The Science of Speculative Storytelling
Speculative and historical fiction are among the most commercially powerful genres in publishing. Epic fantasy series routinely debut on bestseller lists. Science fiction drives some of the most culturally significant storytelling of our time. Historical fiction has seen a remarkable resurgence, with readers hungry for stories that make the past feel urgent and alive. Across all three genres, readers are deeply loyal, actively engaged communities who consume books voraciously and champion the authors they love.
But these are also among the hardest genres to execute well. World-building must be expansive but never overwhelming. Magic systems and technology must be internally consistent. Characters must feel real and motivated even within extraordinary or unfamiliar circumstances. Pacing must carry readers across complex plots without losing momentum. And the hook has to be strong enough to cut through a crowded, competitive market.
Getting all of that right is where an experienced genre editor makes the difference.
An Editor Who Lives Inside the Genre
From the time I was young I have been drawn to epic, immersive worlds — from The Lord of the Rings to The Way of Kings. Brandon Sanderson's work shaped how I think about magic systems, internal consistency, and the weight of consequence in speculative storytelling. The Scorpio Races—my all-time favorite standalone novel—showed me what grounded fantasy with stakes feels like. The Cruel Prince, Ella Enchanted, and The Goose Girl gave me a deep appreciation for fantasy that balances heart and tension without sacrificing either.
What I bring to every SFF manuscript:
A genuine love of the genre across epic fantasy, cozy fantasy, science fiction, Historical, horror, and speculative fiction
An agent's eye for marketability, pacing, and what the current market is looking for
A focus on preserving your unique voice
Mastering the Fantastic:
From years of evaluating thousands of queries and manuscripts as a literary agent specializing in fantasy and speculative fiction, I have developed a sharp instinct for what separates a compelling manuscript from one that loses readers—and agents—early. I know what hooks acquisition editors, what pacing keeps readers turning pages through a 500-page epic, and what worldbuilding feels lived-in versus constructed. I bring all of that experience directly to my editorial work, and it means I know what makes a manuscript stand out in a crowded market.
Common Pitfalls in SFF Manuscripts
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Worldbuilding that overwhelms the story in early chapters, burying readers before they are invested in the characters
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Magic systems or technology that lack internal rules, making stakes feel arbitrary
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Character motivations that get lost behind the spectacle of an elaborate world
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Pacing that loses momentum under the weight of an epic scope
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Plot threads that multiply across complex timelines and never fully resolve
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POV inconsistencies, whether balancing multiple POV characters in a large cast or maintaining a consistent and effective first or third person perspective throughout
Start with One Chapter
Whether you are writing epic fantasy, cozy fantasy, hard science fiction, historical, or speculative fiction that defies easy categorization—your manuscript deserves an editor who genuinely loves the genre.