My interests lie in rom-com, love stories, commercial historical fiction, book club, and in female-driven novels with a slightly darker edge. Across all of these I am always looking for a strong hook – a set-up that immediately intrigues me and makes me want to find out more – as well as rich, layered characters who we can’t help but invest in.
Premise, character, and plot are all more important to me than lyrical writing: I want a book that takes you in on the first page and doesn’t let go until the end. I also love books where the setting almost takes on the role of a character such as in Where The Crawdads Sing or Netflix’s Virgin River. I love to be transported when I read; to discover new countries/cultures/environments and to be able to imagine myself in that setting due to how evocative the novel is.
When it comes to rom-coms, I represent Beth O’Leary and she epitomises what I look for from novels in the genre: a very clear hook and a fresh take on the existing tropes. Nora Goes Off Script leans into romance tropes and the result is a completely escapist, funny novel brimming with sexual tension. I want to champion more diverse writers in this space, too, so if you have written anything along the lines of Last Tang Standing or Casey McQuiston’s novels then please consider me for your book.
There will always be space on my list for an epic love story – I’m thinking In Five Years meets One Day – and particularly a love story that ‘transcends’ in some way: whether this means it spans generations, or travels the world, or bucks the status quo in another way.
Female friendships is another timeless and universal theme that I will never tire of reading about. There are so many different forms of friendship and I think a book that champions it, is its own kind of love story. From Thelma and Louise to Grace and Frankie, to the slightly less wholesome dynamics of Desperate Housewives, I think there is so much to explore and that doing so helps readers make sense of their own relationships.
I have long been looking for a historical novel with a focus on character and plot, with the historical detail woven throughout rather than being the central premise. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I am looking for love stories and book club fiction, set in the past. Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters is a wonderful example of a dual timeline series that centres on the revelation of long-held family secrets across generations. I also greatly enjoyed Tammye Huf’s A More Perfect Union, a love story set during the slave trade in America.
I recently read Weyward and was completely absorbed by the gothic world Emilia Hart drew me into: if you have written anything witchy that comments on women’s rights then please do send my way! I also really enjoyed the themes of obsession, media, and wealth in Succession and would love to see these replicated in book form, preferably with more of a feminist angle too.
Finally, I am also looking to build my list on the book club side, and want to find novels that pose a dilemma for the reader in some way: perhaps how you would react in the character’s position; or perhaps even questioning the status quo.
Other books and writers that I enjoy and epitomise my wishlist include:
- The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah
- Outlawed, Anna North
- The Hating Game, Sally Thorne
- Bridgerton Series, Julia Quinn
- Book Lovers, Emily Henry
- The Paper Palace, Miranda Cowley Heller
- The Herd, Emily Edwards
- Marian Keyes
- Jodi Picoult
- Taylor Jenkins Reid
For full submission guidelines click here. I look forward to reading your work!
The Darley Anderson Blog 
Dear Ms. Simons,
Want to get caught up in a richly woven multigeneration love story? Then you will be spellbound by my novel series Out Of The Blue, A Generational Love Story like no other. Out Of The Blue is not just a historical romance, it’s an affair of the heart. A period piece with a strong female protagonist who definitely has her flaws but keeps on standing tall and an underdog leading male character who rises up with dignity. My novel is historically informative and filled with details of the bygone era in which it takes place. Readers who enjoy classic period pieces, such as The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough or The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy will enjoy Out Of The Blue.
The first book takes place in the Eastern U.S. during the time of World War I. Jack, from a blueblood East Coast family, is running away from a tragedy and is living a rough life on the road. He is mute and searching for acceptance within himself and in the world. Lizzy has inherited the family’s once-grand tobacco plantation Rollins Farm and is struggling to pay off the huge debts that came with it and keep her family’s honor. Lizzy’s dark secrets keep her heart locked up and prevent her from loving. These two meet in a small town in South Carolina and are immediately drawn to each other, but can her fiery temper, their wide cultural differences, and the problems of prim Southern society and menacing bullies be overcome to let them live a life of love together? Or will circumstances, stubbornness, and misunderstandings drive them apart? This is the story of the challenges they face and their growing passion for each other.
In doing genealogy research for my family, I came across some information that sparked my imagination. My daydreams turned into a story and so I wrote it down. One story led to another and the next thing I knew I had an American saga comprising multiple volumes. Over several years I have written an extended story about a couple who meets in 1916 and ending in 1993. Having lived in both the Southeast and the Northeast, I used my knowledge and love of art, fashion, and culture to create something truly unique and very American. I love history, the arts and being creative, which has guided me in the details of my story, making it really come alive. Currently I live in Northern California with my husband, son, and two dogs. I have a background in art history, fashion history, and paleontology.
Earlier this year I published my first book in the series, and it is available on Amazon. You can also visit my website http://www.outofthebluebooks.com for more buying options and more details about the book. You will find this book interesting because of the unique love and compassion the two main characters have for one another, both of whom are each trying to escape from deep rooted family traditions they find hard to conform to.
Book One consist of 133,940 words.
I truly appreciate your time and consideration and I hope you will consider representing my novels. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth (Liz) Schloemer
author of Out Of The Blue
http://www.outofthebluebooks.com
schloemertrio@comcast.net
liz@lizzyandjack.com
925-360-4309
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for being in touch.
We would be happy to consider your submission. Please do send it via email to tanera@darleyanderson.com.
Full submission guidelines can be found at http://www.darleyanderson.com/submissions.
Best Wishes,
The DA Team
Dear Tanera,
Are you interested in LGBTQ love stories? I am seeking representation for my first novel ‘Street Sweeper’ a queer love story about two Londoners in search of an identity who find hope in love.
In 2021 Street Sweeper won the Novel London Literary Literary Competition, The Book Edit Prize and was long listed for the BPA First Novel Prize. Previously it was shortlisted for The Exeter Novel Prize and was a Finalist for the Luke Bitmead Award. The novel was shortlisted for The 2023 New Anglia Manuascript Prize.
Hope to hear from you.
Kind regards,
Nick Stone
Writing as BREN GOSLING
Dear Nick,
Many thanks for reaching out.
Tanera Simons is indeed looking for LGBTQ+ fiction and would love to read your work. Our full submission guidelines can be round on our website.
We look forward to reading your work.
Best wishes,
The DA Team
Thanks.
Will send.