Claire Elliot

In fiction, Claire reads YA, NA, and Adult, and is interested in fantasy, historical, thriller, and mystery. She loves a romantic or political subplot (even if the subplot is very small) and an immersive and messed-up setting. Claire is interested in characters who were not born heroes but chose to be and in stories with symbolic resonance. Claire is also interested in fantasy set in non-western inspired worlds (especially Southeast Asia!) and historical fiction set in these areas about real or made-up figures. She dreams of seeing a novel about Anagarika Dharmapala, Mary Foster, and Maria Banta, "The Countess."

In nonfiction, Claire is interested in pop-science books that use data to tell clear stories (if you can compare your book to Emily Negoski, she wants to see it!) Claire is also interested in narrative nonfiction that walks the line between long-form journalism and ethnography; she's looking for the next Still Life With Bones, Friday Night Lights, or The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Finally, Claire is looking for new and unexpected histories that are timeless but touch on present issues (e.g., a global history of student protest movements and activism, a medical and social history of STIs (STDs), or a book on religious pluralism and inter-religious cooperation). She's also keen to discuss dissertation-to-book projects.

While Claire is interested in books that touch on religion and politics, she is not interested in theology or manifestos.