I am opening to queries June 16-19, 2026.
When I reopen please use my Query Manager: https://QueryManager.com/MichelleHauck. Queries sent by email will not be considered.
THIS OPEN CALL IS ONLY FOR PROJECTS FOR THE ADULT MARKET. I will consider science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, and thriller. DO NOT SEND Middle Grade or Young Adult.
In general, I represent all genres of Middle Grade and Young Adult, though I am not currently seeking kidlit. In Adult, I am accepting science fiction, horror, romantasy, and fantasy as well as mystery. Note that I do not accept Adult romance, though I do love a romance subplot or romantasy.
In Adult mystery, I am not the best fit for true crime focused or police procedurals and legal mysteries. I prefer amateur sleuths over PIs or police main characters, but will look at any mystery or suspense with a mystery.
I do not represent nonfiction, chapter books, early readers, short story collections, novellas, graphic novels, or picture books at this time.
Overall, I like positive, upbeat characters, quirky humor (or really any humor) and am always excited to see stories with diverse underrepresented voices (including and not limited to LGBTQA+, neurodiversity, BIPOC, Latinx, Indigenous People, and disability). Also I like: Characters with deep character arcs, villains with complex motivations and layers, and stories set on secondary worlds or settings that are other than American or European.
I worked with neurodiverse students for many years and have a special place in my heart for stories in that area.
I try to respond to requested material within three months, but you are welcome to nudge if I go over three months. And for queries sent later in the query window expect a longer wait.
You may submit to more than one agent at Storm, but only one at a time.
Michelle’s special wish list needs include:
-self-published creators of Adult fantasy, romantasy, or horror who want help exploiting their retained audio and other sub-rights.
-any speculative fiction with a murder mystery
-cozy fantasy or science fiction with romance
-Anything Queer and Trans in the genres she’s open to as well as any BIPOC
-horror with social commentary, rather than a slasher plot
-horror with romance
-Adult mystery set outside the U.S.
-Adult mystery with younger protagonists that is fast paced
-Dystopian in Adult.
Please do not submit material that has been AI generated or assisted.
Some things that I am not a huge fan of:
-circus settings
-zombies (unless really unique)
-vampires (unless really unique)
-time travel stories (especially if the time travel solves the obstacle)
Some books I’ve read recently and enjoyed are:
The Knight and the Moth, The Impossible Fortune, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries series, Where Darkness Blooms, The Space Between Worlds, The Once and Future Witches, Station Eternity, The Swifts, Tilly in Technicolor, Where Darkness Blooms, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Space Between Worlds, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, This Time It’s Real, Legends and Lattes, The Seventh Bride, There Goes the Neighborhood, The Locked Tomb series, the Murderbot series, The Priory of the Orange Tree, Wings of Ebony, Mexican Gothic, Cemetery Boys, Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, How to Trap a Tiger, New Kid, Project Hail Mary, and The City We Became.
Old favorites include The Hunger Games series, The Wheel of Time Series, Anne of Green Gables series, The Legend of Eli Monpress, Ready Player One, and The Questionable Behavior of Dalia Moss.
Short Bio: Michelle lives in northern Indiana with her hubby and dogs. She was a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, Picture Book Party, and Sun versus Snow and a six-time Pitchwars adult mentor.
She is a literary agent for Storm Literary Agency. Michelle represents all genres of young adult and middle grade, and some select adult genres. In adult, she has a particular love of science fiction and fantasy as well as lighter/quirky mystery. Please check out her full wishlist and submission directions at Storm Literary Agency. Or see more about her wishlist at MSWL.
FAQ:
Can I resubmit a query after revisions? Yes, if the manuscript has been significantly revised you may re-query.
Can I query more than one agent at Storm? Yes, but only one at a time.
Do I need to notify you if another agent requests a full or partial? No, but please let me know if you receive an offer.
Do you respond to queries? I respond to all queries. If you haven’t gotten a response then I haven’t reached your query yet and am still considering. Or check your spam folder. Requests often get stuck there.
Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Goodreads
