Jackie Kruzie is an associate agent at Focused Artists with a librarian's soul — she hunts for witchy speculative fiction, cozy mysteries with series legs, and children's books that turn kids into lifelong readers.
In brief
Her confirmed deal record skews children's — both publicly documented sales are picture books (TRUCKS ALL THROUGH THE YEAR and TURKEY ON THE RUN), signaling that her children's list is where she has the most active traction, even as her stated wishlist spans a wide adult-fiction range.
She is a former acquisitions editor for a STEM-focused indie children's press and holds a Master of Library Science; these two credentials make her an unusually well-informed advocate for picture books and early-reader titles.
Submission is currently closed as of the last direct check, but she has publicly signaled a planned short opening window in early 2026 — writers should watch for that specific announcement rather than querying now.
Her taste in adult fiction is strongly shaped by a personal reading list heavy on atmospheric, library-adjacent women's fiction and witch-centered paranormal — think cozy-spooky crossovers rather than epic fantasy.
She has a clear gate on YA: she describes her YA list as intentionally limited and explicitly rules out dystopian chosen-one narratives, so genre YA writers should note the narrow lane before querying.
Lately
She posted a public update noting changes to her submission situation, referencing her current intake constraints and outlook for upcoming availability.
What Jackie is looking for
Her clearest passion in adult fiction. She wants grounded, character-driven stories where protagonists with unusual abilities are forced to hide them while fighting injustice in a world that fears difference. Witches are a strong draw; vampires and werewolves are not. A supernatural or magical element woven into a Western setting is explicitly on her wish list — she cites Lonesome Dove as a formative favorite and would love to see that landscape with a fantastical layer.
Dual-timeline structures that show how past events reverberate into the present are a particular draw. A romantic thread woven organically through the narrative is welcomed and strengthens the submission. She gravitates toward atmospheric historical settings rather than action-driven plots.
She explicitly wants a cozy mystery series — recurring characters whose world evolves across books while individual mysteries resolve per installment. She cites Agatha Christie's Miss Marple model as the ideal template. The Tate and Bell Mystery series reflects the kind of continuing-character cozy she responds to.
Warmly welcomed, particularly when the narrative features a strong sense of place, a romantic undercurrent, or library and bookshop settings (she has noted a personal affection for library-set stories). LGBTQ+ main characters in normalized, non-issue-driven storylines are actively encouraged.
She welcomes fantasy with strong romantic threads and cozy fantasy with a witchy or supernatural flavor. The romance should develop gradually and feel earned rather than instalove. This sits at the intersection of her speculative and romance preferences.
Adult horror is on her list, with a probable lean toward atmospheric, haunting-focused, or gothic-adjacent horror given her broader taste profile — she gravitates toward Darcy Coats and Wendy Webb, authors associated with haunted and gothic suspense rather than extreme horror.
Her deal record confirms this is her most active children's category. She wants punchy, fast-paced, kid-centered texts with humor and heart — word counts under 600, short sentences, and read-aloud rhythm. She is a former children's librarian and thinks explicitly in terms of storytime suitability. She is not a fit for new-baby or new-pet books. She specifically calls out a gap she'd love to fill: picture books featuring a modern grandparent that challenges age-related stereotypes.
She wants MG that puts the child protagonist firmly in control of the story — mysteries, magic, time travel, and fun-driven adventures that make kids want to keep reading. The north star is creating lifelong readers, not delivering lessons.
Her YA list is intentionally limited. She seeks stories that speak to teens who feel overlooked or invisible, and she welcomes difficult subject matter handled with authenticity. She is not the right fit for dystopian narratives built around a teenage chosen one tasked with world-saving. LGBTQ+ main characters in non-scrutinized, normalized settings are actively wanted.
She takes chapter books but flags that the category is commercially challenging. Submissions must demonstrate precise grade-level prose, appropriate sentence complexity, and space for limited illustration. Writers should have a clear sense of where their book lands in the marketplace before querying this category.
Not the right fit
On Jackie's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Jackie
She is currently closed to general queries; she is accepting submissions only via writing conferences and pitch events. Do not cold-query until she announces her early-2026 open window — watch her public channels for that announcement.
When the window opens, lead your query letter with the genre and a clear sense of your book's tone. Given her librarian background, framing that evokes storytime potential (for children's) or book-club conversation value (for adult fiction) will resonate.
For adult speculative and paranormal projects: name your supernatural element early and clarify that it is witch-adjacent rather than vampire/werewolf — she has explicitly flagged that distinction. If abilities are hidden or secret, say so.
For picture books: include word count in your query. She has a clear ceiling of 600 words and thinks in read-aloud terms — if your text is punchy and rhythmic, make that apparent.
If submitting children's nonfiction (the one nonfiction category she will consider at all), attach backmatter with your submission — she has specifically requested it.
Series potential is a plus for adult cozy mysteries — if your mystery features recurring characters, flag that structure explicitly.
LGBTQ+ main characters in normalized settings are actively sought; if your work features this, name it clearly in your query.
Do not query her YA unless your manuscript explicitly avoids the dystopian chosen-one template — she has ruled this out by name.