Katie Gisondi is a relatively early-career agent at Laura Dail Literary Agency who hunts for commercially minded adult romance, romantasy, fantasy, and mystery — with a strong bias toward marginalized and underrepresented voices — alongside select picture books from author-illustrators.
In brief
Gisondi's submission form was directly observed as CLOSED on 2026-05-28 — verify before querying.
Their stated priorities cluster around adult romance/romantasy and adult fantasy with diversity at the center; the wishlist is unusually specific about monster romance, cozy fantasy, and BIPOC/Indigenous/Latinx/queer voices.
Named leading clients include Emma Theriault and Kalena Makanui, signaling a taste for commercial, character-driven fiction — cross-referencing those authors' work suggests a comfort zone at the intersection of romance, fantasy, and adventure.
Despite listing picture books as an interest, Gisondi only accepts them from author-illustrators — solo writers without art credentials should not query this category.
Gisondi explicitly rules out middle grade, YA, magical realism, speculative fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, and poetry — a notably long exclusion list that narrows the field to commercial adult fiction, adult nonfiction, and author-illustrator picture books.
Lately
Gisondi's wishlist explicitly calls out a desire for more Indigenous, Native American, and First Nations stories, alongside Latinx, disabled, chronically ill, and trans/nonbinary/queer voices — framing diversity not as a checkbox but as the lens through which all submissions are evaluated.
What Katie is looking for
Gisondi wants commercial romance with genuine heat and a high-concept hook. They're especially drawn to subverted tropes (grumpy/sunshine, hate-to-love, forced proximity reimagined in fresh ways), paranormal romance featuring monsters of all kinds, and genre crossovers — think mystery-romance hybrids, small-town romance with magical elements, or holiday settings with a fantastical twist. Spice is welcomed and encouraged. Same-sex romance and steamy rom-coms are specifically flagged as desirable.
This is where Gisondi's enthusiasm is loudest. They want romantasy in virtually any form, with a strong preference for intricate and original world-building, distinct magic systems that don't lean on prophecy as a plot engine, and fantasy worlds rooted in underrepresented or non-Western mythologies. Fresh takes on classic creatures (vampires, werewolves, witches) and entirely new ones are both welcome. Gothic, dark academia, and light academia aesthetics land well here.
Gisondi is open to cozy, lower-stakes fantasy with a sense of adventure, as well as darker gothic fantasy and fantasy drawing on underrepresented cultural traditions — African, Indigenous, and AAPI mythologies are all specifically mentioned. Strong character development is non-negotiable. Prophecy-driven plots that telegraph the ending are a turn-off.
Gisondi is attracted to mysteries built around unusual settings and protagonists who stand apart from the typical detective archetype. Found family dynamics within ensemble casts are a plus. Locked-room puzzles and cozy mysteries both fit. BIPOC protagonists and underrepresented-voice perspectives are a recurring priority across all mystery submissions.
Gisondi will consider adult sci-fi, but only when it is highly commercial and accessible. A romance thread woven into the narrative significantly raises the odds. Purely literary or hard-science approaches are not a fit.
Gisondi's nonfiction interests are specific: micro-histories (tightly focused narrative histories of a single object, event, or idea) and popular science with broad commercial appeal. Health, wellness, and LGBTQ nonfiction also appear in their stated interests. Cultural criticism and pop culture round out the range, but voice and hook must be as sharp as in fiction.
Gisondi accepts picture books exclusively from author-illustrators — writers who are not also providing the art should not query this category. Content interests include talking animals, sibling and family dynamics, stories that help children navigate big emotions and transitions, and genuinely funny text-and-art combinations. Grumpy Monkey is a named touchstone for tone and energy.
Like picture books, graphic novels are gated to author-illustrators. Submissions require a specific package: a summary, a sample script (10–50 pages), at least 10 pages of fully laid-out colored art, draft art pages, and character design mock-ups. An author letter is optional but permitted.
Not the right fit
On Katie's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Katie
Check the live submission form before doing anything else — the form was confirmed closed in late May 2026; query windows may open and close without announcement.
Gisondi accepts submissions only through the agency's online form. Do not reach out via email, social media, phone, or post — any submission through those channels will be ignored.
Lead your query letter with your protagonist's identity and the marginalized or underrepresented perspective your book centers; Gisondi has made diversity a gating priority, not an afterthought.
For adult romantasy or romance, name the trope you're working with and immediately show how you've subverted or complicated it — Gisondi is drawn to familiar frameworks made fresh, not pure novelty for its own sake.
Avoid prophecy-driven plots in fantasy submissions; Gisondi has flagged this as a specific dislike.
If submitting a picture book or graphic novel, confirm you are the illustrator as well as the writer — solo authors will be declined regardless of content quality.
Graphic novel submissions require a very specific package (script pages, colored art, draft art, character designs); assemble all components before querying.
Comp titles should be recent, commercial, and ideally from the romantasy/monster-romance/cozy-fantasy space — touchstones like The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches or Heated Rivalry signal you understand Gisondi's taste.
Keep the query voice as distinct and lively as the manuscript itself — Gisondi cites 'clear, distinct voice' as a top filter at the query stage.