Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Aaron Kyte

Success Story Interview - Aaron Kyte

An Interview with Aaron Kyte (AaronK on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Sara Megibow of Megibow Literary Agency.

08/14/2025

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Aaron Kyte:
A Christmas Inn, Maine is an 85k word queer holiday romance novel that I started writing about two and a half years ago. Originally, the piece began as a screenplay that I wrote during a period of quarantine when I travelled to visit my family during COVID lockdowns. At that time, in late 2020, I was looking at the huge number of Hallmark Christmas movies and holiday romances and wondering why there wasn't more queer representation.

While things have gotten better in the last five years (with more gay holiday movies and books), my motivation was still to write the kind of story I wish I had been able to see on screen (or on the page) as a younger person.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Aaron Kyte:
I've been writing my whole life (I'm sure everyone says that), but I really began to sit down with the goal of completing a novel in 2022.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Aaron Kyte:
About two and half years from the first time I put words on the page.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Aaron Kyte:
I considered giving up MANY TIMES, but I really just wanted to prove to myself that I could finish something. It didn't have to be good, it just had to be done. And then when I finished the first draft, I started at the beginning again and tried to make it better, stronger, tighter. Lots of times I woke up at 5am and just stared at my laptop screen for two hours, but I still considered that 'writing time' to reinforce the habit.
QT: Is this your first book?: Aaron Kyte:
It is.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Aaron Kyte:
I took some courses in university, and a few writing workshops through the Nova Scotia Federation of Writers, but mostly it's just been practice, practice, practice, and a great beta reader group.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Aaron Kyte:
I try to wake up every morning at 5am (or as close to that as I can handle) because there are always things that 'come up' in the evening... but if you can drag yourself out of bed that early, it's a pretty disruption-free time. Beyond that, I just try to write (or at least sit in front of my manuscript) almost every day.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Aaron Kyte:
I'd say at least 3-4 full editing passes, and then lots of tweaking of sections along the way.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Aaron Kyte:
I connected with three other amazing writers through a Beta Reader Matchup program and they have been invaluable. We had our first meeting (online) nearly two years ago and, since then two of them have sold their books, I've got a book on submission to publishers, and another member of the group just had a baby, but is starting querying this fall.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Aaron Kyte:
Since this book was based on a screenplay I'd already written, it had a rough outline. But I think at least some outlining helps. Writing 'towards something' is always better for me than just writing from the hip.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Aaron Kyte:
I began querying this book in October 2024 and signed with my agent in June 2025.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Aaron Kyte:
It took me nearly eight months of querying and 65 submissions to get an offer. I sent an initial batch out and just kind of waited for three months. But that makes for a pretty hard waiting game, so after a few months, I set a goal to send out at least five queries each week.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Aaron Kyte:
Since my story is quite specific genre -- queer, holiday romcom -- I looked for agents who were open to romcom and contemporary romance, and gave special priority to agents who were open to/ excited about LGBTQ+ stories/writers.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Aaron Kyte:
When possible, I did a little bit of tailoring for each agent. If I could find a commonality or interesting fact in the agent's bio, I would include that and personalize the first line or two. But I also kept things pretty general if I couldn't find anything to connect about. I didn't want to force it or come off disingenuous.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Aaron Kyte:
Get a great group of beta readers who you trust. Friends and family will be supportive and while that's important, what you need is real critiques and honest questions.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Aaron Kyte:
Sure. Here's the generic version of my query letter:

Success Story Interview - Aaron Kyte

Query Letter: