Get out your sparklers. It’s July! GOLD members, read on to learn more about our 12 x 12 July Featured Agents. Decide which one 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 can choose one of these two agents to submit their manuscript to in July. (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.)
Sera Rivers of Speilburg Literary Agency will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from July 1-15. James McGowan of BookEnds Literary will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from July 16-31. Sera’s profile appears first, followed by James’s.
Here we go!
Sera Rivers of Speilburg Literary Agency
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: 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. Please do not send rhyming texts, books about grief or grandparents, or picture book biographies. I also do not represent illustrators who are not writers as well.”
Sera was a 12 x 12 Featured Agent in 2023. Find her previous profile post here. Here are some additional resources for your research:
- Check out Sera’s website
- Follow Sera on Twitter/X
- Follow Sera on Instagram
- Follow Sera on Bluesky
- Sera’s Manuscript Wish List
- Speilburg Agency Website
- Interview on The Darling Axe
James McGowan Literary
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.
When asked what he’s looking for in picture book submissions, James shared this:
“I’m open to everything right now, but really keen to find laugh out loud humor or fascinating nonfiction projects in STEAM, Current Events, and/or History.”
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 previously. You can find his previous profile posts here, here, here, and here. Additional resources are below:
- Check out the BookEnds Literary Website
- James’s website
- The BookEnds Literary YouTube Channel
- Find James on Instagram
- Find James on Twitter/X
- Find James on Bluesky
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 Sera Nealon from July 1st at 8am ET/5am PT through July 15th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
- Submissions will only be accepted for James McGowan from July 16th at 8am ET/5am PT through July 31st 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 to our GOLD members! We look forward to your success stories
Not a 12 x 12 member yet? Join our waiting list here.
