David Morrell is the critically acclaimed author of First Blood, the novel in which the character Rambo was created and the basis for the Sylvester Stallone film. Morrell holds a Ph. D. in American literature from Penn State. He was a professor in the English department at the University of Iowa and for years taught in the Iowa Writers Workshop. His numerous New York Times bestsellers include the classic spy trilogy The Brotherhood of the Rose (the basis for the television mini-series), The Fraternity of the Stone, and The League of Night and Fog. Morrell is the recipient of three Bram Stoker awards and is one of only four recipients of the prestigious GrandMaster Award from the International Thriller Writers. His writing book, The Successful Novelist, discusses what he has learned in his four decades as an author.

Rilla Askew received a 2009 Arts and Letters Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. A native Oklahoman, Askew is the author of four novels and a book of stories. Her essays and short fiction have been published in a variety of venues, including World Literature Today, Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry, and Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards. Her novel Fire in Beulah was the 2007 selection for Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma. A PEN/Faulkner Finalist and two time recipient of the Western Heritage Award, Askew is member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame, has received three Oklahoma Book Awards, and the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oklahoma Center for the Book.

Oklahoma's best-kept secret is at it again, as Rilla Askew steps out of her usual historical fiction with Kind of Kin, a novel that touches on both the timeless theme of family bonds and the timely theme of illegal immigration regulation.
Bob Brown's arrest shocks the citizens of tiny Cedar, Okla. In Bob's estimation, he's "a felon because he's a Christian." In an exercise in radical discipleship, Bob agreed to hide a handful of frightened illegal Mexican immigrants in his barn, only to find himself betrayed to the law by someone close to him. In his absence, his daughter, Sweet, takes over the care of her orphaned nephew, Dustin, one more worry for her overtaxed nerves. Sweet's already dealing with a tight household budget, her husband Terry's bedridden great-grandpa, Terry's constant out of town trips for his job with the gas company and a son even she admits is turning into a bully. When Dustin runs away, Sweet finds herself in the middle of a media circus involving a rabidly ambitious state representative just as Dustin's older sister comes to her seeking shelter for her husband, an illegal alien who has returned to the U.S. after his deportation to Mexico. The center cannot hold, and Sweet's life spirals out of control--straight into a standoff involving a vicious sheriff and Sweet's pastor and church congregation.
Oklahomans will recognize the Sooner State on a deep level in Kind of Kin; this is much more than a few mentions of Oklahoma City's Penn Square Mall or the Choctaw Nation to set the scene. Vividly authentic, Askew's portrayal of small-town, working-class Oklahoma encompasses its gossipmongering and fear of the unknown without mockery, as well as renders its core values, tenacious spirit and bone-deep sense of hospitality without becoming trite or twee. Rather than make a simple political statement, Askew has crafted an uncannily real cast of characters whose attempts to go about their daily lives and care for their families intersect with issues of church and state, conservative versus liberal politics and the choice between the right way and the easy way. A winner for book clubs, Askew's foray into contemporary fiction is the perfect vehicle to introduce new readers to this talented and under-

Marcy Posner worked in publishing for fifteen years, including as Associate Publisher at Pantheon, before moving to agenting, first at William Morris, then at Sterling Lord, and now at Folio Management. As a publisher, she worked with Art Spiegelman, Matt Groening, Studs Terkel, and Noam Chomsky. She currently represents Newbery Award winner and NYT bestseller Jacqueline Kelly, NYT Sheri Reynolds, NYT Jill Barnett, Kristi Cook, Christopher Grant, Georgia Bockoven and Jerri Corgiat. She represents women’s fiction, historical fiction, mystery, biography, history, health and lifestyle, thrillers, narrative nonfiction, YA, middle-grade novels.

Regina Brooks is the founder and president of Serendipity Literary Agency LLC, based in Brooklyn, New York. Writer's Digest magazine named Serendipity Literary Agency as one of the top 25 literary agencies. Her agency has represented and established a diverse base of award-winning clients in adult and young adult fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature. Her authors have appeared in USA TODAY, NY TIMES and the Washington Post as well as on Oprah, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSBNC, TV ONE, BET and a host of others.

She has held senior editorial positions at John Wiley and Sons and McGraw-hill companies. She is currently co publisher with Open Lens and imprint of Akashic Books. Brooks is the author of the titles WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS (Source Books) , YOU SHOULD REALLY WRITE A BOOK: HOW TO WRITE, SELL AND MARKET YOUR MEMOIR ( St. Martin’s Press), has edited over 100 titles and A blogger for the Huffington Post. She has been highlighted in global media and tv outlets including ABC News, CW, Forbes, Poets and Writers, Publishers Weekly, The Writer, Media Bistro, Essence, Ebony, Writers Digest Magazine, The Writer, Jet, Uptown Magazine, and Rolling Out. She was named Woman of the Year by The National Association of Professional Women. Brooks is also the founder of Possibiliteas, a tea company that develops tea blends for creative minds. She is a pilot and a member of the Association of Author Representatives and New York Women in Film and Television.

CONTACT:
Regina Brooks
Serendipity Literary Agency
305 Gates Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11216
rbrooks@serendipitylit.com
www.serendipitylit.com
Youshouldreallywriteabook.co

@serendipitylit
Facebook.com/serendipitylit
www.possibilites.com

Genres of Interest
Nonfiction
politics, psychology and self-help, pop culture, health, science, women's issues, parenting, cooking, and design crafts, alternative spirituality, business, science, technology, and memoir.

Submission guidelines
send a query letter, first 3 chapters and a proposal

Tips for pitch.
Ideal authors come with three things; an incredible platform, excellent writing, and a Hook. Try to articulate these three key elements in your pitch.

B. Kent Anderson is an award-winning novelist, journalist, and broadcaster. He has worked as a radio announcer and producer since age fifteen, served a stint in marketing for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a magazine journalist. His magazine stories won multiple awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is now a staff writer for the Guthrie News-Leader, the oldest newspaper in Oklahoma.
He is the author of Cold Glory and Silver Cross, contemporary thrillers based in the American Civil War. Cold Glory was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award for Fiction, 2012. Under the pseudonym David Kent, he also authored the Department Thirty series in 2003-06. His novel The Blackjack Conspiracy won the Oklahoma Book Award for Fiction in 2006.
A native of Madill, Oklahoma and graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma, Anderson now lives in Oklahoma City.

Terry Burns has been with the Hartline agency for over ten years, five years as an agent, and has a substantial list of clients, a growing list of credits, and a reputation for presenting to conferences all over the country. Terry comes from a writing background, has over 40 books of his own in print, most recently a book on the skills needed to get published entitled “A Writer’s Survival Guide to Publication” that was developed out of the month long course he held for ACFW. A bookstore of his available works as well as a periodic blog can be found at www.terryburns.net. As an agent Terry says "I'm looking for a good book, well written in a unique voice, aimed at a market that looks promising, and where I feel I have the contacts appropriate to be able to sell the book in that market. I’m pretty open as to genre but I don’t do picture books, sci fi or fantasy. He’s a member of the Association of Author’s Representatives (AAR).

Carl Sennhenn has been a poet and teacher for more than fifty years. In 2006, his poetry collection Travels Through Enchanted Woods won the Oklahoma Book Award. In 2001, he served as Poet Laureate. During his tenure, he worked with students and gave poetry readings throughout the nation.

Bill Fernandez, The Singing Judge

A former federal judge and Reagan appointee, Bill Fernandez is the author of two memoirs about growing up in America’s fiftieth state, Hawaii. Rainbows Over Kapa’a describes the family movie theater his father ran in the tiny town of Kapa’a, Kaua’i Kids in Peace and War brings the story to Bill’s barefoot years living near the ocean in Kapa’a, an idyllic childhood shattered by World War II. In addition to writing, Fernandez serves on the Board of the Kaua’i Historical Society and on the State of Hawai’i Juvenile Justice Council. His popular history and book talks have drawn crowds throughout the islands.

Kent F. Frates is an Oklahoma City attorney and author. His non-fiction work includes "Oklahoma Hiking Trails", "Oklahoma Courthouse Legends" and numerous historical articles for Oklahoma Today. He is also the writer, publisher and editor of the political and literary newsletter "Common Sense" and was the writer, editor and publisher of "Sports Source", a monthly publication distributed in Oklahoma from 2001 to 2006. He is currently at work on a book, "Oklahoma's Most Notorious Cases" scheduled for publication in 2013-14, by the University of Oklahoma Press. His fiction writing includes the novel, "Don't Never Shoot Short" and the original screenplay for the movie, "Cockfight" starring Wilford Brimley.

Jennifer Garrett currently works as a Marketing Director for GE Aviation Systems, LLC where she is responsible for strategic marketing activities across the seven profit & loss centers within the Avionics portfolio. Additionally, she uses her broad experience to continue to grow and strengthen the Avionics business, which currently generates over $700M in annual revenue.

In addition to her role with GE Aviation Systems, Jennifer is also a Judge Advocate officer in the Michigan Army National Guard. In this capacity she advises soldiers on a variety of legal issues and provides them with services such as drafting wills, powers of attorney, and legal representation.

Jennifer also currently publishes a quarterly newsletter, called Between the Cleats. She has also written the book, Move the Ball: How the Game of American Football can Help You Achieve Your Life Goals.

Prior to her current roles, Jennifer has had an extensive engineering, business, and legal background working for companies such as Northrop Grumman, The Boeing Company, and the Department of Defense.

Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from California State University Long Beach. She also has an MBA from Pepperdine University, a master’s degree in Communication and Leadership studies from Gonzaga University, and a juris doctor degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles.

Jennifer and her fiancé, John, have six children. In her spare time, she enjoys watching football and basketball, and training in martial arts. Jennifer is currently a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Sonia Gensler is the author of The Revenant (Knopf ‘11), winner of the Oklahoma Book Award and a Parents’ Choice Silver Award, praisedas “a compelling ghost and love story" by Booklist,“eerie and suspenseful" by Publishers Weekly, and“stunningly taut and entirely compelling” by The Bulletin. Her latest YA Gothic mystery, The Dark Between, is forthcoming from Knopf in August, 2013. Sonia grew up in a small Tennessee town and spent her early adulthood collecting impractical degrees from various Midwestern universities. A former high school English teacher, she now writes full time in Oklahoma and spends her summers in England.

Rene Gutteridge is the award-winning and best-selling author of more than eighteen novels, including the beloved Boo Series and Heart of the Country, her novelization release with director John Ward and Tyndale House Publishers. Her recent suspense titles include Listen, Possession and the award-winning Seven Hours project Escapement. She=s been published by Bethany House, Tyndale House, WaterBrook Press, Thomas Nelson and B&H and novelized the successful motion picture The Ultimate Gift. She is teaming again with screenwriter Cheryl McKay for the romantic comedy Greetings from the Flipside from B&H and releasing her new suspense title, Misery Loves Company from Tyndale in 2013. Her romantic comedy Never the Bride won the 2010 Carol Award for Best Women’s Fiction. Her upcoming literary projects include the novelization of the motion picture Old Fashioned with Tyndale House Publishers and filmmaker Rik Swartzwelder.

Her adaptation of her novel My Life as a Doormat is in development with Kingdom Pictures and she is also a creative consultant for Boo, a film based on her best-selling novel, in development at Sodium Entertainment with Cory Edwards attached as director. She is also co-writer in a collaborative comedy project called Last Resort with screenwriters Torry Martin and Marshal Younger. Her screenplay Skid is currently in production and scheduled to begin filming in March of 2013. Find her on Facebook and Twitter or at her website, www.renegutteridge.com

ANDREW HORTON is the Jeanne H Smith Professor of Film and Media Studies at the University of Oklahoma, an award winning screenwriter, and the author of twenty six books on film, screenwriting and cultural studies including, SCREENWRITING FOR A GLOBAL MARKET (U of California Press 2004), HENRY BUMSTEAD AND THE WORLD OF HOLLYWOOD ART DIRECTION (U of Texas Press, 2003), WRITING THE CHARACTER CENTERED SCREENPLAY (U. of California Press, 2000, 2nd edtion), THE FILMS OF THEO ANGELOPOULOS (Princeton U Press, 2nd edition, 1999), and LAUGHING OUT LOUD: WRITING THE COMEDY CENTERED SCREENPLAY (U. of California Press, l999).

His films include Brad Pitt’s first feature film, THE DARK SIDE OF THE SUN and much awarded SOMETHING IN BETWEEN (l983, Yugoslavia, directed by Srdjan Karanovic). He has given screenwriting workshops around the world including Norway, Germany, England, the Czech Republic, Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland and throughout the United States.

The Library Journal wrote about his CHARACTER CENTERED SCREENPLAY, “Horton walks away with an Oscar in the valuable books for the prospective scripter category with his latest rendering.”

Michael Mason is the founding editor of This Land Press. In its first several months of publication, This Land Press achieved international recognition for its journalism. As a new media company, This Land publishes an acclaimed bi-weekly broadsheet, produces nationally-broadcast radio programs, airs a weekly TV show, distributes an iPad app, and operates one of the largest online media communities in Oklahoma. The Columbia Journalism Review called it “The New Yorker with balls,” and “a rare example of literary journalism on the community level.”

Mason is currently at work on his second non-fiction book called The Human Assembly: The Discovery, History, and Industry of our Parts, Tissues, and Organs, to be published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

Odom is the author of over 150 novels. He received the American Library Association's Alex Award in 2002 and was nominated for the Christy in 2005. He also has been inducted into the Professional Writers Hall of Fame. He's written in several genres, including tie-in novels for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Without A Trace, and novelizations of Blade, XXX, and Tomb Raider.

Eilis O'Neal is the author of the young adult fantasy novel The False Princess. The False Princess was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection, a YALSA Teens’ Top Ten Awards nominee, an ABC New Voices selection, an ABC Best Books for Children selection, and is currently a Georgia Teen Peach Book Awards nominee. Her short fantasy has appeared in Realms of Fantasy, Strange Horizons, Fantasy Magazine, Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, and other publications. She is the Managing Editor of Nimrod International Journal and lives in Tulsa with her husband and two obnoxious dogs.

Jaz Primo is a history aficionado, “pun-master”, and all-around fan of vampires. He authors paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and young adult literature, and has enjoyed a fulfilling background and career in higher education, including teaching U.S. History classes during evenings.

Tim Tharp’s first novel, Falling Dark (Milkweed Press), was awarded the Milkweed National Fiction Prize. Knights of the Hill Country (Knopf Books for Young Readers), his first novel for young adults, was on the American Library Association's Best Books of 2007 list.His novel, The Spectacular Now, (Knopf) was a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award and a film version premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013. His most recent novels are BADD (Knopf, 2011) and Mojo (Knopf 2013).

Savannah Thorne graduated from the University of Iowa where she studied in the Writers’ Workshop with many notable poets.She also holds cum laude Master’s degrees from De Paul University in Chicago and Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.

Her poetry has appeared in over a dozen literary journals such as Potpourri, The Wisconsin

Review, Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review, The Lyric, Parabola, The Iowa Rag, and The Atlanta Review. She has won numerous prizes: poem of the year from The Iowa Rag, an award from the Poetry Society of New Hampshire, and Honorable Mention for The Missouri Review’s Editor’s Prize contest. She was also a finalist in the Mary Ballard poetry contest. She was delighted to be published in Conclave: A Journal of Character in its inaugural issue in 2008, and recently became Conclave's managing editor.

After Hurricane Isabel in 2003, she has lived all over the United States. She has worked with several literary agencies and is currently marketing works of historical fiction.

Tom is a Personal CFO who helps a small number of successful Business Owners make smart financial decisions and achieve everything that’s important to them.
With experience in both public and private enterprise, Tom boasts a résumé that includes tenure of more than a decade with the high-net-worth specialist groups of JP Morgan, Bank of Oklahoma and the First National Bank of Chicago. He also has well over two decades of experience as a private business owner in the industrial valve and temporary-help industries.
Tom, who holds a Series 66 license, is a graduate of Indiana University, where he was an All-American swimmer. An occasional golfer and active musician, he has been involved in the Tulsa community as a volunteer with United Way, the Boy Scouts of America, the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, the Tulsa Opera and numerous professional and amateur golf tournaments. A father of four and grandfather of many, Tom lives in Tulsa with his wife of more than 30 years.

Author, Trainer, Public Speaker

While hard at work writing thrillers, Bill Wetterman finds time to give back to the community by speaking to groups interested in understanding the mind of a writer. Bill’s shares his experience on how he constructs novels and short stories. He can speak on a variety of topics, including:
*Writing thrillers
*Character development
*Self-publishing—the pros and cons
*And, the steps to becoming a published author
Bill Wetterman is a freelance writer and published author. Bill’s interest in international politics and world spheres of influence helps him weave stories of intrigue and espionage in international settings. The stories he writes not only could happen, but also may be happening right now. Room 1515, his international, political thriller is one.
Bill’s short stories are published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and the Writer’s Digest 2011 Short Story Anthology. Bill is a member of the Oklahoma Writer’s Federation Inc. and the Tulsa Nightwriters. Room 1515 won the thriller competition at OWFI in 2011. His short story, The Family Tree, placed eighth in the Writer’s Digest Short Story Contest for genre fiction in 2011 out of 11,800 entries. His newest novel, The Fifth Step came out in October 2012.
To learn more about Bill and his writing, check out his blog at www.bwetterman.wordpress.com. or, go to his Facebook page under Author Bill Wetterman.
To contact Bill to schedule speaking engagements, Email him at bwetterman@cox.net.

Erin York is a writer and editor. She attended school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she graduated with a B.A. in Creative Writing and a minor in Manuscript, Print Culture, and Editing. Her writing has received both numerous publications and awards that include national acclaim. Aside from writing, Erin speaks on social media for authors. For more information, find her on Facebook (ErinYorkAuthor), Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn under the username: EYWriterEditor.

In addition to being the nationally bestselling author of twenty-nine books, Bernhardt founded HAWK Publishing Group in 1999 and began hosting an annual writing workshop in 2005. HAWK, the Workshop, and his nationally renowned small-group writing seminars have educated numerous authors now published by major publishing houses. He holds a Masters Degree in English Literature and is the only writer to have received both the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award (University of Pennsylvania) and the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award (OSU), which is given "in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large." His published books include the acclaimed Ben Kincaid series (from Primary Justice in 1991 to Capitol Betrayal in 2011), Double Jeopardy, The Midnight Before Christmas, Nemesis: The Final Case of Eliot Ness, Dark Eye, two children’s books and two anthologies he edited to raise funds for The Nature Conservancy and The Children’s Legal Defense Fund.