Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Daniel O'Shea

Success Story Interview - Daniel O'Shea

An Interview with Daniel O'Shea (luctari on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Stacia Decker of Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency.

05/19/2009

QT: How long have you been writing?: Daniel O'Shea:
I’ve written all my life, and have worked as commercial freelance writer for better than 20 years. Mostly, I’ve worked with professional and financial services firms. I used to do a lot of work on political campaigns until it got to wear I couldn’t take long enough showers after.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Daniel O'Shea:
Back in my toying-at-it days, I probably wrote 30K words over several years, hardly any of which are still in the book. When I got serious about it, I wrote the draft in about four months.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Daniel O'Shea:
Quitting writing was never an option – that’s how I earn a living. But I struggled with fiction writing for a long time. I really just toyed at it. In the back of my mind, the idea of getting a novel published felt a little like thinking I was going to play third for the Cubs – like one of those childish things you’re supposed to put aside.
QT: Is this your first book?: Daniel O'Shea:
First fiction book, yes. As a freelancer, I’ve written a couple business-type books.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Daniel O'Shea:
I was a liberal arts slut in college. I majored in English Comp for a while, along with history and philosophy. And the freelancing has been good training.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Daniel O'Shea:
My day job is pretty demanding, so it can be hard, but I’ve made a rule for myself to do 500 words a day. It ain’t ever in the morning – I’ve got to be on the train at 6:30 as it is. Might be at lunch, might be on the train at night, but most days I get the 500 words in.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Daniel O'Shea:
I did one major re-write to cut the thing down. Mostly I edit as I go along.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Daniel O'Shea:
I had a couple.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Daniel O'Shea:
Completely from the hip. For me the trick is to develop characters that I’m connected to, to put them in a situation I like, and then to just turn them loose. I just kind of follow them around my head and take notes.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Daniel O'Shea:
I sent my first query out on April 15 – tax day. I got the offer on May 12 and signed on May 19.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Daniel O'Shea:
I sent out 96 queries. I felt the book was the best I could do, at least at this point. I wanted to find out if I could get an agent or not. So I carpet bombed the list pretty good. I had several partial and full requests – in fact, I’m still getting some responses in.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Daniel O'Shea:
To be frank, if they showed up on the mystery/thriller/crime search, I’d query them. As I got requests for partials or fulls, then I’d do more research on the agent.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Daniel O'Shea:
Just made sure I got the name and address right.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Daniel O'Shea:
I don’t think I know anything special. Send samples – unless the agent’s site absolutely prohibited it, I always sent 20 pages or so. Let’s face it, the query is just a resume, and they ain’t gonna rep a resume. In the end, you have to write a good book.

Success Story Interview - Daniel O'Shea

Query Letter: