Rachel Mann is a New York-based agent at Creative Artists Agency who specializes in young adult fiction, with a particular appetite for high-concept YA and YA horror featuring historically marginalized perspectives.
In brief
Rachel Mann's most clearly evidenced areas of enthusiasm are high-concept YA and YA horror — these are the categories to lead with if querying during an open window.
Their submissions are currently closed as of April 2026; writers should check the live form before querying.
The late-2024 public signal specifically called out YA with untold histories and underrepresented characters as a top priority, suggesting a consistent equity-focused editorial lens.
No confirmed sales record was available for this profile, so genre heat levels are drawn entirely from Mann's own stated priorities rather than deal data.
Creative Artists Agency is primarily known as a major talent and literary agency, placing Mann in a well-resourced commercial context.
Lately
Shortly before closing submissions, Mann put out a call for high-concept YA — especially projects that illuminate untold histories or center historically marginalized characters — and for YA horror across all sub-genres.
What Rachel is looking for
Mann actively seeks young adult fiction built around a bold, original premise. Projects that center historically underrepresented communities or surface lesser-known histories are especially welcome — this is not a vague preference but a stated priority. Think ambitious, commercially legible hooks with meaningful cultural grounding.
Mann described wanting YA horror in the broadest possible terms — 'all of it' — signaling genuine, wide-open enthusiasm rather than a narrow sub-niche interest. Any register of YA horror, from psychological to supernatural to slasher-adjacent, appears to be fair game. Pairing horror with marginalized protagonists or underexplored histories would align with Mann's broader editorial values.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Rachel
Confirm the submission form is open before sending anything — it was closed as of April 2026 and may remain so for an extended period.
Lead your query letter with the high-concept hook front and center; Mann's stated interest is in premise-driven YA, so bury the plot mechanics and open with the big idea.
If your YA project engages with historically underrepresented communities or surfaces a lesser-known history, name that explicitly early in the query — it is a stated differentiator, not a box to check in a footnote.
For horror submissions, you do not need to over-explain your sub-genre credentials; Mann's public enthusiasm is broad. Focus instead on what makes your specific book's horror engine distinctive.
Keep your query focused on YA — there is no public signal that Mann is actively building a list in other age categories right now.