Daniel Niv is an Associate Literary Agent at Olswanger Literary whose editorial instincts run toward lush, character-driven adult fiction—especially romance subgenres with dark or fantastical edges—alongside spirituality-forward nonfiction and historical narrative.
In brief
Daniel's wishlist skews heavily toward romantasy, dark romance, and horrormance, but she explicitly invites queries outside her stated interests—self-rejection is something she actively discourages.
Her editorial background (manuscript reader for multiple publishing houses, co-founder of an anthology press) means she expects revision rounds and is drawn to projects with developmental upside, not just polished final drafts.
Her taste in fiction gravitates toward morally gray characters, slow burns, and atmospheric darkness—writers pitching cozy or feel-good romance will find a softer welcome than those bringing tension and secrets.
Her nonfiction appetite is unusually broad: wartime historical narrative, the full spectrum of mind-body-spirit topics, and charming 'literary figure + lifestyle angle' hybrids sit comfortably alongside self-help and how-to.
The 'favorite TV/author' signals are a strong compass: Outlander, Peaky Blinders, and Leigh Bardugo point consistently toward period-set, morally complex, romantically charged stories; Gilmore Girls and Dickinson hint at an affection for witty, voice-driven character work as a counterbalance.
Lately
Daniel has indicated she welcomes queries across a broad range of romance subgenres, with particular enthusiasm for projects that pair a romance arc with an equally compelling main plot—especially when the tone is dark, atmospheric, or historically grounded.
What Daniel is looking for
This is Daniel's clearest priority. She wants fantasy where the romance is load-bearing—not decorative—with high emotional stakes and a compelling parallel plot engine. Slow burns, forbidden love, and enemies-to-lovers arcs (including the full reversal back to enemies) are especially welcome. The darker and more atmospheric the world, the better. Think Leigh Bardugo or Sarah J. Maas in tone and ambition. Standalones with series potential are ideal.
Daniel is drawn to romance that leans into danger, dread, or historical texture. Horrormance—where horror and romance genuinely intertwine—is a specific callout, not just a modifier. She is spice-level agnostic as long as tension remains high throughout. Historical romance should carry a real sense of period and place. Tropes she loves across these subgenres: witty banter, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, love triangles, secrets, betrayals, and plot twists.
Daniel actively seeks fantasy across the power spectrum, gothic fiction, and dark academia. She favors atmospheric, lushly written worlds over hard-magic-system or technology-forward approaches. Retellings of myth, folklore, or literary source material are a strong fit. She is drawn to unique or historical settings and to protagonists who are initially vulnerable but discover real strength.
Beyond genre fiction, Daniel is open to character-driven historical novels, upmarket commercial fiction, and multigenerational family sagas—particularly those with diverse voices, non-Western or unusual settings, and an element of darkness or moral complexity. She favors lush writing over plot-driven page-turners, though a compelling hook remains non-negotiable.
This is a genuine passion category. Daniel's range here is deliberately wide: New Age, esotericism, mysticism, occult, witchcraft, astrology, tarot and divination, mindfulness, dreams, and nature writing are all in scope. Beautiful oracle and tarot deck projects are specifically welcomed. Projects that feel whimsical, quirky, and accessible to a younger adult audience are especially appealing. Her own candle-making and witchcraft interests make this more than acquisitions strategy—it reflects personal taste.
Daniel enjoys nonfiction that blends categories in unexpected ways—the 'literary figure plus lifestyle angle' format (a gardening book tied to a canonical author, a cookbook inspired by a classic novelist) is something she has called out as especially appealing. Heartwarming, cozy, and inviting in tone. Standard self-help and how-to are welcome when the hook is strong.
Narrative nonfiction with a strong storytelling voice—particularly projects connected to wartime history—is on her radar. WWII is a named sub-interest. The writing quality and narrative drive matter as much as the subject; dry or purely academic treatments are unlikely to be the right fit.
Not the right fit
On Daniel's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Daniel
Use her online submission form and attach the first ten pages of your manuscript directly to the form—do not paste them in the body of a message.
She responds to all queries, so no need to follow up prematurely; patience is warranted.
Lead your query with a compelling hook and make the genre and tone crystal clear in the first sentence—dark, atmospheric, and romantically charged projects should own that identity up front.
If you are pitching romance, name your subgenre specifically (romantasy, horrormance, dark romance, historical romance) and call out the tropes in play—she is trope-aware and responds to precision.
For nonfiction, especially mind-body-spirit, don't self-reject if your project sits at the edge of her listed interests—she has explicitly invited broad queries in this space.
She takes an editorial approach and expects revision rounds; your query and sample pages should demonstrate voice and character depth, not just a polished premise.
Avoid framing your project as technology-driven, gore-heavy, or built primarily around miscommunication—these are the clearest signals of a mismatch.
Comps to authors like Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Rebecca Yarros, or Sarah J. Maas are likely to resonate if your manuscript genuinely shares their tone; use them precisely, not aspirationally.
Morally gray protagonists, flawed characters, and genuine villain energy are assets worth highlighting explicitly in your query letter.