Success Story Interview - Jackson Robertson

An Interview with Jackson Robertson (JRHenry on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Alicia Brooks of Alicia Brooks Literary Agency.

07/10/2026

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

Jackson Robertson:
Sure! It's a fantasy centered around a man who has summoned the ghost of his boyfriend back from the grave out of grief. It's a story centered around loss, grief, and how we deal with it as people and the lengths we go to undo past mistakes. I wrote it when I was going through my own grief in life. Scenes led to another before I realized I was processing my own personal moments that took on a form in a novel.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Jackson Robertson:
I started writing short stories in high school and then again after college. So I would say a total of 10 years.

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

Jackson Robertson:
I started this book two years ago. It started as drafts and ideas on an outline. Then I continued to expand on it, edit it, and next thing I knew I had written a new novel.

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

Jackson Robertson:
Quite often. There was a moment where I even didn't want to continue because I wasn't sure how to continue the story. Ideas and scenes that didn't work. Yet I allowed myself to be confused and struggle to get the scenes out. I think telling myself "it can be messy now, just get it out there" really helped!

QT: Is this your first book?

Jackson Robertson:
Nope! It's my fifth one.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Jackson Robertson:
Not necessarily. I do frequent writing workshops online to learn more about the craft, market, and revision.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Jackson Robertson:
I try to write at least 30 minutes a day, or an hour a week if I can manage it with a busy schedule. Continuing to get my ideas out on paper really help me manage myself as a writer and get them out of my head to improve on later.

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

Jackson Robertson:
Several! Ha. I had so many nights where my betas and critique partners worked with me on scenes that worked and scenes that didn't work until I finally found the final draft that worked for me.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Jackson Robertson:
I did! They are vital to ensure my story makes sense as I imagine it in my head.

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

Jackson Robertson:
I did a bit of both, if I am being honest. I would come up with ideas, write them out and see how they panned out. Of course, the actual skeleton of the story had to be outlined so I knew the direction I was going. Some scenes though appeared on a whim and I tried to see if they would work or not.

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

Jackson Robertson:
I have been querying this book for a total of four months. However, I have been querying in the trenches for 3.5 years total. This book took off much faster than I envisioned it to, and was really happy it resonated with so many people.

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

Jackson Robertson:
At the time of this interview, I sent out 25 letters. Many passes came, but a good handful of requests did too. I had planned to send more in the months when I was off work and reevaluate what wasn't working if anything. Then I pitched my book at a conference and here we are!

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

Jackson Robertson:
I wanted agents who were seeking my genre. I also took a risk at agents that didn't explicitly state they wanted my story, and their reception to it was good. I also practiced the pitch during events/conferences to test it and that is where I got the most requests from.

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

Jackson Robertson:
I didn't. I only tailored the query if I pitched to them in person as a reminder of who I was, or if we had a specific thing in common (like similar tastes in writing or reading for MSWL) but otherwise I was generic with my letters.

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

Jackson Robertson:
Please don't ever give up. I have written and failed so many times in my journey in the trenches. It is cliche, but it is true. The more you try, the more you put yourself out there, the easier it gets. Be prepared to be told no quite a lot. Get thick skin, and remember your writing is not perfect and can always get better. Don't be afraid to query the agents who've told you no before with something new. I was surprised how many left comments, how happy they were to see me continue to try, and wanted to encourage me.