Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Elliah Terry

Success Story Interview - Elliah Terry

An Interview with Elliah Terry (luvnlife_27 on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Steven Chudney of The Chudney Agency.

02/27/2016

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Elliah Terry:
I AM CALLIOPE JUNE is a contemporary middle-grade novel told from the perspectives of Calli (who tries to hide her Tourette syndrome from her new school) and Jinsong (the boy next-door who also happens to be the school's Student Body President).
My own experiences with being diagnosed with Tourette syndrome (as well as my daughter's) inspired me to write this story.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Elliah Terry:
I started at age 10. It's always been my dream.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Elliah Terry:
I wrote and revised CALLIOPE JUNE for two years before signing with my agent, Steven Chudney of The Chudney Agency.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Elliah Terry:
Yes! Too many times to count. I've cried in the shower, sobbed on the couch, thrown my manuscripts across the room, etc.
Having a strong group of writer friends who were also in the query trenches is the number one thing that kept me afloat during the hard times. Also, remembering that the act of writing brings me immense joy and no one can take that away from me unless I let them.
QT: Is this your first book?: Elliah Terry:
CALLIOPE JUNE will be my first published book (Spring 2017, F&F/Macmillan), however, it isn't the first thing I've written by a long shot. Prior to getting an agent, I finished forty picture books and five middle-grade novels (as well as five other unfinished novels).
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Elliah Terry:
My training has come from attending dozens of conferences and workshops, as well as taking online courses.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Elliah Terry:
I don't have scheduled writing time, but do aim to get two hours in each day, whether that's scribbling in a notebook at the park, or revising on my computer after everyone else has gone to bed.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Elliah Terry:
Oh goodness, there isn't a high enough number for that. I can tell you that I did four very major revisions.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Elliah Terry:
Yes. I think I had about ten readers during the two years of writing and revising.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Elliah Terry:
Outline. I'm a big fan of Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Elliah Terry:
Nine months for CALLIOPE JUNE. Eleven years for all of my books combined. (Yes, you read that right.)
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Elliah Terry:
I sent out 87 queries. But not all at once. I sent out batches of 5-10 at a time.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Elliah Terry:
Yes. I researched each agent before querying and made sure I had a reason to query them, such as reading an interview or spotting a #mswl on Twitter, etc. and put this information first thing in the query. Also, I made certain to follow their guidelines. Some wanted just a query. Others wanted to see the first 10 or 15 pages as well.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Elliah Terry:
Don't give up. Do plenty of research online (especially through Query Tracker). If you don't get an agent with your first book, don't despair. You may get one with your next. Or the next. Watch Twitter for #mswl (manuscript wish lists). Surround yourself with other writers who "get it". Be patient. Have faith. Don't send out all of your queries at once. Always be professional.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Elliah Terry:
Absolutely!

Success Story Interview - Elliah Terry

Query Letter: