Success Story Interview - Alexis Maleno

An Interview with Alexis Maleno (authoralexismaleno on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Madison Potter of Olswanger Literary.

02/05/2026

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?

Alexis Maleno:
The book I've found representation for is called Ravenous. It's a psychological exploration of how the wounds we inherit in childhood can shape the hunger we carry into adulthood and how far we'll go to feed them. My inspiration came from the song Strangers by Ethel Cain. I was sitting on the bus listening to it for the first time and the idea popped into my head. I had to write it down in my notes app before it disappeared.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Alexis Maleno:
I wrote my first completed novel in 2022, but I was born with a pen and journal in my hands. I've been writing since middle school days when I would write a story in my composition notebook and pass it around class.

QT: How long have you been working on this book?

Alexis Maleno:
I'd say a little over a year.

QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?

Alexis Maleno:
Giving up? Definitely not. I have delusional optimism so I'll never stop doing what I love.

QT: Is this your first book?

Alexis Maleno:
This is my second completed book but the first I've queried seriously.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Alexis Maleno:
Usually I try to write a minimum of 300 words a day. I always write after breakfast before I do anything else. Something about writing first thing in the morning makes me feel so creative.

QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?

Alexis Maleno:
I went through 4 drafts before I could confidently say "Okay THIS is the one."

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Alexis Maleno:
Yep! And I'm grateful for them every single day.

QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?

Alexis Maleno:
I wrote an outline down to the chapter. I wanted to make sure I knew exactly where the story was going and how much needed to be written.

QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?

Alexis Maleno:
3 months.

QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?

Alexis Maleno:
56!

QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?

Alexis Maleno:
I wanted agents that liked thriller/horror. Mainly I was looking for agents who craved something weird. Weird girl lit is the genre I'd say my book falls under so I was searching for agents who wanted that specifically.

QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?

Alexis Maleno:
I looked for comps like Bunny by Mona Awad in their wishlist because that was in my query letter. Other than that I'd say it was a pretty formal letter.

QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?

Alexis Maleno:
Make sure you triple check their manuscript wishlist. Some agents can change their minds about what they're looking for which can be perfect for you! Also (delusional optimism) NEVER give up. All you need is one yes to make your dreams real.

Query Letter:

Dear AGENT,

Lucky's story begins with hunger. Not just for food, but for warmth and affection that doesn't evaporate the moment she reaches for it. As a child, she's raised by parents consumed by their demanding careers. They leave her alone most nights with tasteless meals and silence, only to offer rich Sunday feasts and fleeting attention. This teaches Lucky that love must be earned, devoured, and yearned for.

RAVENOUS, a 97,000 word work of weird-girl, genre-bending literary fiction, is an exploration of how child neglect warps intimacy, identity, and the hunger for love.

The novel unfolds in three parts, threaded through with After chapters where Lucky faces Dr. T in a surreal therapy session. In her adolescence, ten-year old Lucky clings to her first friendship with Cara, a girl whose warm family life awakens Lucky's taste of unconditional love. This also begins her possessive view of affection. During her teenage years, her fear of abandonment poisons her relationship with both Cara and Beau, a classmate who briefly offers her intimacy. By adulthood, Lucky believes she's finally found healing with Finnian, a chef whose generosity rekindles her joy. That is until the threat of his absence pushes her into a devastating act of desperation.

Through Dr. T's relentless questioning, Lucky is forced to confront her past, her compulsions, and the truth that no one can satisfy her hunger. RAVENOUS asks: can love heal a starved heart, or are some voids destined to consume everything they touch? It will align with anyone's taste for bold, thought-provoking narratives such as The Lamb by Lucy Rose, Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle, and Bunny by Mona Awad.

As a queer hispanic daughter to an over achieving English teacher, my home was filled with a sense of yearning and belonging. I turned to books to feel wanted and understood, where I then found my own voice through writing the very family I wished to have. Now as a nanny, I encourage children to build their own dreams and find their voices through literature. I also have a love for Greek mythology to the point that I've named my dog Hades and my cat Circe.

I have attached the first ten pages of my completed manuscript and hope to have the opportunity to discuss it further with you.

All the best,

Alexis Maleno