Success Story Interview - Kate Duarte

An Interview with Kate Duarte (KateD on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Lauren Bieker of FinePrint Literary Management.

05/13/2025

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

Kate Duarte:
Of course! A DELICATE HUNGER is a gothic romantasy about Frances, who tries to become a vampire in order to save her father from violent debt collectors—but her transformation goes wrong, and she comes back as a succubus instead. I wrote it as a way of combining my love for vampires with my interest in exploring consent, especially in fantastical contexts. It's a book both dark and fun, with themes of female agency, family curses, and religious fanaticism.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Kate Duarte:
I've written all my life but only started writing in english two years ago.

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

Kate Duarte:
Technically, since 2023. I rewrote it multiple times, and it started as urban fantasy before I decided it didn't fit the modern world and set it in a historically-inspired alternative universe.

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

Kate Duarte:
I had brief moments of "oh my God, querying is horrible, and I can't take it anymore!", but I always came back around pretty quickly. I figured if time would pass regardless, I might as well spend it on something I love doing. I'm very goal-oriented (in a way), and...stubborn. I knew my dream career was being a writer, so I kept trying to get better from book to book, and query to query. As long as you feel you're improving—and know you're doing your best to get there—you're still winning.

QT: Is this your first book?

Kate Duarte:
No. I attempted to write multiple bad books before I wrote thiefwip, the first one I queried. Then I wrote moonwip, ADH (in its many versions), executionwip, and started sportswip, my next project. I guess this was my third book, though I wrote some other things in between.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Kate Duarte:
I studied literature and linguistics, and had multiple writing related classes in college. Honing my craft is a goal of mine, so I also try taking any courses and reading every craft book I can get my hands on.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Kate Duarte:
Not really. I'm a chaotic drafter, to say the least, which means I could spend entire days typing away. I love writing outside, and I find it easier to concentrate at the library, but that's about it—oh and energy drinks help!

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

Kate Duarte:
Oh boy... My best guess is 4 rewrites. I've edited it countless times.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Kate Duarte:
Yes! For each draft.

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

Kate Duarte:
I outlined, but I'm more of a mix of plotter and pantser. It's nice to know the general beats, but I like to discover my story as I go, too.

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

Kate Duarte:
I started querying in 2023. A DELICATE HUNGER was queried from February 27 to April 8, when it got an offer.

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

Kate Duarte:
85.

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

Kate Duarte:
Sales, genres they repped, and I asked for friends' recommendations. Query Tracker is godsend, but I'd also recommend getting PM for even just a month while you're making your list.

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

Kate Duarte:
No. I didn't personalize the majority of my queries.

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

Kate Duarte:
Make friends and organic relationships with other writers. Pay attention to the market and read a ton. Pay for PM for a day or a month, or reach out to someone who could look up sales for you. Don't sign with anyone just say you're agented. You're most probably not going to be the exception—know how querying works and follow the guidelines, or only break them with purpose.

QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?

Kate Duarte:
Of course!

Query Letter:

Dear Lauren,

Thank you so much for requesting my manuscript. Having amicably parted ways with my previous agent, I’m seeking representation for A DELICATE HUNGER, an 80,000 words Adult Gothic Romantasy, in which a woman tries to become a vampire to protect her father from debt collectors—but she comes back wrong. The gothic atmosphere of Alexis Henderson’s House of Hunger meets the bisexual, polyamorous yearning of Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright, in A DELICATE HUNGER. This book will appeal to fans of Midnight Mass’ portrayal of religious trauma.

Frances is an expert at hiding her true self from her pious, judgmental island—and keeping her distance from the vampires that prowl the streets at night. But when violent money lenders come for her father’s debt, becoming a monster is her only hope, so Frances chooses to be turned.

But Frances’ transformation goes wrong, and she can’t survive on blood—like a succubus, she must feed on sexual gratification. Refusing to harm innocents, she turns to Samson, the grumpy but kindhearted vampire who turned her, for help. Samson shows Frances a new world, where she’s free to be herself and explore her queerness. A world where it’s okay to be a little monstrous. Her supernatural powers grow by the day, though no power comes without a price—using them damages her mind, making her even less human.

When a young, charismatic priest hellbent on killing all vampires arrives on the island, the locals take up arms. Hunted by mortals and fighting her insatiable hunger, Frances must decide whether to side with the hunters for her own protection, letting the priest and his cult destroy the vampires she has grown to love, or to protect them, risking her sanity in the process—and unleashing the monster she’s always tried to keep chained.