Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Jessica Jonas

Success Story Interview - Jessica Jonas

An Interview with Jessica Jonas (JMJonas on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Rebecca Eskildsen of Writers House.

05/26/2026

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Jessica Jonas:
My book, working title A HEALTHY BABY, is upmarket with horror elements. It's about a stillbirth mother who becomes obsessed with her milk as a way of preserving a connection to her lost baby. She becomes a modern-day wet nurse for a millionaire, and as both women's postpartum mental health collapses, either of them could be the only one maintaining a fragile equilibrium, or the one to topple over a dangerous edge. I experienced serious postpartum mental health struggles after the birth of one of my children, and this novel was a way for me to explore the terror, isolation, and vulnerability that doesn't always get the attention and compassion it should.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Jessica Jonas:
A long time! I studied writing in college and started working seriously on novels about 10 years ago.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Jessica Jonas:
I started this book in August 2023. It took me 7 months to draft it, then editing and a round of critique, and I started querying in fall of 2024. I got enough full requests to assure me my query letter was working and my premise was strong, but then rejections trickled in by spring. One agent suggested a major R&R to rewrite the third act and intensify horror elements in the story. I spent 5 months on that revision and started querying again in late fall 2025. I got my first request for a call in March, got my first offer mid-April, and signed with my agent in May.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Jessica Jonas:
There were many times I felt worried or doubtful about the whole querying quagmire! But I loved this book from the beginning. I always believed this story mattered and wanted it to find a home. My husband and writer friends were so encouraging throughout, and I also found it helpful to read craft books that highlight the creative vitality in revisions (Refuse to Be Done by Matt Bell and Meander, Spiral, Explode by Jane Alison being particular favorites). So much of writing is revising the same story over and over, so finding fresh energy mattered.
QT: Is this your first book?: Jessica Jonas:
No, I queried a prior novel and have two more desk drawer projects that weren't strong enough to query. This is my first experience being agented and working toward publication, though, so this is (fingers crossed) my debut novel.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Jessica Jonas:
Yes, I studied English in undergrad and earned my MFA in fiction. I also enjoy taking occasional classes to continue practicing, like a Gothic fiction course.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Jessica Jonas:
Loosely. I have three children and a job, but I have a standing weekly writing night in-person with a friend, and I aim to write most evenings after kids go to bed. My usual trick is to promise myself just ten minutes, and then I get caught up in it and usually spend much more time.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Jessica Jonas:
Three major revisions and countless small ones. There were times when I printed out sections and cut them up with scissors, rearranging scenes and arcs.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Jessica Jonas:
Yes, I sought out beta readers after every big revision. They are amazing and gave me so much helpful information about how the story was landing.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Jessica Jonas:
I outlined in very high-level strokes at first. As I went through drafting, anytime I had an idea for a future point, I added it to the outline. The outline grew from 26 bullet points to over 200 by the end, so I ended up with a note for almost every page.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Jessica Jonas:
I've been querying this book for a year and a half. It's been about 3.5 years of querying overall.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Jessica Jonas:
So many! Over 100 by the time I had a first agent reach out to schedule a call, and then a flurry of about 30 more before the call to contact the rest of my list.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Jessica Jonas:
Mostly just checking that they represented my genre, although I put special priority toward agents looking for specific elements (genre-blending work, psychological horror, "unhinged" women). I also paid attention to agent reputation -- writers' groups can be a good resource to gut-check if an agent/agency is reputable and discuss both positive and negative signs to watch out for.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Jessica Jonas:
Only if there was a pretty clear tie-in, like if they mentioned specific MSWL elements that I thought my book delivered on. It seemed silly to say, "I'm querying you because you represent my genre," so in most cases I just presented the book and trusted it would be clear why I felt it could be a fit.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Jessica Jonas:
First, get very open and comfortable with revision. Find joy in it. Get clear on what the non-negotiable heart of your story is, but the more you can be flexible and see different ways of structuring the plot to tell that core story, the more room you have to make the book what it needs to be. Second, be a good literary citizen. Make writing friends, cheer people on, take critique seriously. Cultivating a strong writing network gives you a community to lift you up and a wealth of resources about craft and the query/publishing process.

Success Story Interview - Jessica Jonas

Query Letter: