Jenoyne Adams, Principal Agent Willy Blackmore, Associate Agent As an editor and publisher at Impetus Press, Willy Blackmore focused on works of literary fiction with a pop or urban edge that fell in-between the commercial and experimental. Works that fit this description continue to interest him, as well as literary fiction as a whole. He prefers narrative-driven novels that construct and develop a real and engaging world. He does not represent straight genre fiction (e.g. fantasy, romance, crime, horror, etc.), but will consider manuscripts that take a new slant on the traditions and tropes of a genre, such as Paul Auster’s ingenious, postmodernist take on detective fiction as seen in his New York Trilogy. Translation projects that fit into any of the above categories are also welcome. In non-fiction works, Blackmore considers pop culture, food/travel writing and contemporary art/culture to all be topics of interest, as well as biographies that relate to such concerns. Memoirs that showcase an intense sense of immediacy and are willing to honestly confront difficult realities will be considered as well. All non-fiction proposals/manuscripts should be rooted in contemporary life and culture or the relatively recent past. However, since histories relating to literature and art are a keen interest, such genres will also be considered for representation.
Whether YA , adult fiction, or nonfiction, I am attracted to works that grab me emotionally.
In the realm of nonfiction, I am interested in narrative nonfiction, writing books and works that deals strongly with women's issues, parenting, the environment and animals (I have a wonderful dog).
In adult fiction, I am a fan of fluid, literary novels that make you want to read each word aloud.
What grabs me in a commercial novel is a great storyline with assessable themes and a soul—I believe commercial fiction should make you laugh, and entertain you, but it should also make you think.
I love ethnic/world fiction of all kinds—take me to China or to a Brazilian village, introduce me to the zaniest Jewish family or to a divorced Latina mother negotiating the dating scene for the first time in a decade.
Middle grade, YA fiction and nonfiction, young reader? Bring it on. I absolutely adore these categories (YA/middle represents over half of my list). I am interested in developing and working on projects that run the gamut—literary, fantasy, urban/edgy, serious, bling-blingy? SURE. I love it all. And I haven't found it yet, but with a deep appreciation for anime and martial arts flicks, I am looking for the perfect graphic novel.
