JU

Jennifer Udden

Laura Dail Literary Agency
Open to queries · confirmed 1mo agoPicture Book

What they’re looking for

From their profile

I am only seeking adult fiction at this time. I am also not the best fit for a fantasy novel with a teenage protagonist, or any novel with a child narrator. I’ve been a reader of fanfiction for a long time, so I’m very open to hearing from authors who are looking to make the jump from AO3 to the NYT, whether it’s filing the serial numbers or working on original projects. Mysteries & Thrillers would love an unusual structure: an unreliable narrator or playing with the form (ex: the epistolary/mixed media structure of THE MYSTERIOUS CASDE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS) a cross-genre element: scifi or fantasy setting, or a contemporary paranormal element would be fun to see. cozy, especially if it has a cross-genre element as above. I’d love to see a werewolf solving crime in a small town would love an adult version of the TRULY DEVIOUS books by Maureen Johnson Romance a mystery or romantic suspense twist: think FINLEY DONOVAN IS NOT OK or THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR love a high spice level. it doesn’t have to be off-the-charts, but I like to see some physical consummation open to why-choose (MMF, MMFM, etc.) especially if it has a genre twist or an unusual setting sports, but make it stressful – think FOXHOLE COURT unusual, high-concept setting: a historical combat class, a SCA group, a fandom community (think SPOILER ALERT) hitorical-with-a-twist: fantasy, mystery, etc. The dream would be THE DEVIL IN WINTER with some kind of magic element, or something along the lines of THE EX HEX dark romance with intense relationships and high spice: age gaps, boyfriend’s dad, stepbrothers etc Fantasy standout, fully-realized worldbuilding, like I could sail off in any direction and find a story cozy fantasy with a menacing edge — think the body count of “Midsomer Murders” or Robert Jackson Bennett’s SHADOW OF THE LEVIATHAN series. another example is the intense, ritualized domesticity and politicking of THE GOBLIN EMPEROR character-driven with voices I can’t stop thinking about. Thinking of the gargoyle character in THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH love a romantic element but in romantasy has to have strong worldbuilding and a strong romance throughline Scifi extremely commercial and high-concept as always, a cross-genre element: think WINTER’S ORBIT (arranged marriage in space) or SIX WAKES (locked room murder mystery, in space) something that makes me feel like I’m reading ALL SYSTEMS RED for the first time Literary & Upmarket twists on familiar concepts like THE COMPOUND twisty, big-tent multi POV novels like GOD OF THE WOODS dying for something set in the world of New York media from the 40s to the heydays of the early aughts, with the feel of RULES OF CIVILITY by Amor Towles or Tina Brown’s THE VANITY FAIR DIARIES historical fiction that looks at unfamiliar experiences from more familiar areas of history – think WOMEN’S HOTEL Other Open to horror but very select: has to have a stsrong hook and an unusual twist I’m not particularly interested in stories about evil AI (or, really, AI in general) once again: no YA, no MG, no picture books or chapter books

Fun facts about me

My dog is named after the detective(s) in Midsomer Murders I studied Mandarin Chinese for four years and spent six months in Beijing. I also speak semi-terrible French. I’m originally from Houston, Texas, and am allergic to horses I am learning how to play ice hockey (badly) Submission Guidelines LDLA only accepts submissions through. Any submission emailed directly to my work email without a prearranged referral will be deleted. Submissions must include: query letter, synopsis, and first ten pages of novel, pasted into the form. Guidelines & Details,,,,,, Vital Info judden@ @suddenlyjen @suddenlyjen Website Agent

Favorite sub-genres

#ownvoices, #wndb, 1800s+ historical, AAPI Fantasy, AAPI Horror, AAPI Sci-Fi, Accessible Literary Fiction, Action-Adventure, Adult Horror, Adult Rom Com, Adult Romantasy, Adult SFF, Adventure, African Diaspora,