Matthew Valdez is a genre-fiction-focused agent at Megibow Literary Agency who champions LGBTQ+ and marginalized voices across adult fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and romance — with a high-school English teacher's instinct for narrative and a deep roots in YA.
In brief
As of his Spring 2026 wishlist update, Matthew explicitly narrowed his focus to genre fiction only — Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Romance — dropping the broader YA-and-contemporary scope he was once associated with. Writers querying anything outside those four buckets should wait for a future update before submitting.
He operates a deliberately restricted query window (the 15th through the end of each month, starting January 2026), which means timing your submission matters as much as the pitch itself.
LGBTQ+ protagonists and marginalized MCs are his highest stated priority across every genre he accepts — this is the single strongest signal for who will rise to the top of his inbox.
His background is unusually practical: a decade of conference volunteering and agency interning, plus active careers as both a high-school English teacher and a graduate student. Response times are elevated (6–8 weeks) as a direct result, and he is transparent about this.
He responds to every query personally and does not ghost — a rare and credible commitment he reinforces with a public 'nudge' policy for anyone whose submission predates his logged reply dates.
Lately
In a May 2026 wishlist refresh, Matthew announced that his focus was shifting exclusively to genre fiction — Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Romance — and that writers should re-check his current preferences before submitting, as his list had been meaningfully narrowed.
What Matthew is looking for
All fantasy subgenres are on the table — romantasy, high/epic, cozy, dark, historical, folklore retellings, dark academia, and portal fantasy. His emphasis is explicit: he is urgently seeking stories led by LGBTQ+ and other marginalized protagonists. This is his primary focus as of the May 2026 update.
He welcomes all sci-fi subgenres but describes himself as very selective and holds out for high-concept premises that stand out sharply. LGBTQ+ and marginalized leads are a strong plus. Writers should approach with something genuinely distinctive — a familiar premise executed well is unlikely to be enough.
He gravitates toward paranormal, demonic possession, historical, folklore-rooted, dark academia, and gothic horror. LGBTQ+ and marginalized protagonists are a meaningful plus here as well.
Open to contemporary, new adult, dark romance, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, romantasy, holiday, and sports romance. He prefers LGBTQ+ stories but welcomes all romance within these subgenres.
Not the right fit
On Matthew's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Matthew
Submit only during his open window: the 15th through the end of the month. Emails sent outside this window are unlikely to be processed in the current cycle.
Confirm his live submission form status before drafting anything — he observes rolling open/closed periods and the window can close mid-month.
Use the subject line format: QUERY – [MANUSCRIPT TITLE]. Deviation from this format risks being filtered or overlooked.
Paste your query letter and the first 10 pages of your manuscript directly in the body of the email — do not attach them as documents.
Include your author website if you have one, but he explicitly notes its absence is not disqualifying.
His sharpest priority is LGBTQ+ and marginalized protagonists. If your manuscript has this, lead with it clearly and early in your query letter.
He is a self-described picky reader for sci-fi specifically — if you're pitching that category, your concept needs to be genuinely high-concept and immediately legible as such from the first paragraph.
Do not pitch via social media or any channel other than email — he has closed those doors explicitly.
Allow 6–8 weeks for a response given his dual workload. He responds to every query, so if you're past that window, a polite nudge is appropriate and welcomed.