Regina Brooks is a true Renaissance Woman. She is an author, the founder and President of Serendipity Literary Agency, and in addition to her careers in publishing, she’s worked as an aerospace engineer for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, and made history as the first African American woman to receive a Bachelors of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Ohio State University. Brooks is also the Executive Director of the Y. B. Literary Foundation, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the reading of literature as a meaningful, lifelong activity and transformative experience for youth. Ms. Brooks, has edited over 50 published books, and her latest work is WRITING GREAT BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS. This month, she shares what she enjoys most about the book biz.

Collaboration At Its Best

They say that the best problem solving and development happens in a group setting. Publishing is a breeding ground for social interaction. When I think about the number of people involved in the development of a book before consumers see it in the bookstore, its incredible. Whether it’s the researchers, the editors, the publicists, the marketers, the sales people, designers, photographers, manufacturers, or agents, we all share a collective responsibility towards making each book work. I love being a part of a team of people all working towards a similar goal.

Helping to Give Birth to Ideas

When people hear that I’m in the book business, either they have a book idea, or their mother, cousin, sister or brother. Everyone has a story or idea that they would love to share with someone. And while not every idea is publishable or book worthy, I find joy in helping writers give birth to deserving projects. It is very satisfying when Im allowed to put my “touch” and perspective on a brand new book.

Reading Skills Revolutionized

This business forces you to read and understand written information quicker than one would ever think possible. I’ve learned to be more discriminating about the information I take in .To think in some weeks I can average 200 queries. I love that I’ve been able to master large volumes of information so fast.

Curiosity that leads to Discoveries

I’ve always been of the curious sort. Oh, whose doing that? What are they talking about? Innovation? What if? The publishing business rewards those that experience the emotional rush that comes with exploring, investigating, and discovery. The most successful non fiction books are those that break new ground, those ideas that are a step ahead. Book people find out the subject matter that people want to know before they even know they want to know it.

Unmistakable magic

Every book represents a journey into an authors enchanted imagination. And with each book a diverse range of subjects and styles are all expressed distinctively. I can’t help but get excited by the unmistakable magic that I experience when I’m allowed on the voyage.

Thank you, Regina! WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS is out now.

About The Author

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is the daughter of a Jamaican mother and Nigerian father, and married to a man of Croatian descent. So, that’s what’s up with the name. She’s worked as a freelance writer and contributing editor at various magazines, and has developed educational materials geared to educators and students. Olugbemisola has worked extensively in youth development, at community organizations and New York City schools. She was twice awarded a public service fellowship by the Echoing Green foundation to work on a creative arts and literacy project with adolescent girls. She received her M.A. in Educational Communication and Technology, with a concentration in Adolescent Literacy and English Education, her B.Sc. from Cornell University, and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. “I spent a number of my younger years in different communities across the globe. I attended public, private,’international’, and religious schools. These experiences have had lasting benefits as I was exposed to many languages, traditions, customs – new and thrilling worlds. And each move brought with it both an opportunity and a struggle surrounding identity, which is a recurring theme in my work.” She lives in New York City where she is also an enthusiastic if not particularly skilled crafter.  Read more about Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich.

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