Welcome GOLD members! June is almost upon us. Read the following profiles carefully, click the links for more info on each agent, and decide who is the best fit for you and your work. Then read the guidelines on the forum as you prepare your submission. Be sure to double check everything before you hit the send button.

Little GOLDen Book members will be able to choose one of these two agents to submit their manuscript to in June. (If you are a SILVER member, you may use this info for research. Check out our How to Use 12 x 12 Featured Agent Posts article here.)

James McGowan of BookEnds Literary Agency will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from June 1-15.
Sera Rivers of Speilburg Literary will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from June 16-30. James’s profile appears first, followed by Sera’s. 

Let’s get some sunshine on those submissions!

James McGowan of BookEnds Literary 

A little bit about James:

James McGowan began his career right where he is: at BookEnds. He joined the team as an intern in the summer of 2015, and as the joke goes, they couldn’t get rid of him. He has worked in all departments at the agency and is now a literary agent representing a talented list of award-winning authors and illustrators. James’ list focuses on illustrated projects for young readers (board books, picture books, chapter books, and middle grade) as well as adult nonfiction and mystery/suspense novels.

In addition to being an agent, James is a children’s author. His debut picture book Good Night, Oppy! launched from Astra BFYR in 2021. He is born, raised, and currently living in Staten Island, and read all the books they told him to in college. He is a professional snacker, a huge fan of Jeopardy!, and fluent in sarcasm. To learn more about James, his wishlist, or upcoming client books please visit the BookEnds website or his personal website. 

When asked what he’s looking for in submissions, James replied:

“I’m open to any and all picture books.”

James isn’t accepting unsolicited picture book submissions, so this is an excellent opportunity for GOLD members to get their work in front of James. (12 x 12 is considered similar to a conference submission or referral.)

James has been a Featured Agent many times over the last few years. You can find his previous profile posts here, here, here, and here.  Additional resources are below:

• Check out James’s website.
• Find James on Twitter.
• Interview on Only Picture Books
• BookEnds YouTube Channel featuring James!

Sera Rivers of Speilburg Literary 

A little bit about Sera:

Sera Rivers is a Literary Agent at Speilburg Literary. She holds an MFA in writing for children from Simmons University. Sera Rivers represents middle grade, young adult, graphic novels (author/illustrator only), and select picture books. Check out her MSWL and submission guidelines at SeraRivers.com. Prior to agenting, Sera worked as an editor in educational publishing for seven years. 

When asked what she’s looking for in submissions, Sera replied:

“Sera is only looking for specific picture books in the following categories: tough topics (such as Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me by Daniel Beaty and Bryan Collier; The Breaking News by Sarah Reul); horror—author-illustrator only for horror (such as Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown; Bone Dog by Eric Rohmann); and authentic stories about historically excluded identities, communities, and histories. Not interested in rhyming picture books. “

This is Sera’s first year as a 12 x 12 Featured Agent! Here are a few resources:

Remember: Little GOLDen Book Members may only submit to ONE of these agents. Please choose the agent who is the best fit for you and your manuscript. Look for submission guidelines in the Submission Station on the 12 x 12 forum.

• Submissions will only be accepted for James Molina from June 1st at 8am ET/5am PT through June 15th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
• Submissions will only be accepted for Sera Rivers from June 16th at 8am ET/5am PT through June 30th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.

Please double check the times for your time zone on your submissions. Anything received before or after the submissions window is open will be disqualified and you will not be able to submit again this month.

Remember, it is NEVER okay to submit your manuscript twice. Contact Kelli if there is a problem with your submission.

Good luck!

Not a 12 x 12 member yet? Join our notification for free events and be among the first to hear when registration opens for next year’s picture book writing challenge. Click here.