Gemma Paynter [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent with PS Literary.

Gemma is actively acquiring general adult fiction as well as nonfiction that subverts expectations.

In fiction, she loves immersive atmosphere, sharp observation, twisty storytelling, and offbeat wit. She is especially interested in folktale-inspired horror and fantasy, gothic mystery and romance, fantasies featuring mundane magic, puzzle-driven mysteries, and cozy stories that feel hopeful yet grounded, like a Studio Ghibli movie. She has a soft spot for “weird girl” literary fiction, general fiction, unreliable narrators, and true rom-coms — make her laugh! She is drawn to work that takes an irreverent, witty approach to the macabre and is always on the lookout for projects that capture the strange, uncanny magic of “Twin Peaks.” She encourages submissions from underrepresented voices, especially those centering characters who don’t often get to be the protagonist.

In nonfiction, she is drawn to narrative projects that bring niche subjects to a wide readership, particularly those that blend memoir with expertise. Her interests include pop culture, pop science, fashion, design, literary commentary, and the history of subcultures and counterculture.