Lucy Irvine

My taste is generally very broad; I represent anything that falls under the children’s umbrella, with a focus on middle-grade, YA, as well as science-fiction & fantasy in the crossover / new adult market. I’m currently not looking for picture books.

Within middle-grade, my taste veers towards the commercial; I’m drawn to quick-paced, adventurous narratives with series potential. I love stories set in worlds that pull you in and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading, and am particularly keen to see original world-building and hooky, plot driven narratives. I’m always looking for fantasy in this space, but would also love contemporary, realistic settings – whether these are silly and humorous or emotional and issue-led. I would love to find something in the vein of Louie Stowell’s LOKI series or Elle McNicoll’s Keedie. I’m also very drawn to re-imagined folktales, myths, and legends, especially from voices traditionally underrepresented within publishing. Some middle-grade books I grew up on and adored include The Roman Mysteries, The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, and the PERCY JACKSON series.

On the YA side, I love all kinds of genre fiction, from fantasy to historical to romance to murder mystery. I’m keen to build the romance side of my list, and here I’m really looking for compelling character writing that makes me invested in the romance arc whatever the setting. I love twists and subversions on beloved tropes, and to really believe in the conflict (if you’re writing enemies-to-lovers, make them ENEMIES). Fantasy wise, I’m keen to see original world-building, and love anything that genre blends or offers a fresh take on traditional themes. I recently read and loved Moira Buffini’s Songlight and S.F. Williamson’s A Language of Dragons, and would love to find something similarly ambitious.

In terms of crossover and science-fiction/fantasy, I accept submissions in anything that falls under the general SFF umbrella, from epic fantasy to romantasy, from space opera to steampunk, but am not the right person for anything too grimdark. I would love to find something with the ambition and wit of Gideon the Ninth, or the scope and narrative-weaving of The Priory of the Orange Tree. I’m also really keen to find more cozy fantasy, and would love to see a werewolf story after reading and loving Ali Hazelwood’s Bride!

I am always looking for diverse writers and protagonists across race, sexuality, gender, class, and disability, and for stories that haven’t traditionally been given space within the publishing industry.

Across the board, I’d love to find stories with characters that I can see a fandom forming around.