The Cheshire Cat is the only character in Wonderland who listens to Alice. Drawing inspiration from the relationship between these two Lewis Carroll characters, at Mad Cat, we’re dedicated to being listeners as much as readers and guides as much as creative partners. We strive to amplify stories that resonate with a genuine understanding of today’s youth by authors who have listened to young adult voices. We want the books we publish to engage and amuse readers, create perplexing conversations, and raise philosophical points. We believe in the transformative power of storytelling and are committed to delivering narratives that entertain, enlighten, inspire, and educate.
Our Purpose
We are more than just a publishing imprint. We are the purveyors of young adult tales that leave a lasting impression on readers’ minds and hearts. Mad Cat is the guardian of extraordinary narratives and stories that unveil new realms, perspectives, and potentials. Our team serves as guides and creative partners for our authors, helping them craft tales that will foster a community of readers who embrace diversity and empathy, united by the love of storytelling.
Discovering Uncharted Voices
In pursuing literary excellence, we actively seek fresh, authentic voices, hunting for talented writers with the raw potential to craft remarkable stories. We pair them with seasoned publishing professionals who mentor and guide them. Together, we nurture these voices, empowering them to find their unique resonance in the literary landscape.
Crafting Excellence
We understand that transforming a good story into a great one is a journey. Like the Cheshire Cat, we aim to guide our authors through Wonderland–the literary world, if you will.
We’ll give you insight on how to improve your story and your storycraft. We understand there isn’t only one way to write a good story. Unlike our beloved mascot, though, we do care where your journey will take you, so it does matter which road you take, but we’re open to exploring all paths that lead to new adventures, happily-ever-afters, or even tea parties.
Just like the Cheshire Cat’s grin, we want our stories to linger in the hearts and minds of our readers long after the book has been closed. Through meticulous refinement, collaboration, and dedication, we ensure that each story we publish is brilliantly polished before sending it out to the world.
Introducing Dreams to the World
Imagination knows no bounds at Mad Cat, and storytelling holds transformative power. Just as the Cheshire Cat rules his dreams, we empower our authors to unleash their creativity. Through collaborative efforts between our team and dedicated authors, we are committed to delivering captivating books to young adult readers.
Wishlist
We want Young Adult stories of fantasy, sci-fi, historical, horror, speculative, romance and romantasy (m/f, f/f/, m/m), westerns with sci-fi or fantastical elements, diverse and underrepresented voices, the villain’s story (think Heartless by Marissa Meyer), magic libraries and/or books, love triangles of any type—especially told from a unique pov (the one that doesn’t get the girl/guy), smart female characters, neurodivergent characters, and stories with diverse casts. We are NOT looking for erotica—stories that glorify abuse or violence of any kind– nothing racist, sexist, or homophobic. We don’t want “new adult” (which is not a category) stories–we want books that fit firmly in the young adult category (protagonists who are 13 to 18). For middle grade, please submit to Young Dragons.
Publisher
Lindsay Flanagan
Lindsay Flanagan is the co-publisher of Mad Cat, the young adult imprint of Roan & Weatherford. She is an award-winning editor and author and has worked in the publishing industry for a decade, editing for traditional publishers and working at literary agencies. She is also a senior editor at Eschler Editing, specializing in developmental and substantive editing and ghostwriting. Her debut novel, AnnaGrey and the Constellation, the first of six books in the Laéth Realm Adventures series, was published in August 2023. The next installment, Little Red Wraith, comes out in August 2024, with the third in the series, AnnaGrey and the Red Fox Girls, in April 2025.
Wishlist
Fantasy with great worldbuilding, unique settings, dark magic; Gothic, steampunk, alternate history; time travel; portal fantasy; westerns–yes, westerns–with magic!; Native American stories: historical, mythical, fantastic, contemporary; Mexican stories: historical, fantastic, contemporary; stories about girls whose hearts have been broken but rise above to empower themselves and other girls, not drag other girls down.
I fall in love with gorgeous prose like that of Laini Taylor and characters with a bit of darkness in them like Lada in Kiersten White’s And I Darken series. I’d love to see a classic literature reimagining of Dracula or Phantom of the Opera with a female lead, or stories set in Sleepy Hollow or a haunted carnival.
My favorite books of all time: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern And I Darken by Keirsten White The Horseman by Christina Henry Heartless by Marissa Meyer The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Enna Burning by Shannon Hale
Publisher
Sabine Berlin
Sabine Berlin is the co-publisher of Mad Cat, the young adult imprint of Roan and Weatherford Publishing. She is an avid reader of everything from Asimov to Austen, and has over twelve years experience as an editor with Eschler Editing, where she specializes in young adult fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. She has a passion for education and has degrees in History, Editing and Document Design, and Higher Education Leadership. Her YA science fiction novel And the Sky Full of Stars was released in 2022.
Wishlist
Strong sibling relationships Cryptids both creepy and funny Space mystery – Veronica Mars but on Mars! Steampunk Asian Style The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy humor with teenage kids who stole Mom and Dad’s spaceship while they were out of the galaxy for the weekend Contemporary or near future sci-fi Alternate realities with cool historical twists
My favorite YA books of all-time: Heartless by Marissa Meyer Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marrillier Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt Ender’s Game Orson by Scott Card Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
