DongWon Song is a Brooklyn-based agent at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency with deep editorial roots, representing science fiction, fantasy, and select nonfiction for adult, YA, and middle-grade readers — with a particular reputation in speculative fiction.
In brief
DongWon's background as an editor at Orbit (a premier SF/F imprint) and as a former ebook product manager gives them unusually broad publishing-industry fluency — they understand both the craft and the commercial machinery behind a book.
Their public profile and stated interests span a wide swath of speculative fiction, but the October 2025 submission window specified adult epic fantasy and horror only — a notably narrow slice compared to their usual broad mandate. Writers should take that signal seriously.
DongWon is co-host of the long-running Writing Excuses podcast and publishes a newsletter called 'Publishing is Hard,' making them one of the more publicly accessible and educationally oriented agents working in SF/F today.
They are Korean-American, trans, and nonbinary — identity and lived experience likely inform their taste; diverse, underrepresented voices in speculative fiction are a reasonable inference as valued, though writers should not assume this substitutes for strong craft.
Submissions are currently CLOSED as of October 6, 2025, overriding a brief open window announced October 2. Confirm the live form status before querying.
Lately
DongWon announced they were opening to unsolicited queries for the first time in a long while, specifying they were only seeking adult epic fantasy and horror, with guidelines available on their personal website.
What DongWon is looking for
During their most recent open window, adult epic fantasy was one of only two categories DongWon explicitly invited — a strong signal of active, prioritized interest. Given their Orbit editorial background, they bring real commercial and craft expertise to this space. Expect them to want ambitious world-building paired with character-driven storytelling.
Horror was the other category named in their October 2025 open window, placing it at equal priority with epic fantasy. This is a notable pairing — writers with projects that blend horror and dark fantasy may find this a strong fit.
DongWon's agency page identifies science fiction across age categories as part of their broader list. This reflects their general practice outside targeted submission windows — during open periods with specific category restrictions, SF may not be invited. Confirm current guidelines carefully.
Fantasy for younger readers is part of their stated list on their agency bio, though it was not among the categories specified during the most recent open window. Likely welcomed in general open periods but not a current stated priority.
DongWon takes nonfiction selectively — their agency bio mentions it, but it receives no elaboration or emphasis. Only query nonfiction if it has a clear intersection with their speculative fiction world, and only when the submission form explicitly welcomes it.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query DongWon
Check the live submission form before doing anything else — this agent's open windows appear brief and category-specific. Submitting when closed wastes both parties' time.
When a window is open, respect the stated category restrictions exactly. The most recent window was adult epic fantasy and horror only — not all SF/F, not YA, not nonfiction.
DongWon is a co-host of Writing Excuses and publishes the 'Publishing is Hard' newsletter. Consuming this public work will give you a genuine sense of their editorial sensibility and the language they use to talk about craft and publishing — reference it naturally, not as flattery.
Their Orbit editorial background means they have strong opinions about commercial SF/F craft. Lead with what makes your book's world and stakes distinctive, not just its thematic resonance.
They are Korean-American, trans, and nonbinary. Authentic representation matters — do not manufacture diversity signaling, but do write honestly about your book's characters and perspective.
Follow the submission guidelines on their personal website, which are the authoritative and most current source for format and materials required.
Personalize your query by engaging with their actual editorial taste — not just 'I think you'd like this' but a specific reason grounded in the kind of books they champion.