WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR | WHAT I WRITE | CHAOS & DUST | YOUR WISH, MY COMMAND, ETCETERA
In my efforts to find an agent, I have reviewed hundreds of agent bios, manuscript wish lists and interviews with agents. Every literary agent has a list of things they want to see in the manuscripts they represent. It made me wonder: Why isn't it standard for authors to have something similar? Maybe that seems weird, but the whole process is unique to begin with, so why not?
So, here goes.
I am seeking a literary agent interested in partnering with me on what I hope will be a lifelong career featuring several published novels and (dare I to dream?) novellas. I'd love to work with someone who is passionate about fantasy fiction in all its forms within the young adult, new adult and adult categories.
I like having a bit of structure and can work to deadlines. Some flexibility can also be nice, within reason. Clear communication is also important to me.
I'd love to work with an agent who likes to be hands-on and offer constructive criticism. I'm no stranger to receiving critiques on my writing and integrating suggestions from those critiques into future drafts. I had plenty of practice doing that in writing workshops in undergraduate and graduate school, and I have continued to be active in critique groups since graduating.
I've noticed that agents like to assure authors that they are open to rare voices, LGBTQ authors and authors from minorities. With that in mind, I'm happy to clarify that, I, too, am open to any agent of any background, creed, religion, sexual orientation, voice or minority, as long as you're willing to work with a white Cajun woman like me.
I write fantasy fiction in the young adult, new adult and adult genres. My female or male protagonists tend to be independent, problem-solving individuals who challenge the status quo. They may be human with magical powers, or they're not human at all. Complex family and friend dynamics tend to be more common than romance.
My writing tends to be plot-oriented, with lots of action, hints of mystery and bits of humor spread throughout. No matter if the setting is urban fantasy or an alternate reality, every story features rich world-building. The alternate realities I explore tend to be close to our own, but I also love the idea of "near-future fantasy" as an alternative to "near-future science fiction." I love delving into the ins and outs of the fantasy elements. I also love character building. My nonhuman characters can offer unique views of humanity. Relatable characters stand behind their convictions, and even the "villains" can be sympathetic.
I have two novels with complete, polished manuscripts. I would love to get both novels published one day, as well as many more novels published further down the line. I find the ideas keep coming, so I am still actively writing even while trying to get the two listed below into the hands of readers.
Chaos & Dust (previously called A Wall of Roofs) is a young adult fantasy novel that trades "near-future" science fiction for "near-future" fantasy rich with buried secrets, complicated friendships, sweeping world-building and high-stakes action. It’s for anyone trying to carve their own way in a world that doesn’t understand them.
Your Wish, My Command, Etc. is a young adult urban fantasy novel that explores what it means to be the guy who grants the wishes. It is a story about family discoveries, the consequences of greed, and the dangers of breaking rules that never should have been broken.
© 2022 Danielle Ducrest | Page Updated 10/23