Amanda Elliott is an Associate Literary Agent at Movable Type Management whose sweet spot sits at the intersection of cozy and epic fantasy, voice-driven mysteries, and romance with speculative warmth — always hunting for stories that lead with joy, wit, and forward momentum.
In brief
Elliott's wishlist skews heavily toward adult cozy/epic fantasy, romantasy, and rom-com-adjacent mysteries — their stated priorities and their favorite sub-genres are unusually well aligned, signaling genuine focus rather than a scattered list.
The named touchstone comps (A Letter to the Luminous Deep, The Poet Empress) telegraph a taste for lush, literary-leaning fantasy with emotional depth and diverse casts — pitch with that register in mind.
Elliott explicitly wants 'kitschier, campier, happier' romance and 'laugh-out-loud' comedic hooks — writers with dark, gritty, or angsty romance should look elsewhere.
A recent public post flags middle grade with a 'Swifts' comp as an active priority, confirming MG is not a secondary interest but a genuine, current target category.
Submission guidelines were updated May 2026; always pull the live requirements before querying — details may have changed.
Lately
And last (for now) middle grade that can be comped to the Swifts! #mswl
#mswl romantasy with killer hooks and exceptional magic or political systems, romantasy that understands current tropes and subverts them thoughtfully
#mswl speculative romance - especially stories that give me fresh takes on magic!
Literally made a bluesky to participate in #mswl day - I’d love to find a super hooky, voicey, upmarket mystery!
Elliott posted a public wishlist note calling out middle grade that could be pitched with a comp to the Swifts — confirming fast-paced, witty, ensemble-driven MG is an active, current priority.
What Amanda is looking for
Elliott wants cozy fantasy that still moves — stories with the warmth and low-stakes intimacy of the subgenre but with genuine plot propulsion rather than a meandering pace. If your cozy world stands still, this is not the right fit.
Seeking epic fantasy built on original magic systems and political structures that feel genuinely invented rather than borrowed from familiar templates. Worldbuilding specificity is a clear priority here.
Mysteries set entirely within invented fantasy worlds are a named priority — not a contemporary mystery with a magical twist, but a story where the investigative plot unfolds inside a fully realized secondary setting.
Adult romantasy is listed as a top favorite subgenre. The overall tone preference (campy, kitschy, happy) suggests Elliott leans toward romantasy with levity and emotional payoff over dark or grimdark romantic fantasy.
Elliott is specifically seeking romance projects that are kitschy, campy, and cheerful — the happier end of the tonal spectrum. Laugh-out-loud comedy with a sharp, memorable hook is a stated priority. LGBTQ+ rom-coms and regency romance both appear as named subgenre interests. Historical romance is also welcomed.
Voice-driven, snappy amateur-sleuth mysteries are welcomed, with the Finlay Donovan series cited as a tonal reference point — meaning comedic, propulsive, female-led mysteries with a strong narrative personality.
MG is a genuine priority, not an afterthought. Elliott has explicitly flagged high-concept, commercial MG fantasy and MG mystery. A recent public note called out MG that can be compared to the Swift series — suggesting a taste for fast-paced, ensemble-driven, witty MG adventure.
High-concept YA in the fantasy and mystery lanes is on the list, with dark academia appearing as a named subgenre interest. YA does not receive the same emphasis as adult fantasy or MG in Elliott's public signals, placing it at medium heat.
Speculative literary fiction is listed as a represented category but receives no detailed wishlist elaboration. Query only if the project clearly sits at the literary-speculative crossroads and has a strong commercial hook.
Not the right fit
On Amanda's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Amanda
Elliott's submission guidelines were updated in May 2026 — retrieve the current requirements directly from their agency page before preparing your package, as details may differ from older cached versions.
Tonal fit is everything here: lead your query letter with language that conveys warmth, wit, and forward momentum. Elliott explicitly wants campy, kitschy, happy — a dark or angsty framing will signal a mismatch immediately.
For fantasy queries, name your magic system and political structure early and concisely — these are called out as specific criteria, not background flavor.
For cozy fantasy, address plot momentum directly in your pitch. Elliott has flagged a desire for cozy that actually moves, so briefly noting how your story drives forward can preempt the most common rejection reason in this subgenre.
For MG queries, a comp to a fast-paced, ensemble-driven series like the Swifts will land well with Elliott right now — this was a specifically named desire as recently as February 2026.
For romance and rom-com queries, your hook line should do real work — Elliott calls out 'a great hook' as a named priority, so your query's logline needs to be punchy and memorable, not merely descriptive.
Secondary-world mysteries (fantasy setting + detective plot) appear underserved on many wishlists; Elliott's explicit interest here may mean less competition than in pure contemporary mystery — worth flagging clearly in your query that the investigation unfolds inside a fully invented world.
Elliott's email is listed publicly (aelliott@movabletm.com); however, always confirm query format and submission requirements via the live agency submission guidelines, which may specify a form or additional materials.