Ashley Lopez is a New York–based agent at Massie McQuilkin & Altman who champions strong authorial voices across horror (their single biggest passion), literary fiction with commercial legs, and narrative nonfiction—with a particular appetite for stories rooted in marginalized and diaspora cultures.
In brief
Horror is Lopez's loudest priority by a wide margin—they use notably emphatic language about it and the sub-genre tags span every horror flavor (psychological, supernatural, paranormal, literary, techno, occult, horror-comedy, and more), signaling genuine breadth rather than a narrow niche.
Literary fiction only lands if it carries a clear commercial hook—Lopez explicitly says lyrical prose as a sole selling point is insufficient; the pitch must demonstrate audience reach.
Their nonfiction appetite skews toward reported, culture-excavating work, especially from writers with personal stakes in the story they're telling—insider access and cultural specificity matter.
Diaspora and marginalized-community narratives recur throughout Lopez's taste signals across both fiction and nonfiction, suggesting this is a through-line rather than a checkbox.
Lopez is a Louisiana native now based in New York, and Southern literary fiction appears in their sub-genre tags—writers working in that tradition may find genuine affinity here.
Lately
Not to assign homework the first week of school, but here’s some supplemental reading for my MSWL
Lopez shared a reading recommendation in early January 2026, framed as supplemental material for the new year—suggesting active engagement with their client community and ongoing attention to books they find worth amplifying.
What Ashley is looking for
Lopez wants horror across every register—literary, psychological, supernatural, paranormal, occult, techno-horror, horror-comedy, and beyond. Diaspora-inflected horror (Latine, BIPOC, Asian, African) is especially welcome. There is no single horror sub-genre they appear to exclude; the ask is simply that it genuinely unsettles.
Literary fiction is welcome only when the pitch can articulate a clear commercial appeal beyond craft. Lyrical prose alone is not a hook. High-concept literary, upmarket crossover, and speculative-literary work all fit; 'pure' literary without an evident audience angle does not.
Lopez is specifically drawn to realistic female friendship narratives at any age, with a noted preference for queer friendship stories. On the family side, multiple-POV ensemble family narratives and mother-daughter dynamics are the strongest fits.
Lopez wants immersive, reported nonfiction that delivers genuine inside access—investigative, cultural-critical, or journalism-driven work. Pop history, pop science, and pop psychology all fit provided they carry narrative momentum.
Stories that recover or illuminate cultures that have been suppressed, erased, or overlooked are a clear priority—and Lopez explicitly values writers who are personally connected to the culture in question. This applies across both fiction and nonfiction.
YA appears throughout Lopez's sub-genre preferences—contemporary, fantasy, horror, LGBTQ+, and high-concept YA all feature. The same priorities (strong voice, commercial hook, diverse protagonists) apply here as in adult fiction.
LGBTQ+ work is welcome across categories—romance, contemporary, fantasy, YA, and nonfiction. Queer friendship stories are called out specifically. Lopez represents this across multiple genres rather than treating it as a standalone category.
Not the right fit
On Ashley's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Ashley
Email queries directly to ashley@mmqalit.com. Put the word 'QUERY' and your project's title in the subject line—this is a stated requirement, not a suggestion.
Paste the first 10 pages of your manuscript directly in the email body (below the query letter). For nonfiction, include a synopsis plus either a detailed chapter outline or a sample chapter—also pasted inline.
Do not attach any files. Attachments are explicitly unwelcome and may result in your query being ignored.
If you have not received a response within four to six weeks, Lopez considers that a pass—there is no need to follow up.
For literary fiction: your pitch must name and justify the commercial hook. Do not let craft language do all the work; Lopez wants to see who will read this book and why.
For horror: lean into specificity about what makes your manuscript frightening. Lopez's enthusiasm spans every horror sub-genre, so naming your flavor helps them picture the book.
For cultural/diaspora narratives: if you have personal connection to the culture you're writing about, say so in the query—Lopez explicitly values insider perspective.
Lopez responds to strong, distinctive authorial voice and a clear point of view. Open your query with something that demonstrates that voice rather than a generic plot summary.