Kelly Thomas

Kelly Thomas is an associate literary agent at Serendipity Literary Agency and a certified copy editor with a bachelor’s degree in English (Literature) from Pace University. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA), a member of the Women in Film (WIF), New York Women in Film & Television (NYWFT), and a member of the Editorial Freelance Association (EFA). She is also a ghostwriter and a screenwriter with a project in development. Kelly is a participant for pitch slams and speaks on various panels at writing conferences, including Thriller Fest, Crime Bake, Writing Day Workshops, AWP, Writing Barn, Writer’s Digest, SCBWI, Carnegie Center for Literary and Learning, and Women in Publishing, and The Hampton Roads Writer’s Conference, where she also taught classes on synopsis writing and character development. She is a trainer at The Next Bestseller™ Workshop and co-runs a monthly Synopsis Writing Workshop for Your Book Is Your Book publishing consulting company. and a published poet with publications in Tales for the Disenchanted (2008) and Penumbra Art & Literature (2015). Prior to joining Serendipity Literary Agency, she provided manuscript analysis for the D4EO Literary Agency. Kelly has served as an editor for the literary arts magazine Pen & Brush and as a writing coach for the academic consulting company Brattlestreet. Kelly considers herself a generalist who is drawn to lyrical writing and strong voices. She is interested in nonfiction (narrative nonfiction, memoirs, true crime, self-help, business, travel writing, photography, medical, STEM, psychology, health and fitness, music, food & drinks, cooking) and adult fiction (psychological thrillers, suspense, comedies). She enjoys working with musicians, television personalities, athletes, and other pop culture figures to help translate their stories or expertise onto the page. She also represents children’s books including picture books, middle grade, and young adult. She enjoys fast-paced, plot-driven fiction with twists, turns, and jaw-dropping moments. She is drawn to stories about leadership, overcoming adversity, and beating the odds. Stories that are told from a unique psychological vantage point are always of interest. The truth is often stranger than fiction, so Kelly is actively looking for the next great true crime manuscript with a murderous and methodical plot. She loves multi-layered protagonists who struggle between what is right and wrong, and anti-heroes who are villainous but endearing at the same time. Some of her favorite books that perfectly master this include "Dearly Departed Dexter, " "You," "American Psycho," "Fight Club," "Psycho," "Interview With the Vampire," "Dracula," and "My Sister, The Serial Killer." Kelly adores books that tap into ancient mythology and folklore, and she has a special place in her heart for stories about Vikings and Pirates.