Devanshi Sharma is an assistant editor and agent at White Arrow Books with a sweeping appetite for BIPOC, diaspora, and speculative fiction — anchored by a deep commitment to hope-driven protagonists, found-family dynamics, and the intersection of geopolitics with storytelling.
In brief
Sharma's wishlist is extraordinarily broad on paper, but the clearest editorial throughline is BIPOC and diaspora SFF — South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian, African, and Latinx speculative fiction appear to be genuine priorities, not afterthoughts.
The explicit call-out of Alizeh from 'This Woven Kingdom' as a protagonist ideal signals a strong preference for lyrical, high-concept fantasy with quietly defiant, kind-hearted leads — not grimdark or antihero-driven narratives.
Faith-based fiction, particularly Christian romance and contemporary inspirational romance, is a stated interest that stands out as unusually specific for an SFF-leaning agent — writers in that lane have a real opening here.
No confirmed deal record is available to cross-reference stated interests against actual sales, so the wishlist is the primary signal; treat the breadth as genuine openness rather than confirmed commercial track record.
Sharma is themselves a writer, which typically translates to strong craft feedback and particular sensitivity to voice, subplot architecture, and worldbuilding texture — a potential advantage for writers who foreground those elements.
Lately
Sharma has publicly described a strong editorial affinity for protagonists who choose kindness deliberately in hostile environments — citing Alizeh from a well-known AAPI fantasy novel as the ideal example — and has framed this as an active, ongoing search priority rather than a passing preference.
What Devanshi is looking for
This is the clearest high-priority lane in Sharma's profile. South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian, African, and Latinx fantasy, science fiction, and speculative literary fiction are all explicitly welcomed. Ownvoices perspectives are especially valued. The interest extends across the spectrum from cozy fantasy to epic high fantasy to hard science fiction, with diaspora experience and cultural specificity treated as features, not just flavor.
YA is a clear priority. Sharma is specifically drawn to protagonists who are deliberately, actively kind in worlds that punish them for it — the 'hope-core' framing is intentional and specific. High-concept YA, commercial YA, YA fantasy, YA historical fiction, YA magical realism, and YA science fiction are all in scope. LGBTQ+ YA and YA with neurodiversity and disability representation are also welcomed. The emphasis is on voice-driven, emotionally layered stories with protagonists readers can root for.
Adult romantasy and fantasy romance appear as specific sub-genre callouts, consistent with broader market trends Sharma appears to be leaning into. Christian romance and contemporary inspirational romance are explicitly named — a notably specific faith-based lane within this broader category. Subplot romances woven through larger worldbuilding resonate personally with Sharma, who cites their own writing practice as rooted in that structure.
Sharma cites Edward Said as a formative nonfiction influence and names a genuine, ongoing interest in how geopolitics intersects with culture and literature. Cultural criticism, postcolonial perspectives, feminism, pop culture analysis, and current events nonfiction are all listed. This is a sincere intellectual interest, not a token category — but the sales record doesn't yet confirm nonfiction as a primary commercial lane, so pitch with that in mind.
Sharma's SFF enthusiasm extends well into science fiction territory: cyberpunk, solarpunk, climate fiction, military sci-fi, hard SF, character-driven SF, Indigenous futurism, and AI-focused speculative fiction are all explicitly named. The common thread across these sub-genres appears to be conceptual ambition paired with human stakes — Sharma is not looking for cold, idea-only SF, but work where the speculative element illuminates something about people and cultures.
Historical fiction with BIPOC characters, classic retellings centered on marginalized voices, historical women's fiction, historical romance, and historical mysteries are all in scope. Sharma appears particularly interested in retellings and historical narratives that de-center the traditional Western or Eurocentric perspective.
Women's fiction, multigenerational stories, epistolary novels, multiple-POV narratives, books about books, and speculative literary fiction all appear in Sharma's profile. Found family is listed as their single top-favorite trope, and complex sibling relationships are a named personal enthusiasm — stories structured around those dynamics will resonate regardless of genre.
Self-help for teens and strategy or life-skills books for teens are explicitly included, which is an uncommon and specific nonfiction callout for an agent whose list skews fiction-heavy. This is likely a selective opening — the bar is probably high, and a strong platform or concept would matter.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Devanshi
Send to devanshi.sharma@prakashbooks.com with the exact subject line format: QUERY: [Project Title] by [Your Full Name] — deviation from this format may result in your query being missed.
Collate all submission materials into a single Word document in 12-point Times New Roman. Sharma's guidelines are unusually specific about formatting, and following them signals professionalism.
The Word document should include: a short author bio (with social media handles if applicable), title and tentative word count, genre/age category/demographic details, a plot outline, a cast of characters, two sample chapters or excerpts, and comp titles.
In the email body itself, introduce yourself briefly and speak to your work and writing background — Sharma explicitly invites this personal note, so use it to establish voice and genuine connection, not just to summarize the manuscript.
Lead your pitch with your protagonist's emotional disposition, not just the plot premise. Sharma has named 'hope-core' as a defining quality they seek — a protagonist who is actively, deliberately kind in a difficult world. If that describes your lead, say so plainly.
Found family, complex sibling relationships, and subplot romance woven through larger worldbuilding are all named personal favorites. If any of these are structural elements of your book, surface them in the query — they function as taste-match signals for Sharma.
If your work involves the intersection of geopolitics, postcolonialism, or cultural identity with fiction or nonfiction narrative, name that intersection explicitly — Sharma cites it as a deep ongoing interest.
For faith-based or Christian romance submissions, note this explicitly in your genre/demographic details — it is a specific and uncommon interest that deserves clear flagging.
Confirm Sharma's current submission status before querying — the most recent available data does not include a confirmed open/closed state, and querying while closed wastes both your time and theirs.