Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Christopher Mannino

Success Story Interview - Christopher Mannino

An Interview with Christopher Mannino (ChrisMannino on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Ramona Pina of BookEnds, LLC.

02/08/2024

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Christopher Mannino:
This was an odd process. I left my former agent a month ago, and reached out to Ramona based on her interest in fantasy similar to what I write. I queried my adult fantasy THE WOMAN WITH GLASS FINGERS, which is a literary low fantasy that's roughly American Gods meets The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. I've been writing fantasy stories for a long time, but wanted to try something based more in our world. However, shortly after querying Ramona I was offered a publishing contract on a completely separate project, a parenting book I'd pitched some presses called MAKING IT UP: A REVOLUTIONARY WAY TO BOND WITH KIDS THROUGH PLAY. This concept-driven book teaches parents and caregivers how to connect with kids through improv theatre skills and was largely inspired by my own teaching background and my children. I pinged Ramona with that news and she ended up offering for both.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Christopher Mannino:
I've been writing since I could hold a pencil. I've been pursuing publishing seriously for twelve years.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Christopher Mannino:
THE WOMAN WITH GLASS FINGERS took about 9 months. It's a complex book, but I enjoyed writing it.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Christopher Mannino:
Absolutely! Leaving my previous agent was a tough choice, and honestly one of those times I was ready to quit. I felt stagnant. Yet, my writing groups and friends really encouraged me to keep trying. My wife is my biggest cheerleader of all, there's no way I would've made it this far without her.
QT: Is this your first book?: Christopher Mannino:
These two projects are my 30th and 31st books.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Christopher Mannino:
Yes. I write mostly at nights, but as I'm always working on more than one wip, I delineate certain days for certain projects. So MWF on one WIP, Tuesday and Thursday on another, for example.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Christopher Mannino:
Absolutely, even for my parenting proposal, which was an entirely new genre, I made sure to have a team of readers before sending it out.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Christopher Mannino:
I always outline first.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Christopher Mannino:
I only spent a month in the query trenches since leaving my agent. This is not the norm, I know!
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Christopher Mannino:
Since I was querying my fantasy primarily I wanted to pitch agents who repped my genre, but also agents who'd made some recent sales, and agents who were open to other genres.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Christopher Mannino:
As they say in GalaxyQuest: Never give up, never surrender! Perseverance is one key difference between success and failure in this business.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Christopher Mannino:
Sure! Here was my query:

Success Story Interview - Christopher Mannino

Query Letter: