Olivia Sun

Bio

Olivia Sun is a Chinese-American writer living in Baltimore, Maryland. As the child of immigrants, she’s passionate about telling stories from the diaspora, full of love, family, and self-exploration. When she’s not writing, she can be found hiking with her snaggletoothed rescue dog and crafting with her friends.

Olivia is currently represented by Molly Ketcheson at Wolfson Literary and is open to mentoring fantasy, contemporary, and romance novels (as well as any blend), from young adult to adult. As a former RTM mentee, she is passionate about empowering querying writers and helping them navigate a very difficult and convoluted landscape, especially those from marginalized communities.

MSWL

My tastes are extremely broad. From young adult to adult, I love all things speculative and romantic, whether set in our world or not. Upmarket novels tend to be my sweet spot, with an even blend of character and plot. Clear emotional arcs and well-drawn magic systems are really important to me, and I'm often enticed by complicated family relationships, sweeping slow-burn romances, and rich friendships. My favorite books range anywhere from high-octane to quiet, commercial to literary, but as long as there's meaningful contemplation and sharp, purposeful prose, I'll be happy. Spice is also fine!

Since it's so hard to clearly articulate the kinds of stories I gravitate toward, here are some of my favorite books in no particular order (sorry for the long list—I had such a hard time choosing!): 

If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang 

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna 

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Six Crimson Cranes by Judy Lim 

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

The Leavers by Lisa Ko 

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour

Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner 

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross 

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante 

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng 

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Please note: I don't have specific trigger warnings. I also generally don't love books with women being catty toward each other, abusive relationships disguised as enemies-to-lovers, the Chosen One trope, insta-love, and Mary Sues (i.e. if your main character becomes an overnight expert in everything they do, you've lost me!). 

If you're not sure about fit, please feel free to submit to me anyway! I will never force any of my opinions/critiques on you or your manuscript, and I'm always surprised by the books I end up loving. Thanks!