Success Story Interview - Eileen Lavelle

An Interview with Eileen Lavelle (vastwaters 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?

Eileen Lavelle:
My novel is called HELLHOUND and it's a closed-circle thriller which I pitched in my query letter as "And Then There Were None" in an abandoned asylum in Ireland. (Exciting news: I got a book deal with Berkley and my debut will be published in Spring 2028!)

QT: How long have you been writing?

Eileen Lavelle:
Too long.

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

Eileen Lavelle:
Many times. What helped me stay on course was determination, obstinance, and a little spite.

QT: Is this your first book?

Eileen Lavelle:
No. I've written three books and one novella before this book.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Eileen Lavelle:
Yes, I have degrees in English and creative writing. Though I'm in the firm camp that you don't need any formal training to be a writer. What's most important is studying your craft, reading your craft and working on your craft. (Also: spite.)

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Eileen Lavelle:
I try to write every day but that's not a rigid rule, as that can cause burn out. Sometimes, stepping away from writing is needed. I'm also definitely not someone who can write 10,000 words in a day (wish I could!).

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

Eileen Lavelle:
Too many times. And then more times on top of that. I love to suffer. All joking aside, there is very little you can control in this industry - except the quality of your query package and your manuscript. My advice to querying authors is to ensure your manuscript is pristine and that your query letter, synopsis, etc., have been workshopped, workshopped, workshopped, before querying. Agents might pass on your work for a variety of reasons - which you can't control (not a fit for their list, current client writing something similar, subjective taste, etc.) but what you do have control over is what you're sending out. Please take your time and ensure your query package (and manuscript) are near perfect. There are so many (free) great resources out there to workshop/learn how to write a strong query letter such as PubTips, AbsoluteWrite, Query Shark, The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast, and QCritique.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Eileen Lavelle:
Yes. I love feedback to a painful degree. Something I am very firm on is having critique partners and beta readers once I have finished a manuscript. Feedback is incredibly important, especially if you intend on querying. Also, it's good for a writer's soul to have other writer friends who you can talk to about the unique ups and downs of writing and being an author. If you are looking for other writer/author friends, you can seek them out via online forums such as PubTips and AbsoluteWrite. There are also organizations you can join (for mystery/thriller writers: Sisters in Crime, Thriller Writers and of course, MWA), or look up local writing groups/check out the local writing scene in your area. Writing can be isolating, make sure you have a solid support group.

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

Eileen Lavelle:
I have to outline, mainly because I write in the thriller/mystery space and there are a lot of twists, turns, and red herrings I need to keep track of.

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

Eileen Lavelle:
I queried agents with great sales in thrillers/mysteries who represented authors I loved/admired, as well as newer agents interested in thrillers/mysteries who were at excellent agencies who had strong mentorship.

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

Eileen Lavelle:
Please do your due diligence when researching agents. I know querying is hard and can feel like a slog - form rejections and silence are never fun. However, the saying "no agent is better than a bad agent" is true - remember you are looking for a business partner who can sell your book and not just anyone who might offer you rep. Make sure the agents on your list have sales in your genre or have strong mentorship at their agencies to drum up those editor connections needed to sell your book. Publisher's Marketplace is a great resource if you are researching U.S. agents (or The Bookseller for U.K.). If those avenues aren't possible, going to agency websites and researching an agent's client list (and those clients' sales) can also determine if an agent is a fit for you and your book.