Paige Terlip Literary Agent

Across age categories, I am drawn to high concept novels with captivating hooks, snarky characters with hearts of gold, creative magic systems, complicated relationships, and found families. I love well-plotted twists, being a little bit scared, and stories that explore the fluidity of gender and bring the queer experience to light. Regardless of genre, I am seeking inclusive, intersectional voices and gorgeous line-level writing with emotionally compelling narratives. 
 
On the adult side I am open to thrillers/psychological suspense, fantasy/sci-fi, upmarket fiction, horror, mysteries, and romance. I love projects that are beautifully written, while still remaining clear and concise. I'm primarily looking for pace and plot that leans more commercial, but with a literary voice and edge. For me, one dynamite line of prose that makes me feel ALL the feelings, is better than a paragraph of purely lyrical language and metaphor.

Overall, I want narratives that will evoke layers of emotions—even if that means I ugly cry—and will stick with me long after reading.
While I have split my wish list up across age categories, there is often overlap between them—especially between adult and YA.
​
​

Adult
A VERY specific wish list item, could be any genre (SF/F, horror, contemporary, etc.) but a novel about the Navajo Rangers from a Navajo author (especially something along the lines of what was featured in Unsolved Mysteries Volume 3)

Thrillers & Psychological Suspense
  • Martial arts (especially women in martial arts)
  • ​Forensics
  • Gothic (a la Laura Purcell)
  • Protagonists solving mysteries in careers other than law enforcement
  • Narratives that explore the dark corners of the human psyche without stereotyping mental illness
​
Horror
  • Horror that dismantles the gender binary (and societal norms)
  • Stories that examine contemporary issues using horror as the vehicle (think Jordan Peele or Stephen Graham Jones)
  • ​Fresh takes on haunted houses
  • Horror informed by socioeconomic struggles and social stratifications 
  • Sentient plants or natural settings with a sinister undertone (a la Annihilation) 

​Fantasy/Sci-fi
  • SF/F that appeals to newcomers to the genre as well as hardcore readers
  • ​Hackers
  • Fresh romantic fantasy
  • Exploring a matrilineal inheritance through a trans POV
  • Real, burgeoning science & innovative technology taken to the next level
​
Romance & Commercial Fiction
  • Cozy mysteries that center BIPOC and/or queer characters
  • Truly laugh-out-loud romantic comedies
  • Queer romance
  • BIPOC romance
  • Conflict that CAN'T be solved in one conversation
  • A dash of the speculative
  • Finding your queer identity later in life
  • Action-adventures that might comp to The Lost City
  • Sunshine-grumpy trope (or grumpy-grumpy, really anything with a snarky, lovably cranky protagonist who may or may not be a cinnamon roll underneath all the snark)

Upmarket Fiction
  • Stories that have a dark and/or speculative edge
  • Bookclub fiction that doesn't center white women
  • LGBTQ+ history
  • Speculative fiction about the Tsunami spirits in Ishinomaki, focusing on collective healing (the ghost taxis especially)

Teen
Fantasy/Sci-fi
  • Magic in our world
  • Black Girl Magic
  • Dark & twisty 
  • Worldbuilding & magic systems that feel integral to the plot—not just for flash
  • Gothic & brooding
  • Wednesday vibes (especially the fencing, murder, and sharp wit)

Contemporary
  • Romantic comedies (that truly make me laugh out loud)
  • ​Snark & sarcasm
  • Survival stories
  • Archeology or Mummy-like action adventures
  • Teens questioning organized religion (especially Queers questioning Catholicism)
  • ​Trans athletes
​​
Thrillers & Horror
  • Boarding school settings
  • ​Cults
  • Unexpected betrayal
  • Occult conspiracies​
  • Twins or dopplegängers

ChildrenS
Picture Book
Closed to picture book queries except for referrals or conference attendees

Middle Grade
  • Humor
  • ​Hijinks & adventure
  • Series potential
  • Girl detectives
  • Magic in our world
  • ​Cooking
  • Mysteries & puzzles
  • Smart, awkward protagonists
  • Queer stories in all genres (that are not necessarily about coming out or trauma)
  • Found families
  • Environmentalism 

Across
the
​Board
​I am especially seeking stories from Indigenous writers in all categories and genres.

  • Characters with disabilities where the disability is NOT a twist or a problem to be solved
  • Any genre exploring how legacy & lineage (or lack thereof) impacts a character's current challenges
  • Twists that serve the plot not just shock factor
  • Queerness that isn't solely about trauma or coming out
  • FUNNY books that genuinely make me laugh out loud
  • Unexpected setting that influences the plot (and almost become a character itself)
  • A standout voice that feel fresh, authentic, and jumps off the page. Make me feel deeply for the characters (whether that is love, hate, or anything in-between, just not ambivalence.) 
  • Stories from creators who have historically been underrepresented in publishing​

Bottom line: I am looking for captivating stories, a strong voice, and authentic characters. An exciting premise hooks my interest, but characters and voice keep me reading. I am also open to being surprised. If you think we'd be a good fit, give it a try! (But please note the exceptions below.)

Projects I am NOT necessarily a fit for:
  • Unnecessary, excessive violence against women or children
  • Stories that include suicide as a primary element of the plot
  • COVID or terminal-illness as the primary plot
  • Books where the dog dies! (If you are sending me something where a dog dies, I'd appreciate a warning!)
  • Rhyming picture books (I know there are amazing rhyming picture books, but I tend to be REALLY picky about them.)
  • Adult memoir
  • Hugely complex sci-fi set in space or closed spaceship stories.  (I  tend to gravitate more toward grounded sci-fi.)
  • Thrillers that stereotype the middle east
  • Non-consensual romance (I ALWAYS REQUIRE CONSENT IN MY ROMANCE)
  • Non-fiction picture book biographies (at least right now)​
  • Stories that magically "fix" disabilities
  • Scatological or toilet humor
  • Kidnapper/captive turned romance (as much as I love Beauty and the Beast, I'd prefer a different take)

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your query to Query Manager: QueryManager.com/PaigeTerlip

Follow the directions on Query Manager to submit your query. If I am interested in reading more, I will request the full manuscript. Per ABLA policy please only submit to one ABLA agent at a time. 
​
For illustrators submitting art samples only, please put "SEEKING ART REPRESENTATION" in lieu of a title. If an art file is too large to attach to Query Manager, include a Google Drive or Dropbox link instead.

Please be patient! I personally read each and every query, and will respond as soon as possible. I also reply to every query. If you haven't heard from me, it means I'm still considering!

Do NOT email queries. All email queries will be automatically deleted. I want to read your work! Please follow submission guidelines to ensure your query is reviewed. 

REPRESENTATIVE TITLES

Books I haven't sold, but are examples of what I'd love to represent:

Picture books 

THIS IS NOT MY HAT
​ALL BECAUSE YOU MATTER
LIBBY LOVES SCIENCE
WE ARE GRATEFUL: OTSALIHELIGA
RADIANT CHILD
CAN I BE YOUR DOG
EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY
​WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS​
PINK IS FOR BLOBFISH
DREAMERS

Middle Grade

ONE CRAZY SUMMER
HARRIET THE SPY
LOVE SUGAR MAGIC
PARKER INHERITANCE
AMERICAN BORN CHINESE
SPIRIT OF CATTAIL COUNTY
LUMBER JANES
THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON
DOLLBONES
ELLA ENCHANTED
CORALINE
​NEW KID
TRISTAN STRONG
JULIETA & THE DIAMOND ENIGMA
AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS

Young Adult

A LINE IN THE DARK
YOU BRING THE DISTANT NEAR
THE HERO AND THE CROWN
DUMPLIN'
BONE GAP
MERCIFUL CROW
SCORPIO RACES
SAWKILL GIRLS
CEMETERY BOYS
PRIDE
GRACELING
A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE
WE ARE OKAY
A GREAT & TERRIBLE BEAUTY
AN EMBER IN THE ASHES

Adult

SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN
THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO
​WRITTEN IN THE STARS
THE OTHER BLACK GIRL
​MYSTIC & THE RIDER
DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST
BLACK SUN
THE WATER DANCER
CITY OF BRASS
A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES
MEXICAN GOTHIC
ONE LAST STOP
​IN THE WOODS
​GIDEON THE NINTH
SOUL OF AN OCTOPUS
​THE CITY WE BECAME
DELILAH GREEN DOESN'T CARE