Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Ayana Aden

Success Story Interview - Ayana Aden

An Interview with Ayana Aden (semom on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Claire Friedman of InkWell Management.

07/21/2026

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Ayana Aden:
This manuscript is a work of commercial/book-club fiction with romantic elements about a jaded social worker who steps into local politics to block her corporate landlord from gentrifying her community, falling for her political strategist in the process. I was inspired by the community I grew up in, the coast-to-coast issue of gentrification, and the abusive tenure of women in politics.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Ayana Aden:
Since I could properly hold a pencil, pretty much. But I only started taking my writing seriously during the pandemic, when (like many people fortunate enough to work from home) I found myself with plenty of extra time on my hands!
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Ayana Aden:
Four years. I started it in May 2022. Had the final draft finished in May 2026.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Ayana Aden:
Occasionally. But the characters were constantly pestering me, so I felt like I needed to finish it, if only to house them somewhere. It helped that my beta readers held me accountable by asking me about my work, where I was at, and our critique sessions always left me feeling inspired whenever I was in a rut.
QT: Is this your first book?: Ayana Aden:
As an adult, yes. But I have many a trunked MS from when I was a twenty-something (they will likely never see the light of day).
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Ayana Aden:
Nope! I'm just your average, avid reader.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Ayana Aden:
I write at ~ 5:00am before my family wakes up, then another stint in the evening, in the hours after they go to bed. As a mom with a full time job, it's the only way I can keep on top of my writing goals while also not losing my sanity (but maybe it's already gone, who knows!).
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Ayana Aden:
Oh, many times. I have six versions of this MS that plays around with tone, pacing, POV. Because I was coming back to writing after a long hiatus, the first three versions were really about me re-learning how to write. The last three: how to storytell effectively.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Ayana Aden:
Yes. My betas were absolutely essential throughout the entire process. Everyone needs a good critique group, especially when first starting out.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Ayana Aden:
I am ashamed to say that I pantsed the entire thing. My brain is still recovering after the multiple front-to-end rewrites I needed to do post-drafting, so I am now trying my hand at outlining to avoid that!
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Ayana Aden:
I was in the query trenches for approx. three weeks. I did try querying an earlier draft of the MS (which landed me an R&R) two years ago, but I decided to stop querying because I felt it still needed some work. I consider that a different book altogether, since it's changed so much since then.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Ayana Aden:
About 20.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Ayana Aden:
I was very picky. I queried agents that repped books I liked, and repped books I comped. I used PM sales data to find agents that had good sales histories. Occasionally, if I liked the vibes of their biographies.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Ayana Aden:
Yes, but I didn't force it. If there was a genuine reason why I was querying them, I'd include it. I think agents will know if someone is forcing a personalization, so I only did it where it was warranted. As in, if they repped a book I thought 'spoke' to my book; if they were looking for books with similar tones, pacing techniques that mine had, etc.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Ayana Aden:
Before you query: this is given, but make sure your MS is 100% ready for an agent's very limited, often distracted attention, because it will be in the slush pile with other stories just as good as yours (maybe better). It must stand out in the crowd. A good question to ask yourself is: if you had to put it on the bookshelf today, are there any major changes you'd make to the story to enhance it? If yes, stop what you're doing right now and make them. Also, get feedback on your query package just like you did your MS. Draft multiple versions of your query. Have a great support system in place when/if it's crickets from agents.

While you query: Distractions, distractions! Friends, family, exercise, ideally a new project to obsess about. And whatever email you're using to query--keep it off your phone to avoid constantly refreshing.