Sera Rivers is a Speilburg Literary Agency agent with an MFA in children's writing and a background in educational publishing, hunting for subversive adult horror/speculative fiction and, through conferences and referrals only, LGBTQIA+ and non-Western YA, graphic novels, and select picture books by author-illustrators.
In brief
Rivers has a highly specific submission window for adult fiction — the first seven days of each month only — but as of late May 2026 her form was directly observed to be closed; confirm the live form state before submitting.
Children's book queries (YA, MG, graphic novels, picture books) are NOT accepted through open submission; the only routes in are a referral, a conference, or a pitch event — she teaches a 'Seeking Rep' workshop at conferences and takes pitches there.
Her editorial background (seven years in educational publishing, MFA from Simmons) signals she works closely with manuscripts before submission; writers who want a developmental-minded agent will find that a selling point.
She explicitly prioritizes BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and other marginalized voices across all categories — this is a mission-level commitment, not a checkbox.
Her own YA memoir won a PEN New England discovery award, giving her firsthand credibility with the YA literary community and a personal investment in the category she now represents.
Lately
I'll be there too! Teaching my Seeking Rep workshop and taking pitches—adult #fiction and #kidlit. Check out my #MSWL: serarivers.com and sign up for a pitch! I hope to see you there!
Happy @manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social #MSWL Day! Check out my wishlist HERE: serarivers.com/mswl/ I have a lot of wishes on my list, but I'm most eager for #subversive #horror in the vein of Jordan Peele and work by marginalized creators! I'm open to adult #fiction #queries 1st 7 days each month
Rivers publicly confirmed she would be attending an upcoming writing conference, teaching her 'Seeking Rep' workshop and taking pitches in both adult fiction and children's literature, directing writers to her personal site to sign up.
What Sera is looking for
Rivers wants horror that upends expectations — not straightforward genre fare but something that weaponizes the conventions against themselves. Think psychological unease, social critique baked into the scares, and a distinct authorial voice. She is especially drawn to underrepresented voices in this space.
Sci-fi anchored in emotional and social realism rather than hard-tech spectacle. The speculative premise should feel plausible and human-scale. Underrepresented perspectives are a particular draw.
She is actively looking for writers from marginalized and historically excluded communities whose work carries the emotional resonance and commercial warmth associated with authors like Emily Henry — accessible, character-driven, with speculative or genre elements woven in.
Rivers represents YA across several flavors but ONLY accepts queries through referrals, conferences, and pitch events — the open submission form does not apply here. Her strongest YA interests are queer narratives, horror, thriller, grounded sci-fi, and stories rooted in non-Western folklore, culture, and heritage. Her own award-winning YA memoir signals deep personal investment in this category.
Rivers does NOT want picture book writers who are not also the illustrator. She is open to author-illustrators working in horror or those from underrepresented backgrounds. Access is through referral or conference only — not open submission.
Graphic novels are welcome but ONLY from author-illustrators (no writer-only submissions). Entry is via referral, conference, or pitch event — not the open submission form.
Not the right fit
On Sera's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Sera
Time your adult fiction query precisely: the window is the first seven calendar days of the month. Submitting on day eight — even by one day — means starting over next month.
As of late May 2026, her form was observed to be closed. Check the live form on the first of the month before drafting your query email.
If you write kidlit, skip the form entirely. Attend a conference where she is teaching or taking pitches, or obtain a referral — those are the only routes she accepts.
Lead your query with your own identity or perspective if you come from a marginalized or historically excluded community; she has made this a stated mission-level priority, not just a preference.
For adult horror, make the subversive quality of your premise explicit in the first paragraph — don't let it get buried. She is not looking for conventional scares; show her what your book breaks or inverts.
For adult speculative or sci-fi, ground the premise in character and emotion early. The human stakes should be as clear as the speculative concept.
Her MFA and editorial background mean she values craft; a polished, clean manuscript will matter more here than at agencies with less developmental focus.
Note the correct pronunciation in your query if addressing her by name: 'Sera' is pronounced like the letter S followed by 'air' and 'ah' — a small but memorable detail that signals you have done your homework.
Conference pitch slots fill up; if you plan to pitch kidlit, monitor her personal site and social presence (@writeloudly) for event announcements well in advance.