Success Story Interview - H. L. Docherty

An Interview with H. L. Docherty (HeatherLS72 on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Rachel Estep of D4EO Literary Agency.

09/23/2025

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?

H. L. Docherty:
SNOWDROPS AND STONES is a new adult fantasy romance, pitched as ROMEO AND JULIET meets A BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES. It follows Tiv, an Elite who has spent his life ignoring the injustices his family profits from, and Alayna, a Scab clawing her way from survival to rebellion. When war erupts between their divided societies, both are forced to choose between their families and each other.
It was written when I was 19, and The Hunger Games and Divergent were all the rage. I loved the idea of creating this dystopian world, but I also had an obsession with folklore from all over the world. I found monsters from Filipino folklore called Aswang. This sparked the question 'How would life work if these things actually existed?' These two things merged to create a dystopian world filled with murderous monsters that stalk people at night.

QT: How long have you been writing?

H. L. Docherty:
It's a tricky question because I did a lot of writing in my teens in the form of escapism, then as I grew up, I stopped. It wasn't until I was in my 30s that I really started again on this project. That was about 2 years ago, and I've not stopped since!

QT: How long have you been working on this book?

H. L. Docherty:
It was written by little ol' naive me at 19, then not touched again for 13 years. I spent a year polishing it when I realised I had a decent (just badly executed) story. Then a year editing with each round of querying I did.

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

H. L. Docherty:
Oh, every week. Like most writers, imposter syndrome is a big thing for me, but also, querying is rough. You have soaring highs and crushing lows. It's an emotional rollercoaster. I'm part of a little writing trio, and they keep me going on the bad days. They definitely hype me and keep me on track when I spiral!

QT: Is this your first book?

H. L. Docherty:
Yes.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

H. L. Docherty:
Nope!

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

H. L. Docherty:
No. I'm pregnant and have another child under 5, so I write whenever I get a free second, usually after bedtime into the wee hours.

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

H. L. Docherty:
I've honestly lost track now. Too many, but I've learnt a lot for next time!

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

H. L. Docherty:
Yes! They were fantastic. I had 5 in total for different edits. 1 read it twice because she’s amazing.

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

H. L. Docherty:
I'm a pantser through and through. Outlines stress me out.

QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?

H. L. Docherty:
This is the only book I've ever queried, and I was querying for a year. I renewed my premium subscription, and a week later I got my offer (typical, lol!)

QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?

H. L. Docherty:
181 queries sent using about 5 different query letters! (My final one was without a doubt the strongest.)

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

H. L. Docherty:
I looked at MSWLs, and even if there was one thing on there that resonated with my book, I sent a query.

QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?

H. L. Docherty:
I used to, but by the end of my querying journey, I had a generic letter that I would personalise if an agent asked for it.

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

H. L. Docherty:
Make your query letter as strong as possible. I sought outside help with mine in the end. Make sure your protagonist's wants are clear, what the stakes are, and what happens if they fail. This will get an agent's attention. After that, your writing will do the rest. Just make sure that you have a support network around you for when the rejections roll in (because they will). They'll be the ones to cheer you loudest when you finally get your 'yes' (shout out to my Butcher and my Onimous Optimist for that).

Query Letter:

Dear X,
I am pleased to present my 104,000-word new adult romantic fantasy novel, SNOWDROPS AND STONES. It combines the star-crossed romance of Chloe Gong's THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS with the morally grey characters of Raven Kennedy's THE PLATED PRISONER series, and the cost-based magic system of Shelby Mahurin's SERPENT AND DOVE.
In the slums of Harroworth, Vakoso, Alayna Jameson knows her place.
As a Scab, a person seen as nothing more than a slave, she's spent her life surviving the rigid class divide, barely scraping by in a city overrun by corruption. But Alayna wants more than survival. She wants freedom. Determined to escape the slums and fight for her people, Alayna agrees to date Marcan Hawes, the arrogant eldest son of the city’s governor, to keep her family safe. Between this and working hard for her Elite-funded education, Alayna wants to gather enough influence to spark change for the Scabs.
As the Elite second son of the city's governor, Tiv Hawes lives a life of luxury built on the suffering of people like Alayna. He's spent his life following orders to maintain the Hawes name, turning a blind eye to his father's brutal regime. But Tiv feels suffocated by the weight of his family's power and is desperate to find a way out. When an icy encounter with his brother's date, Alayna, turns into several clandestine meetings, Tiv finds himself pulled into the reality of her world: riots, public executions, and monsters. He is forced to face the truth: his lifestyle isn't just flawed, it’s built on Scab blood.
Alayna and Tiv are forced apart by their families, and riots turn to war. Tiv will do whatever he can to get back to Alayna, while she thinks he has abandoned her. Now, Alayna’s fight for freedom isn’t just hers, it’s for her entire city. If the rebellion fails, her people will face a lifetime of chains. But with the dangerous creatures that lurk in the shadows, there might soon be nobody left to protect. With monsters closing in and war consuming the city, Tiv and Alayna must face the greatest danger of all: falling for the enemy.
As a teacher, I've always adored writing, particularly building new and weird worlds. After completing my MSc in Psychology in 2019, I rediscovered my passion for writing, with a focus on exploring complex relationships and the intricacies of the human psyche, particularly mental health. Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I love stories where these characters (whether major or minor) are integrated naturally, without stigma or reproach. When I'm not writing, you'll likely find me playing guitar for my little girl or immersed in a Swiftie playlist.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
[Redacted]
(writing as H. L. Docherty)