Silvia Molteni

Silvia Molteni is the head of the children’s and YA books department at PFD. She manages her own list of clients alongside selling foreign and audio rights in our children’s and YA titles. The Bookseller named Silvia 2019’s Rising Star.

What I'm looking for...

I am primarily looking for middle grade and YA fiction. I generally gravitate towards voice and character driven narratives, as well as literary fiction and beautiful writing, which I prefer over complex plots and extensive world building.

In middle grade novels, I enjoy contemporary and realistic settings and magical realism the most. I love clever humour, but I am always keen to read fiction with endearing characters, mind-blowing adventures and stories with lots of heart. That said, I’m open to all genres, including fantasy, horror, dark and Gothic tales in MG. Some personal favourites are Holes by Louis Sachar, The Witches by Roald Dahl, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Meteorite Spoon by Philip Ridley and The Paul Street Boys by Ferenc Molnar.

On the YA side, I’m looking for fiction across all genres, with a preference for upmarket, literary and voice-driven contemporary and coming-of-age stories. I’m currently on the lookout for an original hook in the psychological thriller space, as well as atmospheric horror, sweeping rom-coms and gripping, rebellious dystopian stories. Light fantasy is of interest, while commercial fantasy that involves extensive world building, high word-count or multi-book series is generally not for me. Some examples of YA I’ve enjoyed: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, Alice and the Fly by James Rice, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

I’m open to original non-fiction books aimed at children and YA – from memoir to manuals, popular science and humorous books.

I’m selectively taking on picture books, both in the fiction and non-fiction space; I’m generally drawn to read-out-loud stories rooted in comedy and heart, compelling and original characters, interactive books and stand-out hooks.

Finally, I’m also open to illustrators’ portfolios, across all ages, whether for graphic novels (from chapter books to YA) and picture book artists.