Madelyn Knecht is a Texas-based associate agent at Storm Literary Agency who specializes in queer, character-driven speculative fiction for Young Adult and Adult readers — with a particular hunger for dark, funny, layered fantasy and horror that makes her feel everything at once.
In brief
Her agency page and submission guidelines make her priorities unmistakable: queer fantasy and horror, for both YA and Adult, with strong character arcs and a commercial voice that still has literary polish — this is the throughline of everything she wants.
She opens to queries only during the first week of each month — timing your submission precisely is not optional, it is a hard gate.
Her named favorite authors (V.E. Schwab, Aiden Thomas, F.T. Lukens, Freya Marske, Liselle Sambury) are a reliable map of her taste: morally complex characters, lush world-building, queer leads, and emotional gut-punches wrapped in propulsive plots.
Middle Grade is explicitly her most selective category — she has narrow requirements and a clear aesthetic preference, so MG writers should query with caution and a tight fit.
She created the BIPOC Editor Mentorship through RevPit and explicitly lists BIPOC authors and non-Western settings as top wishlist priorities — this is a structural commitment, not a passing preference.
Lately
I had an amazing time this past weekend taking pitches for Writing Away Refuge (my spots were completely booked! wow!!), and want to share some advice for pitching your book to agents (or editors) in person or on Zoom: #writersky #amquerying #writingcommunity
Reminder that I’m taking pitches this weekend!! It’s filling up, so book asap: www.writingawayrefuge.com/copy-of-writ... #writersky #querying #writingcommunity
Reminder that I'm open for queries for an extra week! querytracker.net/query/Madely... More about what I'm looking for 🧵#writingcommunity #writersky
When you're debating between more than one agent at an agency to submit to, what is your deciding factor? Is there anything agents can do to make it easier? #amwriting #amquerying #writersky
Hi #QueerPit! If I ❤️ your pitch, please submit here: QueryTracker.net/query/Madely...
Knecht publicly reminded writers that she reopens to queries at the start of each month — specifically flagging the first week as her submission window — and pointed to her agency page for full details on what she is currently seeking.
What Madelyn is looking for
Fantasy of any subgenre, with queer romance as a strong draw — though she notes the romance does not have to be full romantasy. She wants elaborate, immersive worlds built with non-Western history, settings, and magic systems. Commercial pacing is essential, but writing should have genuine craft and a lyrical quality. The fastest path to a yes is deep, emotionally resonant character arcs paired with a plot that keeps her guessing.
Horror of all kinds, with a particular love for work that embeds sharp social or political commentary — the kind that lingers in the reader's mind for days. She is drawn to female rage narratives, women-supporting-women dynamics, and unreliable narrators. Dry, deadpan, or banter-based humor threaded through horror is welcome; she specifically cites a Shaun of the Dead sensibility over absurdist comedy. Worlds that are either irresistibly inviting or genuinely terrifying — nothing in between.
Queer fantasy with romance is her top YA priority. She wants authentic teen voices and emotional honesty. Dark academia that breaks from the familiar mold, murder mystery with a speculative layer, and the collision of contemporary digital culture with magic (she cites KPop demon hunters as a direct example of the kind of mashup that excites her) all stand out as specific wants. Anxiety representation handled with care is also on her list.
Twisty psychological horror and speculative murder mysteries with a genuine YA sensibility. She wants the kind of dread that builds behind the eyes — books she has to read with her hands half-covering her face. Social commentary woven into the horror is a particular draw here, as it is on the Adult side.
She is openly selective here and approaches MG with a narrower lens than her other categories. She is not drawn to heavy toilet humor. Her specific interests are fast-paced, heart-pounding fantasy and exciting adventure — she mentions a love for choose-your-own-adventure structures. She is especially interested in books aimed at boys that model and encourage empathy. Writers should query MG only with a very precise fit.
Light science fiction and broader speculative fiction are within her scope, though fantasy is clearly her center of gravity. The same core requirements apply: strong voice, queer representation welcomed, layered world-building, and commercial momentum. 'Light' is the operative word on the sci-fi side — hard SF is unlikely to be a match.
Not the right fit
On Madelyn's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Madelyn
Submit only during the first week of the month — her form opens and closes on that monthly cycle, and submitting outside that window will not work regardless of how strong your project is.
Lead with character. Her guidelines and every named favorite signal that emotional depth and a transformative character arc are her single biggest draw — your query letter should make the protagonist's internal journey as vivid as the plot.
Name the queerness explicitly and early. Queer stories are at the top of her list; if your book has queer leads or romance, put that in the opening paragraph, not buried at the end.
If your book draws on non-Western history, mythology, or magic systems, say so clearly — she has flagged this as a specific gap she wants to fill and it will immediately differentiate your submission.
Match her humor register carefully. She distinguishes between dry/deadpan banter (yes) and absurdist comedy (no). If your book is funny, describe the type of humor — a comp like Shaun of the Dead signals she understands tonal nuance.
For horror, articulate the social commentary layer. She doesn't just want scary; she wants horror that provokes sustained thought about real-world dynamics. Name the thematic argument your horror is making.
For Middle Grade, explicitly address why your book is not a match for her stated dislikes (toilet humor) and why it fits her narrow wish: empathy-building for boys, or genuinely fast-paced adventure. MG writers should make the case tightly.
BIPOC authors are explicitly invited and elevated on her wishlist — this is not a casual note but a structural priority backed by her RevPit work.
Her agency page is the authoritative source for submission requirements; double-check it immediately before your target window opens, as details may be updated.