Taj McCoy is a mission-driven literary agent at Laura Dail Literary Agency who champions BIPOC and queer creators across adult fiction, YA, MG, and nonfiction — with a particular passion for body positivity, Black joy, and stories that center intersectional identities.
In brief
Taj McCoy has moved from Rees Literary Agency to Laura Dail Literary Agency — any query sent to Rees or to taj@reesliterary.com will miss the mark entirely; the correct contact is tmccoy@ldlainc.com for business only, with all queries going through the online form.
The wishlist is broad on paper, but the throughline is consistent: marginalized protagonists, cultural specificity, humor and joy, and love stories that don't default to white or thin or straight. If your book doesn't center an underrepresented perspective, it's not a fit regardless of category.
Taj is currently CLOSED to unsolicited submissions as of June 2026; the personal website previously noted a plan to reopen in the second half of February — confirm the live form status before submitting.
Picture books occupy a nuanced position: unsolicited picture books are not accepted, but picture books by referral are considered — and Taj actively seeks illustrators who can work across age groups, so author-illustrators with a referral have a path.
Adult romantasy and epic adult fantasy are explicitly off the table now, even though the older wishlist showed more fantasy openness — trust the current agency page and drop any romantasy pitch.
Lately
Taj participated in a podcast conversation with two collaborators, sharing guidance for writers in the query trenches and those preparing to begin submitting — suggesting Taj remains engaged with the querying community and values transparency about the process.
What Taj is looking for
Taj wants steamy romance and comedy-forward rom-coms featuring characters from underrepresented groups. Key ingredients: cinnamon roll love interests (not alpha males), body-positive protagonists, cultural specificity, and humor that earns its laughs. Paranormal and adventure romance are welcome; romantasy and epic fantasy are not. Think swoony, warm, and character-driven.
Mysteries must include a romantic element — a cozy-with-heat sensibility. Thrillers should break from the domestic default: Taj is drawn to ensemble casts, sibling dynamics, best-friend pairings, and neighborhood-as-setting. Both should center characters from marginalized communities.
Powerful female protagonists, intergenerational family dynamics, and cultural richness are the hallmarks of what Taj wants here. Stories that celebrate Black joy, fat joy, and love without limitations are explicitly the goal. Literary depth is welcome but commercial accessibility is valued.
YA is a genuine priority. Taj wants emotional, angsty love stories and rom-coms, but also mysteries, thrillers, creepy horror, and fantasies with dynamic world-building. BIPOC paranormal and magical realism are enthusiastically welcomed. Witty, culturally-grounded teen voices with big emotions and complex identities are the target. YA nonfiction spotlighting overlooked historical figures and innovators is also sought.
Fun adventure stories, identity-exploring fantasies, intersectional mysteries, and spooky horror that weaves in cultural mythology are all on the radar. MG nonfiction about historical figures and innovators missing from mainstream curricula is also wanted. Voice-driven, inclusive, and culturally grounded.
Biographies and memoirs that recover erased or overlooked histories, empowerment-focused self-help, cookbooks rooted in family tradition and cultural heritage, and comedic narrative nonfiction. Fresh, accessible takes on health, wellness, and financial literacy aimed at marginalized communities are a newer addition to the wishlist.
Taj actively seeks illustrators who can work across formats — picture books, chapter books, MG, and YA. This is a genuine, ongoing search, not a footnote. Illustrators with a strong, culturally resonant visual voice should query directly.
Not the right fit
On Taj's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Taj
Address your query to the correct agency — Laura Dail Literary Agency, not Rees Literary. The move is confirmed on Taj's own website, and any submission routed to the old agency is wasted.
Do not email your query under any circumstances. Taj's website is explicit: emailed queries are deleted immediately without being read. The online form is the only accepted channel.
Lead with your protagonist's identity and cultural context — Taj is not looking for a generic voice that could belong to anyone. The marginalized perspective, the cultural specificity, the intersectional identity should be on line one of your query, not buried in paragraph three.
Name the joy. Taj's wishlist mentions 'Black joy,' 'fat joy,' and 'love without limitations' repeatedly. If your book is dark throughout with no warmth or humor, reconsider the fit — Taj wants emotional range, not unrelenting grimness.
Flag the ensemble if you have one. Taj specifically calls out ensemble casts for mysteries and thrillers as a plus — mention it if relevant.
Avoid pitching alpha male love interests or framing a hero's dominance as romantic. Cinnamon roll energy — warm, supportive, emotionally available — is the explicit preference.
Confirm the form is open before submitting. The form was closed as of June 2026. Submitting to a closed form wastes your query opportunity.
Submit the query letter and the first three chapters — this is the stated requirement. Do not substitute a synopsis or a partial of a different length.