Regina Brooks

Regina Brooks is an award-winning author and literary expert with an indefatigable passion for guiding the careers of some of the publishing world’s best and brightest stars. As the founder and president of Serendipity Literary Agency LLC., a full-service company based in Brooklyn, NY, which was hailed by Writer’s Digest Magazine as one of the top 25 literary agencies of 2004, Ms. Brooks continues to break down barriers and shape the literary landscape by signing authors who challenge the written word.

Led by Ms. Brooks, Serendipity Literary Agency LLC has established a diverse base of award-winning authors in the adult and young adult fiction, non-fiction, and children's genres; including three-time National Book Award finalist, Newberry and Coretta Scott King award-winning author Marilyn Nelson, and Coretta Scott King Award winner, Sundee Frazier, author of Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in it, an Oprah Book Pick and an Al Roker Book Club selection.

With over fifteen years of experience in senior positions at major publishing houses, including John Wiley & Sons Inc (where she was the youngest member of the editorial staff and the first African-American editor in their college division) and the McGraw-Hill companies, Ms. Brooks, a graduate of the Howard University Publishing Institute and faculty member of the Harvard CME publishing course, is also the author of the children’s book, Never Finished! Never Done! (Scholastic, 2004).

Ms. Brooks is also the founder and executive director of YB Literary Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the reading of literature as a meaningful, lifelong activity and transformative experience for youth. Much to her delight, this aspect of her charitable work in particular keeps her apprised of the latest teen trends. Through a roster of community-focused programming that draws on popular culture, YB’s goal is to expose youth to literature that is relevant to their lives—literature that speaks to their realities, their experiences and to their potential as future leaders. The organization has touched thousands of high school students in the NY/NJ area alone. Under her guidance, the YB Literary Foundation established a partnership with The National Urban League to launch the hiphopreader.com program.

A New York Urban League Rising Star Award winner and a 2004 finalist for the StevieTM Award for Women Entrepreneurs, Regina Brooks is featured in books such as The Guide to Literary Agents and Down to Business 10 steps for Women Entrepreneurs. She is also listed in International Who's Who under the categories of Professional Management, Technology, Entrepreneurs, and Engineering.

Ms. Brooks serves on the board of Soul Mountain Literary Retreat Center and is a member of the Brooklyn Book Festival Committee for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. An active member of the National Association of Female Executives and NY Women in Television and Film and a member of the National Association of Professional Women, she lectures at over a dozen conferences annually, including the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Bologna Book Fair and the American Library Association.

Her new book, Writing Great Books for Young Adults, is not only a reflection of her lengthy experience working with YA authors, it also includes tips from recognized agents and editors who are all currently working in the field. Whether you’re just getting started, or on the hunt for an agent or publisher, this is your complete, inside source for everything you need to know to succeed in the world of YA fiction. How to Write Great Books for Young Adults is a wonderful tool to educate the aspiring YA writer about both the creative and business side of becoming a successful author.