Rita Veras is an Associate Agent at Rosecliff Literary who champions immersive, atmospheric fiction and empowering nonfiction, with a fierce focus on BIPOC, Latinx, and diaspora voices across genres from gothic historical to folklore-infused horror.
In brief
Rita is an Associate Agent actively building her list from scratch — this is an early-career opportunity to get in before her roster fills, but expect her taste to be genuinely specific, not a wide-open free-for-all.
Her wishlist is unusually broad in genre range (gothic historical, romantasy, rom-com, horror, literary fiction, nonfiction) but all roads lead to one non-negotiable axis: BIPOC and Latinx representation is the organizing principle, not a preference.
Her Dominican-Caribbean upbringing and time living abroad inform a deep appetite for diaspora narratives, folklore, immigrant experiences, and stories with cultural and political texture — pitches that ignore this dimension will likely underwhelm her.
She is a returning literary professional who spent nearly two decades in entrepreneurship coaching before pivoting back to publishing — her language around 'results-driven' and empowering authors suggests she will be an active, invested partner rather than a passive deal-closer.
No confirmed sales record is publicly available yet, so her taste must be read primarily through her wishlist; writers cannot yet benchmark her commercial muscle by past deals — but her early-career status also means she may take on projects more established agents would pass on.
Lately
In her Spring 2026 wishlist, Rita identified herself as actively building her client list and emphasized that she is passionately seeking BIPOC and Latinx authors and stories above all else — framing her search not as a preference but as a mission.
What Rita is looking for
Rita's single most emphasized fiction category. She wants moody, immersive historical narratives — particularly those set in the 1800s onward where the period itself shapes the story. Gothic atmosphere, layered timelines, and multigenerational scope are all signals she responds to. BIPOC and Latinx perspectives in this space are especially welcome.
Rooted in her Dominican childhood spent absorbing folklore that was 'sometimes spooky, sometimes humorous, often magical,' this is among her most personal categories. She is drawn to stories where the magical is inseparable from cultural identity — particularly Caribbean, Latinx, African diaspora, and other BIPOC traditions. Political nuance within the magical world is a plus, not a problem.
Rita specifically calls out BIPOC romances rooted in cultural heritage, LGBTQ+ rom-coms, regency romance, historical rom-coms, and layered comedies of manners with a cultural component. Romantasy and fantasy romance also fall here. The throughline is romance that carries genuine cultural weight rather than a diverse cast on a genre-standard frame.
She describes a taste for horror that 'blends beauty and terror' — mythic, psychological, gothic, and folklore-driven horror all qualify. Latinx horror, African diaspora horror, and BIPOC horror are specifically named. Literary horror that lingers emotionally after the last page is the sweet spot.
She is actively seeking retellings — fairy tale, mythology, and classic literature — that reclaim overlooked or historically marginalized voices. The emphasis is on retellings that do cultural and political work, not cosmetic updates. BIPOC protagonists and feminist reframing are priorities.
She welcomes high-concept literary commercial fiction, women's fiction, family sagas, and book-club fiction when they center BIPOC or Latinx experiences, immigrant voices, or identity and ancestry. Multiple POV and multiple-timeline structures are signals she enjoys narrative complexity.
She lists BIPOC crime fiction, mystery, psychological thriller, and literary thriller as active interests. Her personal enjoyment of 'a good puzzle — whether a mystery novel or true crime documentary' suggests authentic appetite here, not just checklist coverage. Multicultural and diverse detective/crime narratives are especially welcome.
Her nonfiction list is varied: cultural criticism, feminist issues, history, biography, cookbooks, travel, wellness, tarot/astrology, and LGBTQ+ topics. The connective tissue is education and empowerment. Given her Caribbean heritage and time living in Italy, food-and-culture memoirs and travel narratives with genuine personal stakes may resonate strongly.
New Adult is listed as a category she accepts, but it appears alongside and subordinate to her adult fiction priorities. Query with NA only if the project also fits her core BIPOC/Latinx and genre emphases.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Rita
Do not email her directly — her guidelines explicitly prohibit unsolicited email inquiries. Use only the online submission form linked from her agency page.
Include a query letter, synopsis, and the first ten pages in your submission. This is a firm package requirement, not optional.
Her stated response window is six to eight weeks, though she notes she can move faster when circumstances call for it — do not follow up before that window closes.
Lead your query with the cultural and identity dimension of your story before pitching the genre mechanics. For Rita, a 'Dominican-set gothic romance' lands better than a 'gothic romance set in the Dominican Republic' — the cultural specificity should be front-loaded.
If your protagonist is BIPOC or your narrative draws on a specific diaspora tradition, name that explicitly and early. Her wishlist repeatedly signals that BIPOC and Latinx identity is the organizing criterion, not an add-on.
Atmospheric and emotional language belongs in your query. She is drawn to stories that 'linger in the soul' — your pitch should convey mood, not just plot beats.
Folklore, ancestry, and family structure resonate with her personally. If your book features multigenerational dynamics, folkloric traditions, or immigrant experience, call those elements out directly.
For nonfiction, frame your proposal around its empowering or educational impact — she values nonfiction that 'educates and empowers,' so lead with what readers will carry away.
She participates actively in DEI work and advocates for organizations focused on health equity. Projects aligned with those values (without being preachy) will feel like a natural fit to her.