Literary Agent

D4EO Literary Agency

V. Ruiz now represents picture books, adult and teen fiction, and select nonfiction.

V. Ruiz

V. Ruiz is a lesbian, Mexican American agent, editor, and author, who aspires to make publishing more equitable by working as an advocate for their authors. With nearly ten years of editing experience across literary and commercial genres, they consider themselves an editorial and career agent. V. wants to work with authors who are eager to work on multiple projects and who are open to editorial guidance and feedback. Recently, they worked as an acquisitions editor and project manager with Row House Publishing (distributed by Simon and Schuster) for over three years. V. is always eager to hear from voices who have been systemically underrepresented in publishing.

They have worked on over 25 titles as an editor. Aside from editing, they have previously ghostwritten nonfiction and fiction titles (over 15) in topics ranging from finance to small town romance. 

When V. isn’t writing or reading, they are studying astrology, playing video games, or trekking across the world to scream their heart out at a concert. 

Manuscript Wishlist

Fiction (Adult and Teens)

 
Last updated April 2026. Opening to submissions from April 15-22, 2026.

Fantasy

I’m always looking for fantasy based on folklore and mythology from all cultures. I want to see more gritty and dark fantasy, even grimdark and gaslamp fantasy. On the flipside, I am now open to cozy fantasy. For cozy, I veer towards shorter word count (under 90k). I would love to see more soft fantasy and/or magical realism. Also eager for steampunk fantasy.

I am a hard sell on epic fantasy, but I am open to being wooed especially if it’s a kind of reimagining.

Romance

I'm prioritizing Queer romance. I’m looking for manuscripts that incorporate speculative elements or that walks the line of magical realism and low-fantasy. I enjoy when romance brings in tough subjects alongside the hope/love. I’d love to see genre romance across the board, and/or genre blends with romance as a core plot. While I am a hard sell on romantasy, I am open to something like a cozy fantasy romance. I’d also like to see some dark romance, especially if there are some lighthearted and comedic moments.

I’M NOT THE AGENT FOR… Romance that incorporate real-life armed forces in any capacity (no military, police, etc. with the love interest or MC). I’m only interested in historical romance that features Queer characters. I am a hard sell on “sports” romance.

Thriller / Horror

I especially enjoy stories where women play the villain. Like with romance, I enjoy thrillers that incorporate genre or speculative elements. I lean more towards thrillers vs straight horror, but I am open to horror that is psychological, suspenseful, or speculative . I’m really interested in folk horror or Appalachian writers/settings/folklore. I'm looking for a quality ghost story. I’m always looking for campy thrillers/horror.

I’M NOT THE AGENT FOR… Detective thrillers in the adult market. Thrillers where sexual violence is a core plot device.

Upmarket / Book Club / Women's Fiction

For Upmarket Fiction, I enjoy books that’ll shatter the heart with poetic language. I also enjoy stories that experiment with form and/or tell stories in a nonlinear way. I’m open to being surprised in this genre.
I'm interested in titles that are about coming into oneself or one's identity, especially when it involves a reconnection to culture, sexuality, or gender.

I'm always eager to see books about people who experience an event that pushes them to go after some quirky or unexpected passion.

Science Fiction

I am still open to Science fiction, but I'm more specific about what I'm interested in. Afrofuturism – even more so if there’s ties to Hoodoo or rootwork. Cyberpunk, Time travel/multiverse type of sci-fi, Solarpunk and sci-fi with a kind of eco-focus, Dystopians and Utopians, especially if they have the feel of the YA market in the late 2000’s. Sci-fi that feels horror in nature, especially if bringing in cultures outside of the US.

I’M NOT THE AGENT FOR… If the book’s plot revolves a lot around aliens, in a familiar way, I’m not really interested. If the book takes place on another planet, it may be tough for me. If the book has AI as a core element, I’m a tough sell. If it’s military sci-fi, I am not really interested.

Genre-Benders

I’m always interested in seeing titles that borrow from multiple genres, even more so if the line level writing feels lyrical or literary.

Huge fan of “weird girl lit.” Would love to see some Horroromance, Historical Horror, Cozy Sci-Fi.

Not prescriptive, just examples. Also, if it's campy and gay, I'm intrigued.

Picture Books

Fiction

Things I am looking for: Books with a magical realism/speculative bend that are whimsical, multi-lingual and multi-cultural.
I'd love more books that highlight culture. Stories that help children understand new and big emotional concepts. Characters that are bold, witty, and funny. I'm always looking for retellings and reimaginings of folk tales, myths. Or folklore inspired.

I generally don't prefer stories where the MC is anything other than a human. I’m a hard sell on rhyming.

Nonfiction

My search for nonfiction picture books will be limited, but it will be similar to my fiction list. I want books that highlight new figures and elements of history or culture from outside the US. I want books that show children possibilities in the world. Always looking for titles that take big concepts and make them digestible for children.

Not really looking for history books focused on US history—unless it is highlighting suppressed history.

Nonfiction (Adult)

Esoteric / Spirituality

I'm open to seeing proposals for esoteric and spiritual topics. I prefer those that have a decolonized approach, are linked to ancestral practices, or make topics accessible. Keep in mind I have a background in folk practices and astrology.

Cookbooks

As a foodie who has many food allergies (so I'm always cooking) and a huge collection of cookbooks I'm open to repesenting cookbook authors. I prefer those that share cultural recipes, have a unique approach to an already done topic, or those that are linked to other popculture topics.

Subrights for Indie Authors

Audiobook and Foreign Language Rights

I'm open to working with authors who are only looking for subright representation (audio and foreign primarily). I'm primarily interested in romance (all subgenres) and thrillers for both adult and YA market. To query for subrights, you'll follow the same process, but please specify in your queyr letter that you are only looking for subright representation. I'll also need an idea of your current sales numbers and platform. While very high numbers are not REQUIRED for me, personally, it's helpful info to have and will help in my decision making process.

Some Notes . . .

Currently reading queries from late January 2026.

Please allow 120 days for full/partial requests.

I plan to reply to every single query. Please do not follow up on your query unless it’s been more than 90 days or the above timeline is after your query.
About the wishlist: While this is not prescriptive, it’s what I’m prioritizing. You’re welcome to send something outside of this if you think it’s a fit. Please do not send me manuscripts for categories I’m not representing.
I do not represent poetry, short story collections, essay collections, graphic novels, memoir, novellas, middle grade or early reader, or graphic novels.

Submission Guidelines

V. will be open for queries April 15-22. Please only send submissions through Query Tracker.

For all queries, please include a query letter and a one sentence pitch. 

For picture books, please upload the full manuscript. 

For nonfiction, you’ll be asked to include the full proposal with a writing sample. 

For subright queries, please provide all audience information you can along with sales numbers. Audience info can mean newsletter subscribers, social media follower count, events and engagements per year, etc, versus just follower count. 

 

How to Submit

Learn more about the agency I work with or send a query through my query tracker. 

My Clients

Marissa Lili Nicole

Picture book author based in Seattle, WA. Author of Julius the Moodiest.

Meghan Rainey

Romance author exploring grief and healing.

Piper L. White

Sapphic YA thriller author. Author of All (Dead) Girls Lie.