Serena Patel

"Kate is a wise and solid influence on my writing."

Serena Patel was shortlisted for the Asian Writer Short Story Prize and finalist in the Undiscovered Voices Anthology 2018 and soon afterwards her debut children’s series secured a multi-book contract with Usborne following a fiercely contested auction.

Usborne launched the Anisha Accidental Detective series (illustrated by Emma McCann) to huge acclaim in 2020. Highlights include: winning the fiction category of the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards and being named ‘Best Crime Novel for Children’ at the Crimefest Awards in 2021; and Holiday Adventure winning the younger fiction category of the inaugural The Week Junior Book Awards in 2023. Anisha was also shortlisted for the British Book Awards (Children’s fiction), the Blue Peter Prize, the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards; and longlisted for the Branford Boase Award (with Usborne editor Stephanie King) and selected for The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Anisha Accidental Detective is being adapted for television for BBC Studios by Nikesh Shukla (with Archie Punjabi attached), and Serena’s brand new middle grade book series, Pia’s Pet Club, illustrated by Emma McCann, is launched in 2025.

Serena also edits middle-grade detective anthologies with Robin Stevens, and writes dyslexia-friendly books for Barrington Stoke.

Serena lives in Walsall with her family.

SERENA’S books

The Super Sunny Murder Club, Farshore, 2024; Test Trouble, Barrington Stoke, 2024; Anisha Accidental Detective - Beach Disaster! Usborne, 2023; Anisha Accidental Detective - Fright Night! Usborne, 2022; Picture Perfect, Barrington Stoke, 2022; Anisha Accidental Detective - Holiday Adventure! Usborne, 2022; Anisha Accidental Detective - Show Stoppers! Usborne, 2021; The Very Merry Murder Club (ed Patel & Stevens), Farshore, 2021; Anisha Accidental Detective - Granny Trouble! Usborne, 2021; Anisha Accidental Detective - School’s Cancelled! Usborne, 2020; Anisha Accidental Detective (all illustrated by Emma McCann), Usborne, 2020.

reviewers

“A fabulously funny mystery.”

Sunday Express

“Perfect for younger detectives - so funny and clever and sweet.”

Robin Stevens author of Murder Most Unladylike

“The chaotic warmth of an eccentric extended family underpins this exhilarating romp.”

Daily Mail

Latest Book

THE WRITER WHO MOST INSPIRED SERENA

I loved books I could escape into and one of those was Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I had a huge illustrated edition which I read over and over. I think I loved that it was a big adventure but also full of fun and nonsense.

SERENA ABOUT KATE

Kate is a wise and solid influence on my writing career. She is my trusted guide along the sometimes rocky road to publication and I know I chose the right person to represent me and my books.

KATE ABOUT SERENA

I fell in love with Anisha: Accidental Detective from the first page of the mss and competed with several other agents for the honour of representing Serena. I’m very blimmin’ pleased she chose me! Serena’s characters are unforgettable and her sense of humour highly contagious. She writes with such authenticity, mischief and fun that it is no surprise children and adults alike are firm fans.

Serena is courageous and hard-working. Speaking out about representation and calling out discrimination did not used to come naturally to her, but I have watched her flourish as an author and public speaker with awe and admiration. I am so proud to represent her.