caitlyn averett

BIO

Caitlyn Averett (she/her) is a former editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and James Patterson’s JIMMY, where she acquired books such as Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, Just Shy of Ordinary by A.J. Sass, the Daughter of Sparta series by Claire M. Andrews, and Nura and the Immortal Palace by M.T. Kahn. Caitlyn has a master’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University, a BFA in dance performance from the University of the Arts, and currently works at Hachette Book Group/Running Press on the production team. 

Caitlyn writes about flawed characters, coming of age, small towns, and bittersweet stories that hurt but that end with happily ever afters. Her debut novel, Not Your Typical Love Story, comes out with Macmillan/Wednesday Books in early 2027, and is a heartfelt YA romance pitched as Loveless meets You’ve Got Mail about two aspec academic rivals who find themselves in the precarious situation of needing to fake date each other in order to not lose everything they care about.   

Caitlyn currently lives in upstate NY, and grew up in the middle of the forest in a small town you’ve probably never heard of, on top of a hill you’ll probably never find. Follow her online as c.r_averett on social media or at caitlynaverett.com.

MSWL

WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR:

I’m on the lookout for stories with unforgettable characters and voice, and am also interested in hooky concepts, character-driven stories, and commercial writing. I’d especially love to work with an author whose book includes aspec characters (aromantic and/or asexual). I’m open to MG, YA, or YA-crossover/NA, though the sweet spot for me is YA. 

I’m drawn to stories with strong relationship at the core, whether that be friendships (or ex-friendships), rivalries, romantic relationships, or family relationships. I’m also a fan of morally gray characters, psychological twists, nonlinear formats, and hooky concepts that make me think or question some part of the world—whether that be the universe itself or human nature. I want characters who feel real, and stories with deep emotional undercurrents that speak to situations, feelings, and thoughts of everyday people, even if the story is set beyond our world.  

I love a good trope (enemies to lovers will always get me! And fake dating or secret identities? Yes, please!), and am drawn to stories that are layered and emotional, that make you cry and laugh or throw the book across the room, and above all, I’m looking for stories that hook me from the first line (both with the concept and voice), that won’t let me stop reading at the end of a chapter, and that stick with me even after I’ve reached the last page.

As an editor, my focus was always on acquiring and supporting marginalized authors, and that is also a focus of mine as I look for a mentee to work with at RTM. 


WHAT I’M NOT LOOKING FOR:


I’m not the right person for historical fiction or high fantasy/sci-fi. Basically if it’s not set in some form of our contemporary world, it’s not right for me. I love reading high fantasy/sci-fi now and then and love watching a good historical TV show, but they’re not my thing as an editor/mentor.