Kelly Thomas is a generalist associate agent at Serendipity Literary Agency with a sharp eye for psychological depth, anti-heroes, and true crime — equally at home in commercial nonfiction and dark adult fiction, with a selective children's list rounding out her practice.
In brief
Her agency page reveals she is genuinely broad — nonfiction is her widest lane, spanning memoir, true crime, self-help, STEM, music/film, psychology, and cultural commentary — yet her fiction taste skews dark and morally complex almost exclusively.
Her stated love of anti-heroes and morally ambiguous protagonists is a through-line across every fiction category she names; writers without that psychological tension should look elsewhere.
A recent public signal (May 2026) shows active, enthusiastic interest in MG, YA, and adult fiction featuring a female 'baddie' lead — pirates, valkyries, warrior queens, mythological goddesses, bandits — suggesting her children's and YA appetite is narrower and more specific than her general page implies.
She holds professional memberships in both the film/TV and literary worlds (NYWFT, WIF, AALA) and has a feature film in development herself — a meaningful signal that she thinks about her books' adaptation potential.
Her submission form was observed closed as of May 27, 2026; writers should verify the live form before querying, as her stated interests remain active.
Lately
I’m thrilled to be participating in Industry Engagement Day presented by @thewritingbarn.bsky.social on July 18th. I’ll be on the Picture Book Palooza II panel & I’m providing written manuscript critiques. Best of luck to everyone!
I’m still actively looking for MG, YA or adult fiction with a female baddie main character. Think female pirate, shield maiden, valkyrie, warrior queen, mythological goddess, bandit or outlaw. #WritingCommunity
Someone is impersonating me using a fake email Kelly.serendipityliteraryagency@gmail.com to request manuscripts. THIS IS NOT ME! I do NOT use Gmail for submissions. Don't send them your manuscript. Please share to protect other writers. DM me if this person has contacted you. I'm taking legal action
Looking for fiction audiobook recommendations that are light, fun & uplifting. I’ve been reading heavier nonfiction (just finished Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre, The Book of Murder by Matt Murphy, & Chasing Evil by Robert Hilliard) & would love something more escapist. No romance. Suggestions?
She posted an active call for MG, YA, or adult fiction led by a female villain-type protagonist — naming female pirates, shield maidens, valkyries, warrior queens, mythological goddesses, bandits, and outlaws as examples of the archetype she's hunting.
What Kelly is looking for
This is among her most emphasized categories. She wants manuscripts with a rigorous, methodical structure — the kind where the real events feel as propulsive and twisty as a thriller novel. A strong, original angle on the crime or the perpetrator's psychology is essential. Platform and subject expertise help but are not always required if the narrative is strong enough.
She wants fast-paced, plot-driven fiction with genuine surprise — unexpected turns that reframe everything. Most importantly, she wants morally complicated protagonists: anti-heroes who are simultaneously repellent and magnetic, characters who blur the line between hero and villain. Stories told from an unusual or unsettling psychological perspective are a particular draw.
Character-driven horror with literary roots is her sweet spot — she gravitates toward the gothic and the psychologically eerie rather than pure gore. Classic horror sensibility (the uncanny, the morally corrupt, the seductive monster) matters more than shock value.
Her broadest category and arguably her deepest expertise. She represents the full spectrum: memoir, self-help, prescriptive and practical guides, business, STEM, psychology, health and fitness, travel, nature, food and drink, music, film, investigative journalism, social theory, and cultural commentary. She actively seeks 'big idea' books that synthesize culture, history, and lived human experience — works that make readers think differently. Expert-driven, platform-driven, and subject-driven projects are all welcome. She particularly enjoys working with musicians, athletes, and television personalities on narrative or expertise-based books.
She lists humor alongside her darker fiction interests, suggesting she can represent comedic adult fiction — but given the rest of her wishlist skews dark, a comic novel with a sharp psychological or satirical edge is likely the best fit.
As of May 2026, she is actively and enthusiastically seeking stories — across middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction — where the central character is a female villain or morally ruthless protagonist. Her specific examples include female pirates, shield maidens, valkyries, warrior queens, mythological goddesses, bandits, and outlaws. This is a targeted, passion-driven call and represents her most specific and current wishlist signal.
She takes a limited number of children's projects, including picture books and young adult titles. Her agency page notes a particular interest in stories that feature [the source fragment ends here, suggesting specific criteria she names elsewhere]. Given her broader taste for strong voices, diverse perspectives, and psychological complexity, children's submissions should reflect those values. Writers should verify any additional criteria on her live agency page before submitting.
Not the right fit
On Kelly's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Kelly
Verify the form is open before drafting your query — it was closed as of late May 2026 but she has been actively posting wishlists, suggesting she reopens periodically.
Lead with your protagonist's psychological complexity. Her touchstone titles are united by one thing: a protagonist who is disturbing yet magnetic. Name that tension in your first paragraph.
If you're pitching fiction, specify the moral architecture of your lead character — anti-hero, villain protagonist, or deeply flawed narrator. This is her primary filter.
For nonfiction, front-load your credentials, platform, and the specific angle that makes your take fresh. She distinguishes between expert-driven, platform-driven, and subject-driven projects — identify which yours is.
Her May 2026 wishlist signal for a female 'baddie' protagonist is specific and fresh — if your MG, YA, or adult project fits that archetype, call it out explicitly in your opening line.
Her film and TV background is real: if your book has strong adaptation potential (high-concept premise, cinematic pacing, a role that would attract talent), it is worth a brief mention — but don't lead with it over the story itself.
She teaches synopsis and query-letter craft professionally — she will notice sloppy query mechanics. A clean, precise query letter signals you take the craft seriously, which matters to her.
Children's and picture book submissions should reflect her stated selectivity — review her live agency page for any additional criteria before submitting, as her fragment on this category was incomplete.