Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Allan Kaspar

Success Story Interview - Allan Kaspar

An Interview with Allan Kaspar (keledron on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Tricia Skinner of Fuse Literary.

02/19/2026

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Allan Kaspar:
A Cook's Guide to Supernatural Philadelphia is a Cozy Urban Fantasy that tells the story of the retired sidekick that helped the hero save the world. He spends his retirement building a community amongst the mortals and supernatural communities of South Philadelphia by serving incredible food from his magically powered food truck!
QT: How long have you been writing?: Allan Kaspar:
I've been writing almost all of my life, and querying since 2015. I'd say I "got serious" with my writing in November of 2024, where I started writing for 2 hours a night once my family went to bed. Every single night.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Allan Kaspar:
I started writing the book in June of 2025, and finished it in mid-July 2025. I've been tweaking and editing it, and querying the book ever since.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Allan Kaspar:
Right around the end of December 2025! An agent had replied to my query back in July that they loved the sample pages and wanted to read the whole book. I sent it to them right away. I sent the first nudge in October to no reply. Then in December. During that time frame I'd also gotten 5 requests for partials and 4 requests for the full manuscript. I also completed another standalone novel with the same characters that could easily serve as a sequel! But all of those agents eventually passed, aside from the one from July. By the end of 2025, I felt like it may not be the right time for the story of Mac Sullivan and his supernatural neighborhood crew. I still hadn't heard back from the agent from July, despite some friendly nudges. Maybe it was time to hang it up and query my new project? Then I started paying attention to my QueryTracker weekly email updates, and noticed an agent that I had really liked (but wasn't open to queries) had reopened for queries (this was mid January or so). I knew I had to send it her way. I wasn't giving up on Supernatural Philadelphia just yet.
QT: Is this your first book?: Allan Kaspar:
No, this is actually my sixth full length novel. Four of which have been written since I started writing every night in November of 2024. I've been doing this for a while.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Allan Kaspar:
I took a creative writing course when I was in college, and then audited that same class, with the same professor, 10 years later because I enjoyed it so much.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Allan Kaspar:
Every night, after tucking my wife and kids in bed, I head downstairs to my office and write. I'm always working on a book. I write for about 2 hours every night.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Allan Kaspar:
I never re-wrote it, but I definitely spent time editing it, as the year went on. I'd get some feedback from an Agent, and then I'd incorporate that. I'm doing one final edit pass right now actually, and then will be sending it to Trish (my agent! yay!) for her edits and review.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Allan Kaspar:
I'm actually part of a wonderful group called The Fiction Lab (Hi to Katrina and the rest of the gang!) and have gotten wonderful feedback from them. My friend and fellow writer Adrian has read more of my stuff than anyone, and always has wonderful feedback. Thank you, man!
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Allan Kaspar:
Oh I'm an outliner. I'm too damn ADHD to shoot from the hip. My agent even said the book is surprisingly tight already, and I'd like to think that's from me being a habitual planner.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Allan Kaspar:
I've been querying this book since July 2025

I've been querying in general since I wrote my first novel in 2014. I might have thought I was ready to take over the publishing world with that 2014 novel...but oh did I have a long way to go, and a lot of leveling up to do!
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Allan Kaspar:
*pulls up spreadsheet* 44. Told you, habitual planner.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Allan Kaspar:
1. Did they love the genre? Or at least want something close enough that they'd enjoy the book?
2. Did I think they would believe in and love my book as much as I do?
3. Is this someone looking to make this a career partnership? - This was especially important to me. I'm not a once and done writer. I want to keep writing Cozy Fantasy/Cozy Urban Fantasy books! I have TONS of characters and ideas in my head and I plan to just keep scribbling. I want to work with someone who can help me turn that energy into a writing career, and if I'm really lucky, shift from a day job and to writing for 8 hours a day to make a living. Gods below, this world is not ready for my output with that much time dedicated to writing ;)
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Allan Kaspar:
I tried to. If there were specific things an agent was calling out for that I thought my book had? I highlighted that.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Allan Kaspar:
Never give up. Never stop writing. If it's not this book, it might be the next one. NAIL your query. There are plenty of resources to help here. NAIL your synopsis. These are a beast, I know. But keep doing it, you get better every time. I'm feeling pretty good about doing these, but it took almost 11 years :)
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Allan Kaspar:
Here! I'm posting it on my website this week as well!

Success Story Interview - Allan Kaspar

Query Letter: