Success Story Interview - Annie Fillenwarth

An Interview with Annie Fillenwarth (anniefwrites on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Michaela Whatnall of Dystel Goderich & Bourret LLC.

05/11/2026

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
It's a contemporary YA novel about a student at an all-girls Catholic school learning about feminism for the first time while participating in a pageant-like tradition. I attended an all-girls Catholic high school myself, and I wanted to write a story that shows that experience in all its weird and wonderful glory, while also offering a lesson about not getting everything right the first time.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Annie Fillenwarth:
Pretty much since I could read! But I've been writing more seriously since I started my creative writing undergraduate degree in 2014.

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
8 years! It was my graduate school thesis, and I graduated in 2020.

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
Yes, for sure. I think any time you embark on a project of book-like proportions, there are going to be moments where either you doubt your own vision or someone else does. My love for my characters and my commitment to my goal to publish a book kept me on track. Also, I've been lucky enough to have a great support system of both writers and non-writers who encouraged me during those doubt-filled times.

QT: Is this your first book?

Annie Fillenwarth:
Yes!

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Annie Fillenwarth:
Yes---I have a BA in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the New School. I also earned an online copyediting certificate from the Poynter Institute and American Copy Editors Society.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Annie Fillenwarth:
I wish! At different points in my drafting and revision processes, I had routines around writing---usually just working on the book for one hour a day in order to reach a self-imposed deadline. (I am a slow writer.) But in my opinion, your writing routine has to change as your life does, and you don't have to write every day to be a writer.

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
I am currently working on revision #6 of my book with my agent.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Annie Fillenwarth:
Yes, at various points. I brought original drafts of some chapters to workshops in grad school, worked on the manuscript with my grad school thesis advisor, and showed it at varying stages to other writers in my network and even non-writer friends and loved ones.

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
I started by simply writing from the voice of the protagonist, but eventually I wrote an outline to plot out the events of the book, and I've written new outlines along the way. In fact, I'm working on an outline for my latest revision right now!

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
This was my first time querying, and I began in early December 2025. I got my offer of representation on March 20th, 2026.

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
I sent out somewhere between 20 and 25 query letters.

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
I looked for a combination of: any connections we might have (e.g., they know someone I know, they represent someone who also attended The New School), at least a few successful deals in the past few years, representation of authors in similar genres/age groups to me, and alignment on their manuscript wishlist, especially when it comes to media we both enjoy. My agent loves Derry Girls, and that was one of the comps in my query letter!

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
Sometimes! If I had a connection, I would name that in the first graf of the query letter and sometimes in the subject line. Also, if their manuscript wishlist had something that I specifically had to offer, I'd include it (usually something like "voice-driven narratives" or "laugh-out-loud funny").

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

Annie Fillenwarth:
I would say to consider researching agents a major part of the process. I ended up with an agent who I found by searching Manuscript Wishlist and didn't have any prior connection to. I saved myself a lot of stress and trouble by casting a narrower, more targeted net than a broad, generalized one.