You may have seen the acronym MSWL around, particularly on social media sites like Instagram or Twitter (X). It stands for “manuscript wish list,” and it’s become a helpful tool to help publishers, agents, and editors find the book projects they’re interested in acquiring. It also benefits writers and authors, helping them find the right home for their projects. This list can include anything and is often unique to the one making it. Some MSWLs detail genres and subgenres they’re open to receiving, and some MSWLs can get highly specific, detailing certain settings, character types, plot elements, and comp titles they’re looking to publish
A manuscript wish list is a curated list created by literary agents, editors, and publishers that outlines the specific types of manuscripts or book projects they are currently interested in acquiring. These lists will almost always include the genres and subgenres a publishing professional is looking for, such as fantasy, contemporary romance, mystery, nonfiction, magical realism, and retellings. A list might also feature genres that the list maker is not interested in receiving, either because they don’t publish that genre or their quota for that genre has been filled for the upcoming seasons.
A publishing professional might create a manuscript wish list to find the stories that best represent their mission, values, or interests, capture a trend or pursue a trend they can see on the horizon, fill areas in their work or titles that are missing, or have a personal interest in a niche topic. Creating a manuscript wish list will help them connect with these manuscripts. MSWLs help match the stories with the right representatives by clearly outlining preferences and interests.
Some lists include themes or topics that are desirable to the list maker. A literary agent may be looking for authors whose manuscript covers coming-of-age stories, anticolonialism, or environmental issues. They might also list character types or relationships, which could include a search for literary fiction with a focus on a mother-daughter relationship or a story with a point of view from the “villain” of the story. Specific settings might also appear on a MSWL, a mystery set on an island or a romance set in a small town.
Not only do manuscript wish lists help publishing professionals get the word out about the types of manuscripts they’d like to publish, but these lists help writers and authors navigate the submission process. By finding an agent or publisher that is looking for elements that appear in an author’s manuscript, the author can have a better chance of finding the agent or publisher that’s the right match for them. Manuscript wish lists also give valuable insights into the current publishing market and the different trends and preferences in the publishing industry. These MSWLs, much like submission guidelines, help authors avoid submitting to publishers or agents that will be the wrong match for them, saving time for both parties.
These lists can be found in various places, but they are most commonly posted on personal, publisher, or agency websites or on social media platforms such as Twitter (X) or Instagram under the hashtag #mswl. A few websites also feature a place for publishing professionals to post their manuscript wish lists and connect with readers. A prominent website in this category is manuscriptwishlist.com. Engaging with these platforms and resources can provide real-time updates and valuable connections.
Whether you’re an author or a publishing professional, manuscript wish lists are a great tool for navigating the acquisitions/submissions side of publishing. By creating or viewing MSWLs, both authors and publishing professionals can streamline the process, ensuring that the right stories find their way to the right hands.
Written by Noraa Gunn.