Serendipity Literary Agency

10/24/2025

Message from CEO, Association of American Literary Agents President, and People of Publishing Conference Co-Producer Regina Brooks:

At the AALA People of Publishing Conference, talking about the realities and challenges of the work we do was the theme of the day. But it was also about honoring how we as a community overcame those challenges together and recognizing the inspiring individuals whose hard work and dedication have made significant contributions to the industry.

To close out the conference, we held a special celebratory reception to truly honor the people of publishing and celebrate Lauren MacLeod and Sarah Lazin, winners of the Gailey and Impact Awards. And seeing the whole room celebrate their colleagues, even if they had never met before this moment, was an incredible experience.

These are the kinds of personal connections we want to foster at the People of Publishing Conference, ones that will shape the future of publishing and deepen our sense of community.

10/24/2025

author Dr. Ceallaigh MacCath-Moran will be moderating the "Shapeshifting Stories" panel at the World Fantasy Convention next Saturday, November 1st!

The panel will explore our fascination with folk narratives, what draws authors to reimagine these stories, and why scholars have a renewed interest in studying them, and what purpose they play around the world.

Featured panelists:
- Abie Longstaff, Chair of the Children's Writers and Illustrator Group at the Society of Authors, and author of over ten children's books, including The Fairytale Hairdresser series
- Lucy Holland, author of SISTERSONG and SONG OF THE HUNTRESS
- V.L. Bovalino: author of MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE, THE SECOND DEATH OF LOCKE, and NOT GOOD FOR MAIDENS

A membership is required to attend the event. You can purchase one here: https://worldfantasy2025.co.uk/

The World Fantasy Convention (WFC) is an annual gathering to celebrate Fantasy & Horror. It brings together professionals working within the genres, particularly within the fields of literature and art. 2025’s event also includes Fantasycon, the UK’s annual fantasy and horror convention run by the British Fantasy Society. Both welcome authors, editors, artists, poets, publishers, agents, critics, reviewers, and bloggers, academics, script and games writers, podcasters, and readers. Anyone who is involved in the industry and all those who love fantasy and horror are welcome. This event will include the award ceremonies for both the British Fantasy Awards and the World Fantasy Awards.

10/23/2025

Message from CEO, Association of American Literary Agents President, and People of Publishing Conference Co-Producer Regina Brooks:

How does hearing from financial leaders benefit editors? Or why should agents and editors understand the demands of the film industry? The answers to those questions were what the Conference was all about.

Working in publishing can be a siloed profession, and it's not often that we can connect to others outside of our departments or the industry. But establishing those vital connections is the key to opening the door of opportunities for ourselves and our authors.

And by giving publishing professionals from across the industry, from agents to CEOs, the chance to convene in one place, bridge gaps, and ask questions, we create opportunities for meaningful growth and gain the knowledge on how to navigate the changing publishing landscape with instinctive strategies and resilience.

10/22/2025

Message from CEO, Association of American Literary Agents President, and People of Publishing Conference Co-Producer Regina Brooks:

At the , we honored the people who make publishing work. Agents, editors, marketers, publicists, and executives of publishing were given a full day to invest in themselves professionally and grow and learn with their colleagues from across the industry through informative panels and intimate roundtables to connect agents and editors.

But what truly made the day were the honest conversations, the practical advice, and insider insight about the realities of our work, and knowing that by sharing our knowledge with each other, we create a stronger community.

Thank you to everyone who made our first conference a success, including the AALA members who helped put it together, the sponsors—Spotify, The Black List, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, Kickstarter, Penguin Random House, Association of Writers and Writing Programs, and so many more— for making it possible, the panelists for sharing their expert insight with their peers, and to the people of publishing for showing up and believing in publishing as much as I do.

If you work in publishing, this is the room you need to be in

10/21/2025

Message from CEO and AWP Executive Board Member Regina Brooks:

Since its founding in 1967, the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) has continued to evolve and change, finding new ways and innovative strategies to nourish the next generation of Black writers.

These initiatives would not be possible without the support of our dedicated members and the students, faculty, and authors who attend the AWP Conference every year, but also the incredible leaders who guide the AWP to new horizons, believe in our initiatives, and do everything they can to see them implemented. Without them, the HBCU MFA Think Tank from last year would not have been possible.

That's why I'm proud to see Michelle Aielli appointed as the AWP's newest Executive Director. With over 25 years of publishing experience and having managed campaigns for authors like James Patterson, Donna Tartt, and Keith Richards, I'm excited to see how she brings the same level of dedication to championing bestselling authors to supporting the next generation.

Congratulations, Michelle, your innovative vision will not only support the AWP and continue its mission to amplify the writers, academic programs, and organizations that serve them, but also inspire the writing community to rise up to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

To learn more about Michelle, the future of literary arts, and how the AWP meets the needs of its members, you can read the full interview here: https://www.pw.org/content/qa_michelle_aielli_leads_awp

And be sure to order your copy of the Nov/Dec 2025 issue of Poets & Writers Magazine.

The new executive director of AWP discusses her path from publishing to arts administration and shares what gives her hope for the literary arts.

10/20/2025

CEO Regina Brooks will be a guest panelist at the Gathering of the Ghosts on November 11th!

She will be featured on the "Agent-Ghost Dynamics" panel, which will focus on the relationship between agents and ghostwriters and how to nurture this crucial dynamic to not only ensure positive outcomes, i.e. selling a proposal, for agents and ghosts, but also editors and authors.

Regina will be joined by Anthony Mattero, Books Agent, CAA, Madeleine Morel, Founder, 2M Communications, and Valerie Frankel, Agent, Aevitas Creative Management.

The panel will be moderated by Becka Oliver, Director of Talent and VP, Kevin Anderson & Associates.

Tickets are required for this event, and they are limited. You can purchase them here: https://gothamghostwriters.com/gathering-of-the-ghosts/

The Gathering of the Ghosts, hosted by Gotham Ghostwriters and the Association of Ghostwriters, is an event designed to support ghostwriters and elevate the profession as a viable career path through networking, awards, and education.

10/16/2025

CEO and founder Regina Brooks was featured on a recent episode of the Memoir Nation podcast!

Talking with hosts Brooke Warner and Grant Faulkner, they highlight the various types of memoirs, what differentiates those that sell well from those that simply move people, the importance of finding a hook for your story, how memoirists writing about heavy topics such as trauma can position their stories within the market without feeling like they're commercializing their pain, and Regina's advice for aspiring memoirists.

You can use this link to listen to the full episode:

Podcast Episode · Memoir Nation · 10/13/2025 · 53m

10/15/2025

Associate Agent Ameerah Holliday will be attending the 2025 Online Seattle Writing Workshop's "How to Get Published" writing event on November 7-8!

This two-day event gives writers of all genres the opportunity to meet literary agents and editors, ask questions about the publishing process, learn how to market themselves and their books, write queries and pitches, and position their manuscript within a genre landscape. Attendees will also have the opportunity to pitch to an agent or editor!

Registration is required. You can use this link to sign up: https://theseattlewritingworkshop.com/

10/14/2025

Happy Book Birthday to debut author Madison Butler for LET THEM SEE YOU: EMPOWERING CHANGE THROUGH AUTHENTICITY!

This eye-opening playbook for creating safe, inclusive workplaces is a can’t-miss book for human resources practitioners, managers, business owners, and anyone else with an interest in enriching their understanding of what it means to demonstrate―and appreciate―authenticity.

Find it online or at a bookstore near you! You can order a copy here: https://bookshop.org/a/10902/978139429430

Available now from Wiley.

10/13/2025

Message from CEO Regina Brooks:

The intersection of AI, copyright, and creativity is redefining the publishing landscape.

As President of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA), I’ve spent the past year helping our members navigate the complex realities of the Anthropic case and the broader legal questions it raises about data, authorship, and the future of intellectual property.

I’ll be moderating an AWP webinar where our distinguished panel — Umair Kazi of the Authors Guild, Jaime Wolf, AALA’s General Counsel, and Thad McIlroy, publishing technology analyst — will unpack the ever-shifting legal landscape surrounding AI and copyright and share practical best practices for writers.

This conversation is about shaping the future of our creative ecosystem with fairness, foresight, and innovation at the center.
The intersection of AI, copyright, and creativity is redefining the publishing landscape.

This free, member-only event will take place next Tuesday, October 21st, at 1:00 PM ET. You can learn more here: https://www.awpwriter.org/AWP/Magazine-Media/Writers-News/WNFY26/Event-Authors-Rights-in-the-Age-of-AI.aspx

10/10/2025

Message from CEO Regina Brooks:

Yesterday, I shared how it filled me with such joy to see my longtime friend and colleague George Ford honored with the Eric Carle Museum Artist Award — a recognition that affirms what so many of us have long known: George is the heart of a movement and the soul of an age.

To honor him, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art put together a collage of George's artwork through the years, and as it played, a band performed a beautifully assembled jazz piece, perfectly setting the mood for George's welcome to the stage.

As I once wrote about him:
“With every stroke, you studied the line,
Chasing the sacred through form and design.
You stood with the movement, your palette a fist,
Painting the stories the world nearly missed.”

George found his home “between covers and spines, where children could read and see powerful signs that they too were worthy, that they could belong, that their truth held beauty, they just had to be strong.”

Through his art, generations of children have seen themselves reflected with dignity and grace. His work reminds us that picture books can do more than delight; they can empower, affirm, and expand what young readers believe is possible.