Agent Masha Gunic

Masha Gunic

Azantian Literary Agency

Fiction: Middle Grade, Young Adult

Favorite sub-genres: Contemporary YA, Humor YA, Literary Middle Grade, MG Fantasy, MG adventure, Magical Realism YA, Science Fiction YA, contemporary MG

Masha started her career in publishing as an intern at the Azantian Literary Agency and has since held internships at Red Fox Literary and Writers House before working as an Editorial Assistant at Abrams Books on the children’s side for two years. Her love for books across genres, as well as her desire to find and foster great talent, drove her to make the transition from editorial back to the Azantian Literary Agency on the West Coast in 2018. Right now, Masha is only looking to acquire middle grade and young adult novels.

MIDDLE GRADE

Masha is excited to find middle grade novels across all genres. Bring on the adventure, the creepy, the spine-chilling horror, the historical, the imaginative, and the laugh-out-loud funny! She looks for dramatic and comedic middle grade books with a relatable voice and strong friendship and family themes. Brave or whimsical adventure novels are a sweet spot, especially those starring underdogs and antiheroes. She loves low fantasy in general (and is still upset she never got that Hogwarts letter!), as well as heartbreaking contemporary fiction with exceptional character development. Some of her favorite middle grade books include WISH by Barbara O’Connor, the FIVE KINGDOMS series by Brandon Mull, THE NEST by Kenneth Oppel, ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S LIBRARY by Chris Grabenstein, CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY by Karen Cushman, HOLES by Louis Sachar, THE ROYAL DIARIES series, and the GOOSEBUMPS series by R.L. Stine.

YOUNG ADULT

She is looking for exciting, high-concept and commercial young adult novels that keeps her reading chapter after chapter until she’s all done and craving more, as well as unique literary works and contemporary fiction (including comedies, drama, romance, thrillers, and mysteries with satisfying twists). She’s also open to historical fiction, science fiction, low fantasy, and magical realism, but is more selective when it comes to high fantasy. Above all, she’s drawn to young adult novels with a strong voice, masterful writing, beautiful world-building with a vivid setting, and complex characters that are truly unforgettable. A few of her all-time favorite books include the CONFESSIONS OF GEORGIA NICOLSON series by Louise Rennison, THE PRINCESS DIARIES and ALL-AMERICAN GIRL by Meg Cabot, THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas, ONE OF US IS LYING by Karen M. McManus, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE by Cynthia Hand, SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE by Morgan Matson, TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE by Jenny Han, CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber, CINDER by Marissa Meyer, THE WRATH & THE DAWN by Renée Ahdieh, and THE WICKED DEEP by Shea Ernshaw.

Fun facts about me:I have a deep love for games, especially if they include labyrinths and escape rooms (though I’m not exactly the best at getting out).

Since I was a kid, I also wanted to be a detective or private investigator…so if I’m not reading, I’m most likely watching Investigation Discovery.

I can get bored of going to the gym pretty quickly, so I spend my time working out by taking barre classes, hiking, and playing volleyball, soccer, and tennis for fun. Variety if key!

I love love love food and am willing to try anything exotic and new.

Submission Guidelines

You can find her general guidelines and submission form here: http://www.azantianlitagency.com/submit.html

Guidelines & Details

masha@azantianlitagency.com

@@masha_gunic

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy