Rose Ferrao is a Toronto-based associate agent at P.S. Literary Agency — editorially trained at two major UK houses — who hunts for genre-savvy adult romance, SFF, and literary fiction that balances commercial energy with emotional depth, alongside a wide non-fiction list.
In brief
Ferrao's editorial background spans Orbit Books UK (SFF/horror) and Bloomsbury (non-fiction), which makes them unusually well-equipped for both the speculative and the non-fiction sides of their list — a rarity among romance-leaning agents.
Their wishlist puts adult romance front and center, but the SFF and literary fiction categories are equally detailed and specific, suggesting a genuinely broad taste rather than a single-genre focus.
Ferrao explicitly welcomes the full heat spectrum in romance — from closed-door to explicit — a meaningful signal for writers who have been told to self-censor before querying.
The non-fiction list spans cookbooks, sports, pop culture, psychology, science, and history, making Ferrao one of the more versatile non-fiction agents at a primarily commercial fiction agency.
The wishlist names multiple specific published comps across every category, signaling a reader who expects writers to know the market — lead with a precise comp when pitching.
Lately
Ferrao flags a strong appetite for ace-spec protagonists in romance, calling out a specific published novel as a touchstone — signaling that underrepresented orientations on the aromantic/asexual spectrum are an active priority, not just an open category.
What Rose is looking for
Ferrao wants romance across most subgenres and explicitly welcomes all heat levels. Priority signals: witty, fast-paced dialogue in the vein of Emily Henry or Ali Hazelwood; neurodivergent and/or queer protagonists, with a particular interest in ace-spec representation; sports romance that digs into athletes' or fans' relationship with the game itself; romance set in a speculative world with a strong romantic throughline; and emotionally complex, desire-driven stories that go deep rather than staying on the surface.
Ferrao is looking for romantasy that earns both halves of its label — meaning serious worldbuilding and plot alongside genuine romantic chemistry, not one at the expense of the other. Epic fantasy with high stakes and a large cast of characters to invest in is also welcome. On the cozier end, a Ghibli-inflected fantasy that handles big themes in a warm, low-threat atmosphere would be an immediate priority. Science fiction and science fantasy should lean into their genre elements rather than filing them down. On the horror side, Ferrao's appetite is broad: gothic, space, folk, psychological, and supernatural horror are all explicitly invited.
Two distinct tracks here. First, upmarket thrillers that use a gripping premise as a lens for personal or social examination — psychological and domestic rather than paranormal. Second, contemporary literary fiction, with a particular fondness for workplace novels and stories centered on complicated relationships. Ferrao is also drawn to contemporary fiction that introduces a quietly surreal element — not full-on magical realism, but a premise with a strange premise baked in. Women's fiction that functions as a second (or third or fourth) coming-of-age story, with romantic elements, rounds out this category.
Ferrao takes select YA and crossover fiction across contemporary, romance (contemporary or speculative), fantasy, thrillers, and mystery thrillers. The emphasis on 'select' suggests this is an occasional rather than primary focus — pitch YA only if it has strong crossover appeal or fits squarely in one of those listed categories.
Ferrao is open to a notably wide non-fiction range: cookbooks and food writing, sports, pop culture, music, psychology, lifestyle, wellness, science, history, and narrative non-fiction. The key qualifier is perspective — the topic must be approached from a specific, distinctive angle rather than as a general overview. The Bloomsbury non-fiction background gives Ferrao genuine editorial credibility here.
Not the right fit
On Rose's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Rose
Address the query to Rose Ferrao by name — the wishlist is detailed and category-specific, so a personalized opening that names the exact subcategory (e.g. 'ace-spec sports romance' or 'gothic horror') will land better than a generic greeting.
Lead with a precise published comp from Ferrao's own wishlist if one fits your book — the list is unusually long and specific, signaling that comp literacy is important to this agent.
If your romance features neurodivergent or ace-spec protagonists, say so explicitly and early — Ferrao calls this out as a distinct priority, not just a welcome bonus.
For SFF submissions, be explicit about which subgenre you're targeting (romantasy, epic fantasy, cozy fantasy, science fantasy, horror subtype) — Ferrao distinguishes carefully between them and the pitch should match.
For non-fiction, lead with the specific angle or perspective that makes your approach distinctive — a broad topic pitched broadly is unlikely to connect; Ferrao wants to know what only you can bring to it.
Horror writers: list your subgenre (gothic, space, folk, psychological, supernatural) in the first paragraph — Ferrao's horror appetite is broad but deliberate, and naming the subgenre signals market awareness.
Do NOT pitch picture books, middle grade, noir, military romance, celebrity/rockstar romance, or fiction inspired by real-world crimes — these are explicitly excluded.
Review the current submission guidelines on the P.S. Literary Agency website before querying, as specific formatting requirements may have changed since this profile was compiled.
For upmarket thrillers, emphasize the social or personal issue the thriller premise illuminates — Ferrao is drawn to the 'why it matters' layer, not just the plot engine.