Chelsey Emmelhainz is a former NYC editor turned highly selective literary agent at Copps Literary Services, hunting plot-driven adult fiction—especially horror, psychological suspense, and cozy mysteries—alongside narrative and platform-driven nonfiction, with a strong editorial hand and a bias toward diverse, high-concept storytelling.
In brief
Emmelhainz spent roughly a decade as an editor at major and boutique houses—including HarperCollins imprints William Morrow and Avon, and Crooked Lane Books—before moving to agenting, which means their editorial feedback is substantive and grounded in real acquisition experience.
Their wishlist skews strongly toward adult horror (especially psychological, supernatural-historical, and non-Western contemporary), upmarket psychological suspense, and cozy mysteries with series legs—these are the categories to lead with.
They are building a deliberately small, selective list, not a high-volume one; query only if your project is a strong, specific fit.
A notable personal obsession: any narrative touching on the Donner Party. If your project involves it, say so early.
Emmelhainz is explicit about craft standards: they want comps (3–5, recent, realistic, and relevant), a clear platform argument in nonfiction proposals, and high-concept hooks that feel fresh rather than derivative.
Lately
Emmelhainz describes a desire for horror that marries a recognizable historical moment or real-world event with a supernatural layer, citing Alma Katsu's work as a touchstone for this hybrid approach. Contemporary horror set in non-Western contexts is also flagged as an underserved and sought-after niche.
What Chelsey is looking for
Emmelhainz has a clear appetite for horror across several registers: slow-burning dread, uncanny or unusual haunted spaces, family horror, cult narratives, supernatural suspense, and psychological horror broadly. A particularly favored sub-type fuses a well-known historical era or real event with a supernatural element—think the approach Alma Katsu takes in The Fervor and The Deep. Contemporary horror set outside the Western world is also flagged as a specific priority. Note: despite the appetite for supernatural suspense, they do not want literal demons, faeries, zombies, or ghosts played straight.
Emmelhainz wants upmarket, high-concept psychological suspense that delivers twists and themes the market hasn't yet saturated. The emphasis is on genuine freshness—not a retread of familiar domestic-thriller beats. Strong voice and layered conflict are expected. No political thrillers or spy novels.
Cozy mysteries with series potential are a clear priority, particularly those featuring diverse protagonists. Emmelhainz is especially enthusiastic about queer millennial leads and projects that incorporate an animal companion (a cat is specifically mentioned). The series potential framing matters: pitch with at least a sense of the arc beyond book one.
Literary-leaning crime and mystery with series potential, particularly when protagonists come from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Hard passes: noir, political thrillers, and spy novels.
Magical realism—distinct from fantasy—grounded in our world and elevated through family drama or the friction of strained relationships. The supernatural element should feel like an extension of emotional reality, not a portal to another world.
High-concept commercial fiction and romance with fresh hooks, genuinely multidimensional female characters, and layered conflict across romantic, platonic, and familial relationships. The hook must be distinctive. Not interested in projects centered on Hollywood, celebrities, reality TV, or 'diva' archetypes.
Emmelhainz is drawn to narrative nonfiction that brings American history to life through compelling, story-driven prose rather than dry scholarship. The Donner Party is a noted personal fascination. Projects must demonstrate why the specific author is the right person to tell the story, backed by relevant credentials and a clear platform.
Nonfiction rooted in the social sciences, where the author brings demonstrable platform—audience, credentials, or institutional authority—that will actively support marketing and publicity. Proposals must be carefully crafted and explicit about the author's qualifications and reach.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Chelsey
Include 3 to 5 comparative titles that are recent, realistic, and genuinely relevant to your project—Emmelhainz explicitly calls this out as a requirement, not a suggestion.
Lead with your high-concept hook in the first line. Emmelhainz is a plot-first reader who wants to know immediately what the premise is and why it's fresh.
For nonfiction, your proposal must make an explicit case for why you—specifically—are the right author for this book. List credentials and explain how your existing platform will support the book's publicity.
If your project touches on the Donner Party in any way, mention it prominently. Emmelhainz has flagged this as a subject they will 'devour.'
Do not pitch noir, political thrillers, spy novels, or anything centered on Hollywood/celebrity culture—these are hard exclusions regardless of the quality of the writing.
If you are pitching horror, make clear whether it qualifies as supernatural suspense or psychological horror. Avoid framing your antagonists as literal demons, faeries, zombies, or ghosts unless your treatment deconstructs or subverts those tropes in a meaningful way.
For cozy mystery pitches, address series potential explicitly—Emmelhainz is thinking long-term and wants to see that you have.
Because Emmelhainz is building a small, selective list, a targeted, personalized query referencing specific stated interests (e.g., non-Western horror, historical-supernatural hybrids) will signal that you've done your research.