Kelly Peterson is a fiction-focused agent at Rees Literary Agency who champions voice-driven, world-building-rich stories across MG, YA, and Adult, with a particular passion for diverse and #OwnVoices narratives, rom-coms, and fantasy in all its forms.
In brief
Kelly Peterson's stated wishlist skews broad across MG/YA/Adult fiction, but the repeated emphasis on fantasy sub-genres and diverse contemporary YA signals where their deepest enthusiasm lives.
Peterson explicitly wants stories that offer escapism — books heavy on emotional trauma (depression, anxiety, assault as central subject matter) are a poor fit, even if those elements appear incidentally.
The client community is close-knit — Peterson describes their authors as family and runs a shared writing group, suggesting a high-touch, relationship-oriented agenting style that rewards authors who cultivate genuine rapport in their queries.
Submission materials must include a query letter, synopsis, and the first five pages pasted directly into the online form — plus a short author bio or quirky personal details; preparation and personality both matter here.
Query status was confirmed closed as of early February 2023; writers must verify the live form before submitting, as no more recent status signal is available.
Lately
Peterson's wishlist specifically calls out a desire for mythology drawn from cultures that are underrepresented in mainstream publishing — a signal that originality in world-building is not just aesthetic preference but a genuine editorial priority.
What Kelly is looking for
Peterson wants middle-grade stories with heart — adventures and contemporary narratives that tackle difficult but important subjects without tipping into pure emotional devastation. Strong world-building, quirky characters, and relatable pacing are the through-lines. Diverse and #OwnVoices perspectives are actively sought across all MG.
Every flavour of fantasy is welcome here, from high fantasy to steampunk to historical fantasy. Peterson has a specific appetite for ensemble casts of girls doing daring, physically extraordinary things (think adventure-and-action dynamics), for mythology drawn from under-represented cultures, and for magic systems and creatures that feel genuinely original. Strong female protagonists are a recurring requirement. A Harley Quinn-esque reimagining or retelling would land well.
Ghost-centric paranormal YA is a specific ask. On the historical side, Peterson is hunting for colonial-era fiction — survival narratives featuring resourceful, self-reliant young women feel like the sweet spot. Contemporary YA should lean heavily into humor and feature diverse, realistically drawn characters; rom-coms are especially welcome.
Futuristic science fiction set firmly on Earth or in grounded non-space environments. Peterson has repeated this preference clearly — space opera is not the target. Strong female leads and world-building that feels fresh rather than derivative are expected.
Adult speculative fiction is welcomed, particularly when it pairs imaginative world-building with the same voice-driven energy Peterson prizes in YA. Genre blends — such as historical fantasy or sci-fi romance — are fair game.
Peterson has called out several specific flavours with obvious enthusiasm: cowboy romance, romance featuring geeky or entrepreneurial leads, and sports romance. Historical romance is also actively sought. The common denominator appears to be chemistry, wit, and a fun escapist tone — this is not the place for brooding, trauma-heavy love stories.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Kelly
The form requires four things pasted in directly: a query letter, a synopsis, the first five pages of your manuscript, and a short author bio or personal details — have all four ready before you open the form.
If you don't have publishing credits or other traditional bio material, lead with something personal and specific: a shared hobby, an unusual skill, a genuine detail. Peterson responds to writers who come across as real, curious human beings rather than polished press releases.
Lean into your own identity and lived experience: Peterson actively seeks #OwnVoices authors and diversity-forward narratives; if your story draws on your own background or community, name that in your query.
Match the energy Peterson projects — humor, warmth, and a sense of adventure. A dry, purely professional query tone may undersell the voice-driven fiction Peterson is hunting for.
For fantasy submissions, be precise about your magic system, world mythology, and cultural inspirations in the query itself — vague gestures toward 'a unique world' will not stand out; specifics will.
For adult romance, name your sub-genre clearly (cowboy, sports, historical, etc.) in the first paragraph; Peterson has strong preferences within romance and will want to know immediately where your book sits.
Confirm the submission form is open before querying — status was confirmed closed as of early 2023 and no later update is available. Submitting to a closed form wastes your query opportunity.
Do not email queries to the business address (kelly@reesagency.com); that inbox is explicitly for existing business only. Use the form exclusively.