Regina Brooks is the founder of Serendipity Literary Agency and one of publishing's most prominent advocates for diverse voices, with a particular focus on narrative nonfiction, commercial fiction, and books by and for underrepresented communities.
In brief
Regina Brooks founded Serendipity Literary Agency and has built it into one of the most recognized boutique agencies championing authors of color and underrepresented perspectives across both fiction and nonfiction.
Their deal record skews heavily toward narrative nonfiction — including memoir, history, health, and self-help — suggesting that even when Regina Brooks expresses openness to fiction, nonfiction is where the deepest publisher relationships likely live.
Brooks has a reputation for working closely with debut authors and guiding them through multiple books, making Serendipity a particularly strong fit for writers seeking a long-term career partnership rather than a single-book transaction.
The agency has demonstrable reach into major commercial imprints, indicating an ability to place books not just with mission-aligned indie presses but with mainstream publishers capable of wide distribution.
Writers should verify current submission guidelines directly before querying, as intake preferences at boutique agencies can shift without broad public notice.
Lately
Brooks has consistently emphasized a desire to champion authors whose stories have been historically excluded from mainstream publishing, framing the agency's mission as not just commercial but corrective — filling gaps in the cultural record.
What Regina is looking for
Brooks has a long, well-documented track record placing narrative nonfiction with major publishers. Memoir with a strong cultural or social lens, history told through compelling personal stories, and reported nonfiction that illuminates underrepresented experiences are all squarely in the wheelhouse. Proposals should demonstrate both a platform and a distinctive authorial voice — dry recitations of facts without a narrative spine are unlikely to connect.
Health, wellness, and self-improvement books — especially those grounded in research and aimed at readers of color or other underserved audiences — represent a consistent thread in the Serendipity catalog. Brooks responds to practical, solution-oriented writing anchored in genuine expertise and an identifiable audience.
Brooks welcomes commercial fiction with high-concept hooks and culturally specific, fully realized worlds. Stories centered on characters of color and written with both entertainment value and emotional depth are a good match. Literary fiction that also has breakout commercial potential is considered on a selective basis.
YA with a distinctive voice and culturally resonant themes is welcomed. Brooks has expressed interest in stories that don't shy away from complexity — protagonists navigating identity, community, and ambition in ways that feel authentic rather than issue-driven. Both contemporary and genre-inflected YA are of interest.
Middle grade and children's projects are considered selectively. Diverse characters and fresh perspectives are a consistent priority. Note: picture books are typically considered only from author-illustrators, not from writers submitting text alone — confirm the current guideline before querying in this format.
Business books with a strong narrative angle — especially those exploring entrepreneurship, leadership, or economic justice through the lens of underrepresented communities — align with the agency's broader mission. Current affairs and social justice nonfiction with a clear argument and authoritative voice are also welcome.
Not the right fit
On Regina's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Regina
Lead with your hook in the first sentence — Brooks has indicated that queries which bury the premise lose traction immediately.
For nonfiction, submit a polished proposal alongside or shortly after your query; Brooks has publicly emphasized that the proposal's market analysis and platform sections are where most submissions fall short, so invest real time in those sections.
Make the cultural specificity of your project explicit — don't assume it will be inferred. If your book speaks to or emerges from an underrepresented community, say so directly and explain why you are the right person to write it.
Demonstrate platform credentials for nonfiction: audience size, media presence, professional authority, or community leadership should all be stated concretely, not vaguely.
Query one project at a time and tailor the letter to Serendipity's stated mission; generic query blasts are unlikely to resonate with an agency that positions itself around intentional, mission-driven representation.
Verify the current submission guidelines on the agency's website immediately before querying — boutique agency policies can change, and an outdated approach risks an automatic pass.