Devin Ross is a New Leaf Literary & Media agent hunting for character-driven, conceptually surprising fiction across YA, MG, adult romance, women's fiction, and fantasy — with a particular passion for diverse voices, magical realism, and stories that make her laugh and cry in equal measure.
In brief
Devin's wishlist spans a wide range — YA, MG (selective), adult fiction, and nonfiction — but her core identity is as a champion of diverse, underrepresented voices across every category she touches.
She explicitly wants romance written for millennials and is drawn to contemporary stories exploring the pressures young women face to conform; writers with that lived angle should lead with it in their pitch.
Fantasy is a genuine priority, not a side interest — she names all types and specifically calls out magical realism that probes emotion, psychology, or trauma; this depth of enthusiasm is rare and worth noting.
Despite listing science fiction among her general interests in older materials, her current wishlist explicitly states she is NOT seeking it — do not pitch sci-fi.
Nonfiction interests are genuinely eclectic (whiskey, astrology, 90s music, fandom, pop science) rather than strategically broad; a well-matched nonfiction pitch in one of those specific lanes may face less competition than a fiction submission.
Lately
Her wishlist makes clear that representing diverse and underrepresented voices is not a checkbox but an active, ongoing priority across every category — she emphasizes this point explicitly and separately from any single genre.
What Devin is looking for
Her primary children's focus. She wants commercial, plot-driven YA with a strong, distinctive voice and crossover appeal — stories that push against convention and center underrepresented perspectives. Contemporary YA that delivers both emotional gut-punches and genuine laughs is especially welcome. She is also drawn to YA fantasy and YA thrillers that hook from the opening page, with the latter rewarding the reader with unexpected, shocking twists.
She takes MG on a selective basis only; it is not her primary focus within children's. Writers should have a project that stands out distinctly — a project that's just 'solid MG' is unlikely to rise to the top. Strong voice and a compelling hook are non-negotiable here just as in YA.
She is drawn to fiction that is conceptually unusual — peculiar, eccentric, character-driven work that doesn't fit neatly into an existing box. The sweet spot is commercial or upmarket, not purely literary. Books that transport her into a fully realized world, or reframe her own, are exactly what she's after. Strong authorial voice is essential.
Contemporary romance with a fresh, specific hook is a clear priority. She describes herself as a 'secret hopeless romantic,' and that affection shows in the specificity of her wishlist: she wants romance aimed at millennial readers, stories told by diverse voices, and narratives that grapple with the real pressures young women face in navigating societal expectations. Upbeat women's fiction and romantic comedies are equally welcome. Diverse and underrepresented authorial perspectives are actively sought in this category.
She names all types of fantasy as appealing — high fantasy, epic fantasy, and beyond — with a particular pull toward magical realism. Her most specific articulation: magical realism that uses the fantastical as a lens for examining emotion, psychological experience, or trauma. This is not a casual interest; the specificity of her framing suggests she has a clear editorial vision for what she wants in this space.
Eclectic is the right word. Her stated interests include: complex science explained accessibly for general readers, whiskey and craft beer/home brewing, fandom, self-care, millennial-focused topics (from a millennial perspective, not a hand-wringing outsider one), astrology, spirituality that isn't tied to a specific religion, old and historic theaters, 90s music, and humor. Humor runs as a thread across many of these. A strong narrative or personality-driven voice will go further than a dry, instructional approach.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Devin
Send your query to query@newleafliterary.com — the subject line must read 'Query, Devin Ross' and must also include the category (e.g., 'Query, Devin Ross – YA Fantasy').
You may paste up to five double-spaced sample pages directly into the body of the email. Do not attach a document unless she specifically requests one.
Do not query by phone.
You will receive an automated reply confirming receipt; a substantive response comes only if she is interested in seeing more.
If pitching romance or women's fiction, make the millennial perspective and the specific hook immediately clear — she is not looking for a generic love story, and a query that buries the hook will lose her fast.
If pitching magical realism, name the emotional or psychological territory the magic is exploring — she is drawn to magical realism with a clear thematic purpose, not just an atmospheric setting.
Nonfiction queriers: match one of her named specific interests as precisely as possible and signal your own expertise or unique access to the subject in the first paragraph.
Diverse and underrepresented voices: she flags this as an active pursuit, not a passive openness — don't bury that context if it's part of your story's identity.
Verify her current open/closed status directly via the New Leaf Literary & Media website before submitting — cached status information may be outdated.