Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Celeste Dador

Success Story Interview - Celeste Dador

An Interview with Celeste Dador (amquery212 on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Ann Rose of The Tobias Literary Agency.

12/18/2023

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Celeste Dador:
It’s a YA romcom with paranormal elements and a celebrity romance – think Geekerella meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

It was inspired after attending a fandom convention (I’m a big TVD fan) and how hilarious and self-deprecating Robert Pattinson is when he talks about playing Edward in the Twilight saga. I also wanted to incorporate some aspects from my heritage to add a fresh take to the vampire scene.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Celeste Dador:
Years, but 2018 is the year I decided to write to be published.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Celeste Dador:
This was my fourth completed novel. From drafting to agented it took about ten months.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Celeste Dador:
Yes! Many. I know ten months to write a book and get agented doesn’t sound like an awful lot of time, but I’m also on my second literary agent.

My first literary agent who worked at a highly reputable agency stirred up some controversy due to her unprofessional behavior – you know, the kind that brews cautionary tales on Twitter and among writing groups. Fortunately I was able to get out of that relationship. I credit my agent sibs and writer friends for helping me recognize: 1) I was in a bad situation and 2) switching agents is actually pretty common.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Celeste Dador:
I was fortunate to be selected for a couple competitive writing mentorship programs, but no formal training like a MFA program.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Celeste Dador:
When I’m in “drafting mode” I write whenever I can squeeze in time, which is usually late at night. On weekends, I try to get up early like 5am and wrap up by 9 or 10 am so I can enjoy the day with my family then back again when kids are asleep.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Celeste Dador:
Oof. There’s no number I can put on how many times I’ve edited this book, it’s been constant, but if I tried to break it into rounds: I hand wrote my “zero” draft. Typed up my first draft, which counts as a revision pass by me. Second draft went to Alphas. I revised. Third draft went to Betas. I revised. Fourth draft focused on copy edits. I revised. Fifth draft-ish I queried.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Celeste Dador:
I’m a light plotter. I like to know all the big beats like inciting incident, midpoint, darkest hour, etc., but I don’t fight it if the characters take me in another direction. I mean they’re teenagers, they don’t always stick to plans!
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Celeste Dador:
Book one I queried for about a year. Book two queried for about 5 months and led to my first agent. Book three I didn’t query. Book four took about a month and got my second agent.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Celeste Dador:
Since I had a bad experience with my first agent, I relied a lot on referrals from my network. This time around I wanted someone who was a good communicator and who I could trust would do what they say they would do.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Celeste Dador:
I think no matter what stage you’re at as a writer, learning how to recognize and cope with imposter syndrome is a good skill to have. For example, if you’re reading these success stories and feeling motivated that’s great, however, if it’s spiraling into feelings like “you’re behind” or “don’t belong” that’s certainly not a good place for you and your creative process.

I would offer: 1) you don’t need anyone’s permission to be a writer and 2) when it comes to imposter syndrome, recognize when it’s serving you and when it’s not. You can learn more strategies by researching “imposter syndrome types.” Mind your craft and mental health!

The other advice for when you get your offer (and those purple sunglasses) is to carefully vet your agent especially when it comes to communication and their transparency during the submission process. Speak to current clients and ask them how often they hear from their agents, how fast they respond to their questions, how long it takes them to review your work, etc.

There’s no right or wrong, but what’s right for you! As painful as it is to acknowledge it’s true: no agent is better than a bad agent.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Celeste Dador:
Sure thing. Below is a template that I would try to keep between 300-350 words max:

Success Story Interview - Celeste Dador

Query Letter: