T.S. FERGUSON
LITERARY AGENT
Before joining Azantian Literary Agency, T.S. Ferguson worked for 16 years as an editor for some of the top children's and teen book publishers in the business, including Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Harlequin Teen/Inkyard Press, and JIMMY Patterson Books. He has worked with New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors such as Sherman Alexie, Sara Zarr, Suzanne Selfors, Pseudonymous Bosch, Robin Talley, Hillary Monahan (writing as Eva Darrows), and Adi Alsaid.
Fun Facts About Me
1. I only started playing Dungeons & Dragons this year and I've already created close to 20 different characters (complete with backstory).
2. I've been going to (sort of monthly) karaoke with the same group of book publishing friends for the past almost-20 years now.
3. I have a tattoo artist in the family and I can't enter the state of South Carolina without getting a new tattoo.
Plots centered around sports or athletes
Non-fiction
Novels-in-verse
Books about faith/organized religion
COVID/pandemic related stories
If you would describe your book as “classic,” “traditional,” or if it feels like more of the same, it’s probably not for me.
Books about dreams and/or dreamwalking (I don’t know why)
Tech heavy or space opera sci-fi (light, grounded sci-fi is OK).
Emphasize what about your book makes it feel fresh and new and sets it apart from everything else that’s out there in the market.
I’m obsessed with themes of death, undeath, and anything macabre. Not a huge fan of conventional ghost stories but give me vampires, zombies, and ghosts in fantasy settings and I’m excited. I’m currently obsessed with Laudna from Critical Role, for example. I’ve also had a lifelong obsession with the Addams Family.
Retellings, especially if they’re subversive or if there’s some sort of feminist/queer themes.
Well done time-travel (emphasis on “well done”)
Strange/unique concepts that are told in an accessible way (especially if the voice is compelling).
Perspectives we haven’t seen (or seen often) before.
Stories where characters are “sorted” into categories, groups, magic types, etc. and the reader can have fun deciding which group they’d be in as well. (i.e. Divergent factions, Percy Jackson cabins, Grishaverse magic type, etc).
Witches!! Dark, pagan-y witches especially. From the Sanderson sisters to Practical Magic to The Craft to Netflix’s Fear Street 1994 trilogy to Agatha All Along. Gimme!
I am interested in graphic novels across all age categories, and am only looking for author/illustrators or an author and illustrator pair who are working together at this time.
Please do not send Me:
Please Send Me:
WISHLIST
I am open to books across all genres for the Middle Grade and Young Adult markets, as well as Fantasy and Horror for the adult markets. First and foremost, I am looking for books that are hooky and high-concept! If you can describe your plot in 1-2 sentences and get me excited, that’s the key to my reading heart!
I tend to love commercial plots and pacing accompanied by writing that is strong in craft. Lyrical prose or a narrator’s sharp, witty voice will always grab me. Compelling characters with strong, clear motivations are key. I’m especially looking to prioritize underrepresented and marginalized voices and, as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I will always have a soft spot for queer and trans stories.
MIDDLE GRADE
For this age, while I’m open to all genres, I am specifically looking only for epic adventures, magical/fantasy stories, and books with series potential.
Open to both prose and graphic novels
I love characters with smart mouths who aren't afraid to stand up to authority, and kids who can outsmart the adults in the room
YOUNG ADULT
Open to all genres, in prose and graphic novels (but read on for specifics):
Dark and edgy stories
Atmospheric horror (where the voice/writing conveys a sense of suspense or dread or terror)
Horror that doesn't hold back
Fantasy with epic worldbuilding
Action-adventure
Unique formats such as epistolary (think Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall, Code Name Verity, or a YA Daisy Jones & The Six)
Unlikeable characters
ADULT FANTASY
High and/or epic fantasy.
I’ve recently gotten super into D&D so something that feels like that but also fresh and unique would really grab me right now.
I love unique magic systems, worlds that feel fully-realized and immersive, and interesting/highly-compelling characters.
Stories that would ‘ve previously been labeled as “urban fantasy” and published as mass market paperback.
Romantasy or fantasy with romantic subplots. I’m especially interested in M/M pairings.
Historical fantasy
ADULT HORROR
Above all else, the writing needs to feel atmospheric no matter what the plot is.
LOVE historical horror!
Feminist, queer, and/or non-white horror please!
Plots that deftly weave together real life problems with supernatural problems
