Kendyll Drilling

Kendyll Drilling has been reading since the age of three, and she has never lost her appetite for reading. She never planned on pursuing literature as a career, but after an accident left her paralyzed, she decided it was in her best interest to focus on something that has always made her happy. This path led her to freelance editing manuscripts and going to college for a dual degree in English Literature and European History. Knowing her options would be limited due to her condition, she is excited and thankful for the opportunity to work with the team at Covrisiero Literary Agency.

Kendyll’s favorite type of books are intricate fantasy novels and historical novels set before the 20th century, but she enjoys novels of all genres, as long as there compelling characters and a plot that transports her to another world. Apart from reading, Kendyll also enjoys copious amounts of tea, music, and funny tee-shirts.

Kendyll is mostly interested in fiction for young adult, new adult, and adult. She is hoping to find some underrepresented voices and bring them to the forefront but will review each project submitted to her equally. She particularly enjoys character-driven stories with dark themes and unique narrative voices.

For YA & Adult audiences, Kendyll is looking for:

• Fantasy and Magical Realism with a balance between character and plot with strong imagery (soft spot for religious and philosophical themes).
  • Comps: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow

 

• Speculative Fiction written with intent to spark a larger conversation or make the reader uncomfortable by way of characterization or social constructs.
  • Comps: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

 

• Stories with Folklore, Mythology, and Fairytale elements (or retellings), especially those that may not be as well known, with dark themes and subverted expectations.
  • Comps: Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher, Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid, Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

• Literary Fiction of all flavors, notably those with morally grey/unlikable characters, gothic and dark academia themes, and memorable prose.
  • Comps: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

• Historical Fiction set before the 20th century (1900).
  • Comps: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

• Immersive and well-researched (but still easy to follow and understand) Science Fiction.
  • Comps: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, The Martian by Andy Weir, Red Rising by Pierce Brown

• Time travel stories with set rules and implications.
  • Comps: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, 11.22.63 by Stephen King

• #OwnVoices narratives exploring topics of mental health, disability, chronic illness, cultural identity, gender and sexuality, and femininity. Make it weird, queer, fantastical, etc. I’m here for all of it.
  • Comps: I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Kendyll is not a good fit for:

• Retellings of/Sequels to classic novels or narratives using pre-established characters from classics (i.e. Ophelia by Lisa Klein; A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson; Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith)
• Cozy Fantasy (i.e. Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree)
• Military and Political Fiction without Fantasy/Sci-Fi elements
• Commercial Romance
• True Crime stories
• Climate/Apocalyptic Fiction
• Horror
• Humor/Satire

Books Kendyll enjoys:

• Babel by R.F. Kuang
• The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini
• Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
• Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
• Looking for Alaska by John Green

Query Guidelines

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Manuscript Wish List