Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Janae Newsom

Success Story Interview - Janae Newsom

An Interview with Janae Newsom (jrnewsom on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Quressa Robinson of Folio Literary Management.

07/25/2023

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Janae Newsom:
JUNE NOVA is a story about a seventeen year old black girl called Nova who is on probation for fighting, and all she wants to do is get off. However, In order to get off probation she must stay out of trouble, which includes completing community service, anger management therapy, and definitely no fighting. But her plans to stay under the radar are blown when her dormant time altering abilities resurface, and she is thrusted into a journey of unraveling her anger in order to find the purpose in her power. June Nova's story was inspired by my own history, and my desire to speak to black girls who had experienced grief after losing a father, either to the carceral system, to death, or other forms of abandonment.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Janae Newsom:
I wrote my first short story when I was 12 and then paused for a while and did some poetry here and there. I used to rap too. I would write random stories here and there whenever I thought of them but never finished anything. I came back to writing in 2019 when I was accepted into an English and creative writing MFA program.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Janae Newsom:
I started writing this book in 2019 as my thesis.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Janae Newsom:
Yes. Honestly, right before I got a full request from the first agent who offered, I had cried and talked to God/the universe about my next steps. I’m a single Mama of two kids, low income, and lost one of my incomes because I was a part time professor and the school closed down. So honestly, I was getting weary, I was getting tired of the rejection, feeling a little lost. I think what helped me to stay on course was praying and journaling. I started writing in a journal consistently since December of 2022 and I would just pour all of my feelings into it.
QT: Is this your first book?: Janae Newsom:
Yes! This is my first book.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Janae Newsom:
Yes, I achieved my MFA in English and Creative Writing in 2021.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Janae Newsom:
I find that I write my best during the hours of 10am and 3pm. But the problem with that is my job is 9-5. I’m not a person that can wake up early in the morning and write, my writer brain will not turn on then, and because I have kids, I force myself to not stay up late writing, so, most of the time I’m writing on my lunch break, or when I have a break from working. But if I’m on a deadline or giving myself a time frame, I will be up at 5am lol.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Janae Newsom:
I re-wrote this book in total six times. The revision that got me my agent was my 6th revision.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Janae Newsom:
Yes, I’ve had beta readers for my last three versions. I was also fortunate enough to have been selected for certain writer’s retreats which afforded me the opportunity to have extra eyes on my work as well.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Janae Newsom:
I’m a pantser. Although, I wish I wasn’t ! I wish I could outline a book from start to finish because then I don’t think I would have so much trouble in the middle! Because I’m a pantser, I kind of just write in a flow state, and once the fuel runs out I’m just done for that day or that session. When I start a story I always have an idea of what I want to say, it just can be a journey getting there. But I’d like to be more of a planner that way I know how I’m going to get where I’m going.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Janae Newsom:
This is the first book I’ve ever queried and I started querying this book in 2021 right after I finished my MFA.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Janae Newsom:
I sent out 61 queries per query manager, but I also sent out a few that I did not track there so in total around 65-70 queries.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Janae Newsom:
As a black woman writing about a black girl from the hood, it was quite challenging to find an agent who would resonate or be drawn into the story, and I learned that quickly. So, I began to look for agents who I felt like could authentically champion the book, even if they could not authentically relate to the subject matter. I also looked for agents whose clients had great things to say about them. I was interested in agents who repped BIPOC authors, agents who were editorial, agents whose MSWL listed books that I comp in my query, and also agents who seemed to really care about their clients and their work.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Janae Newsom:
Yes! I googled most of the agents I queried and watched or listened to or read interviews that they did, so in my query, I was able to talk about something they said that I connected with.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Janae Newsom:
It is difficult, especially if you are a BIPOC/marginalized author. But remember that you are not a risk. If you do get agent feedback see if it resonates with you, pay attention to themes, if you keep getting the same feedback that may be worth exploring and revising for. I’d also say put your eggs in all the baskets, attend writer’s conferences (if you can, may be unwise to go broke like I did), go to writer’s retreats if you can, apply to mentorships, apply to small press book publishing contests. If you believe in your work, keep going until someone else does too.

Success Story Interview - Janae Newsom

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