Marina Green is a Toronto-based associate agent at P.S. Literary Agency with a rare editorial pedigree—Big 5 acquiring editor turned agent—hunting for atmospheric, voice-driven fiction with cultural depth and non-fiction that lives at the intersection of nature, spirit, and identity.
In brief
Marina's editorial background—indie press in Montréal, then Harlequin Trade as an acquiring editor—means she reads with a developmental eye and is drawn to manuscripts that are already thinking about the market.
Her category list skews heavily toward BIPOC, diaspora, and LGBTQ+ voices across every genre; these are not add-ons but the organizing logic of her entire list.
She is openly enthusiastic about speculative, horror, and genre-hybrid fiction but is explicitly selective on romantasy—she will look, but only at standout submissions in a market she considers saturated.
On the non-fiction side, her taste is unusually specific: self-help/spirituality/occult, nature memoir (especially through an Indigenous lens), and crafts/woo-woo adjacent content—a niche that few agents combine, suggesting real acquisition hunger there.
Her background as a longtime bookseller before becoming an editor and then agent gives her a commercial instinct for what readers actually buy—writers should frame their work with a clear readership and hook, not just literary ambition.
Lately
Marina has publicly described her horror ideal as something in the spirit of A24 cinema—meaning she wants dread, beauty, and emotional resonance in the horror space, not simply scares or gore.
What Marina is looking for
Marina's deepest enthusiasm lives here. She wants speculative fiction that feels atmospheric and immersive, and she is especially drawn to genre hybrids—horror-romance, speculative thriller, gothic fantasy—where the category collision creates something genuinely fresh. The horror she is most excited about has the aesthetic sensibility of A24 films: slow-burn dread, emotional weight, and a commitment to craft over shock. Big hooks are a must; she is not interested in quiet, underpowered premises.
She looks for literary fiction that actively tests the limits of form and genre rather than sitting comfortably within them. Accessible literary-commercial crossovers with a high-concept premise are a particular draw. Stories rooted in diaspora, cultural identity, and belonging thread through everything she wants here.
For mysteries and thrillers, atmosphere and interiority matter as much as plot mechanics. She gravitates toward unreliable-narrator structures, stories that are psychologically destabilizing, and slow-burn suspense that builds quietly rather than exploding early. BIPOC-centered crime fiction and domestic suspense with diverse protagonists are a stated priority.
She wants fantasy grounded in myth and folklore—particularly traditions outside the Western European canon. African, Asian, Latine, and Indigenous mythologies are explicit areas of interest. Unique magic systems and strong character work are non-negotiable. Romantasy is welcome but must demonstrably stand apart from a crowded market; a standout hook and fresh execution are required, not optional.
She is drawn to romance that carries genuine emotional stakes and has something meaningful to say—not just escapism, but books with a point of view. Unconventional structural or tonal approaches to the genre appeal to her. LGBTQ+ romance and historical rom-coms are noted areas of appetite.
She actively acquires YA across the speculative, horror, fantasy, humor, and contemporary romance lanes. The same priorities apply as in adult: diverse voices, cultural specificity, atmospheric prose, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. YA horror and YA fantasy (especially folklore-rooted) appear to be her strongest YA interests.
Marina is personally invested in this space—she describes herself as 'witchy' and is a devotee of what she calls 'the woo woo.' She wants self-help, spiritual practice, occult, tarot, astrology, and witchcraft non-fiction. This is a niche where her genuine enthusiasm is evident and where the market is strong; writers in this lane should query her with confidence.
She is actively seeking nature memoirs and nature-based non-fiction, with a particular and stated desire for work written through an Indigenous lens and engaging with Indigenous sciences. This specific combination—nature writing + Indigenous authorship—appears to be an underserved gap she genuinely wants to fill.
Her category listings include crafts/DIY, food writing, and travel non-fiction, likely reflecting her own eclectic creative interests (she makes paint from natural elements and is a certified makeup artist). These feel like passion-project acquisitions rather than the core of her list.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Marina
Send your query to the agency's general submissions address, not Marina's personal email. Format the subject line exactly as specified: 'Marina / BOOK TITLE / CREATOR NAME / GENRE'—deviating from this format is an easy way to get filtered out.
Lead your query letter with a sharp, specific hook. Marina comes from both bookselling and editorial; she reads quickly and commercially. If your book's concept isn't clear and compelling in the first paragraph, revise before sending.
Diaspora identity and cultural specificity are not optional extras for her—they are the organizing logic of her list. If your work centers a non-Western cultural tradition, myth system, or diasporic experience, name it explicitly and early in the query. Don't bury the lead.
For horror, use the A24 analogy as a gut-check before querying: does your manuscript have the slow-burn atmosphere, emotional depth, and aesthetic cohesion of that kind of film? If the answer is yes, lean into that framing.
For romantasy, you must address the saturation problem head-on. Her wishlist makes clear she will look, but she is skeptical. Explain in one to two sentences exactly what makes your book different from the current market—don't assume it speaks for itself.
For spiritual, occult, or nature non-fiction, specificity of premise matters enormously. She is personally enthusiastic about this space; what she needs from a query is evidence that you have real authority or lived experience in the subject—not just general interest.
She is a child of diaspora (Armenian heritage) and a self-described witchy, craft-oriented nature lover. These aren't just aesthetic footnotes—they tell you something about what will resonate with her as a reader. Personal, specific, and culturally grounded will outperform generic and universal every time.
Verify the submission window is still open by checking the live agency submission page before sending—status can change.