Jonathan Villegas is a Literary Associate at Olswanger Literary who launched their list in 2025, hunting for culturally rooted, genre-blending adult fiction and nonfiction that centers diverse—especially LGBT+, Latino/Hispanic, and Asian—voices.
In brief
Brand-new list: Villegas began building their client roster in 2025, which means they have no confirmed public sales record yet — but also means they are actively seeking manuscripts and building from scratch.
Genre-blending is not optional: Villegas explicitly states that writers who work in only one genre are not the right fit. The pitch sweet spot is two or three overlapping genres (e.g., historical magical realism with a mystery thread).
The identity of the writer matters as much as the manuscript: Villegas is specifically seeking diverse authors — LGBT+, Latino/Hispanic, Asian, African, and diaspora voices — though allies are welcomed as well.
Submission status has been listed as CLOSED, with a clear warning that emails sent while closed will be deleted. Confirm current status before querying — do not assume open.
Villegas is bilingual (English and Spanish) and works with Spanish-speaking clients directly, making them a rare resource for Latin American–focused or Spanish-language-adjacent projects.
Lately
Villegas opened their wishlist profile noting that they started building their list in 2025 and are a Literary Associate at Olswanger Literary — signaling this is a genuinely new list, not a repositioned one.
What Jonathan is looking for
Villegas's primary focus is adult fiction that deliberately lives between literary and commercial fiction — prose that is artistically crafted but propelled by a plot with commercial appeal. The narrative must do more than entertain: it should explore philosophical or psychological depth, intersect with history and culture, and carry a teachable theme. Crucially, it must blend at least two genres — standalone single-genre work is a stated non-starter. The preferred palette includes magical realism, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and romance, ideally in combination. LGBT+ mystery and thriller are especially welcome. Light horror or thriller as a flavor element within these genres is fine; horror or political/procedural thriller as the primary mode is not.
Villegas gravitates toward fiction that occupies the upmarket speculative space: think literary sensibility in a speculative frame. Multigenerational narratives, portal fantasy, urban fantasy, historical fantasy, African fantasy, and Caribbean literature all fall within scope. Cyberpunk is also on the list. The connecting thread is cultural rootedness and fresh concept — Villegas wants stories that bring something genuinely new rather than replicating familiar templates.
Contemporary romance, romantic comedy, LGBTQ+ rom-coms, and romantasy are all welcome. The same diversity-of-voice expectation applies. Romance that blends with historical, speculative, or literary elements aligns best with Villegas's broader taste.
On the nonfiction side, Villegas welcomes works covering history, pop culture, lifestyle, wellness, psychology, and spirituality — including esoteric subjects such as tarot, astrology, and witchcraft. Projects with a specific focus on Asia or Latin America are particularly appealing. Biography and LGBTQ+ nonfiction also fall within scope.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Jonathan
Confirm open/closed status before sending anything. Villegas has stated unambiguously that emails received while closed are deleted — there is no safety net.
Lead with your genre blend, not a single genre label. The query letter should immediately communicate that the manuscript operates across two or more of the preferred genres (e.g., 'a historical magical realism novel with a mystery underpinning').
Identify yourself and your background early. Villegas is specifically seeking diverse voices — LGBT+, Latino/Hispanic, Asian, African, diaspora — and the author's perspective and lived experience are part of what they are evaluating.
Demonstrate range and collaborative spirit. Villegas explicitly screens for writers willing to revise and work collaboratively over the long term. A brief note about your revision process or openness to editorial partnership can set you apart.
If your project is set in or deeply engaged with Latin America or Asia, say so clearly — these are stated areas of heightened interest for nonfiction and resonate with Villegas's own cultural roots.
Check Instagram (@caribbean_lit_associate) for the most current, detailed submission guidelines before drafting your query — formatting and material requirements are posted there.