Christina Zobel (she/her) is the Subsidiary Rights Associate at JABberwocky Literary. She manages foreign and audio rights in addition to a small client list.
She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a dual degree in English and Greco-Roman history. Before joining JABberwocky, she worked at Harlequin Books (HarperCollins) and has previously interned with Simone Garzella Book Scouting, Anthem Press, and Folio Literary Management.
Beyond her literary interests, she is an avid fan of videogames, can be found laughing or crying at the latest episodes of Critical Role and Dimension 20, and plays a truly absurd amount of Tabletop RPGs (who doesn’t love adventures with friends!).
How to Query Me
I’m currently closed to unsolicited queries. The next time I’ll be open to submissions will likely be summer 2026.
Please follow the instructions to upload your submission via QueryManager. The submission should include a query letter, synopsis, and the first two chapters of your manuscript:
https://QueryManager.com/ChristinaZobel
I do not take queries via email or over the phone.
What I’m Looking For
Before I dive into genre-specific items, here are a few things that I’m looking for across the board: complex family dynamics, transformative coming-of-age experiences, LGBTQ+ characters, stories featuring disabled or neurodivergent protagonists, and multicultural or BIPOC stories of all types. Everyone should have the chance to see themselves represented in stories, especially historically marginalized groups.
I’m currently considering adult and new adult submissions in romance, romantasy, and upmarket fiction.
At this time, I am NOT interested in receiving queries for the following genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Literary Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and Nonfiction (of any type).
Romance
I’m searching for most subgenres in the romance space, and want to see everything from sweeping, emotional love stories to fast-paced narratives with lots of hijinks and banter. Specific areas of interest include contemporary romance, romantic comedy, historical romance, LGBTQ+ romance, and anything that can be described as “witchy.”
As a former equestrian, I have a soft spot for horses and would also love to see western/cowboy romance. Novels that take place at university are welcome, and my long-shot, dream wishlist item is a new adult romance set against the backdrop of college marching band.
Favorite tropes include grumpy/sunshine, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, and second chance romance. I’m looking for all spice levels in romance.
Recent favorites:
- The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
- Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
- How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
- Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
- The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Romantasy
I’m an avid romantasy reader and am seeking submissions in most subgenres. I have a particular preference towards character-driven stories, secondary worlds, fairytale and myth retellings, sweeping historical sagas, and moody dark academia. I especially want romantasy that can be described as “cozy” – the kind of books that have deep emotional stakes but leave you with the feeling of a warm hug after closing the last page.
Other elements I enjoy: found family, sapphic love stories, animal companions, gothic settings, and plant-based magic (I have a collection of over 30 houseplants!).
Favorite tropes include grumpy/sunshine, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, and second chance romance. I’m looking for all spice levels in romantasy.
Recent favorites:
- The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton
- Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos
- Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
- Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
- A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L Jensen
Upmarket Fiction
This category also includes women’s fiction, book club fiction, and historical fiction. I’m not the best fit for psychological suspense.
For contemporary, I want to see high concept premises with a bite and books that cast current social issues in a new light. For historical, I’m open to all time periods but stories set in the ancient era are especially welcome (I studied Greco-Roman history at university). Specific elements I’d love to see include family sagas, bookshop settings, and stories about friendships that stand the test of time.
This is one area where I would also be open to speculative fiction that crosses over into other genres: myth retellings (ala Madeline Miller), magical realism, a touch of the supernatural, and time travel/timeslip are all fair game. However, it needs to remain grounded and be accessible to a general audience — please do not send hard fantasy, science fiction, or horror.
Recent favorites:
- Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
- Circe by Madeline Miller
- The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley