, whether race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. I don't tolerate intolerance. #MSWL

Right there with you.

I struggled to get into the book when I tried reading it a few years ago, but I've still got my copy on the shelf, so I'll have to try again sometime. Lately I've found audiobooks helpful for keeping me focused with some books that start slow, especially if they were written decades ago.

Going through my old tweets to find MSWL posts and apparently in 2019 it was YA that everyone was doomsaying no one would buy anymore. . .

It's all cyclical, folks. YA eventually pulled out of its slump, and MG will too. It's just frustrating waiting to come out of any downward trend, so I get it.

This will forever be a #MSWL for YA/MG: kids/teens leading rebellions and speaking truth to power. Especially right now, when so many of them *are* leading the rebellions against those who want to oppress us.

I love anything dark and creepy, not just ghost stories. I watched We Have Always Lived in the Castle (which is fantastic, btw), so creepy/gothic with an unreliable narrator is a plus. #MSWL

I have a soft spot for Southern Gothic. Especially from/about POC. And I don’t mean just tossing a side character who practices hoodoo/voodoo into a mostly white story. *side eyes Hollywood* #MSWL

Dark fantasy or magical realism à la Pan’s Labyrinth is another love of mine. I love that creepy, ethereal feel of magical realism and folklore mixed with a dash of horror. #MSWL

I often crave dark, spooky, creepy stories in YA/MG, especially during fall and winter—those darker times of year. There’s something about it that especially makes me want to curl up with a good ghost story. #MSWL

Note to those new to Manuscript Wishlist Day: The purpose of #MSWL is to give writers an idea of the *kinds* of books agents are looking for. If your ms has a similar tone, theme, genre, etc., then that agent/editor might love your story too. #MSWL tweets are examples, not the only things we want.

To see my current status for queries you can check my Query Manager account (QueryTracker.net/query/michel...) or my personal website (www.michellewitteliterary.com) for more information.