Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Kate Emilie

Success Story Interview - Kate Emilie

An Interview with Kate Emilie (protagonist_kate on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Hellie Ogden of William Morris Endeavor.

09/15/2025

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Kate Emilie:
SEVEN DISHES TO FALL IN LOVE is a high-concept YA speculative novel about love in its many forms. The concept came to me in a sort of cinematic-style day-dream, but the heart of the story itself developed over time. I wanted to write about regret, sisters, first love, and what it’s like when the lightest-of-the-light and darkest-of-the-dark are happening all at once.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Kate Emilie:
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I recently cleared out some old keep-sake boxes and found stories I wrote from as young as elementary school. I’ve always loved storytelling, even if I didn’t realise I could be an author until much later.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Kate Emilie:
The concept came to be before anything else—I knew the speculative element before the characters or the plot. I didn’t rush it though, I just sat on the concept for about a year or so, thinking about it while I was going through a busy stage of life. Then, when things settled in my life, I set myself one year to give it my all. I wrote the first draft in 7 months, took 2 months off, edited for 2 months, then sent out my first batch of “fulls” to agents that very same day. My first offer came through 24 hours later. Two weeks later, I had over 20 requests for fulls and 14 offers of representation.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Kate Emilie:
There were times I felt like my dream may never come true, but I never felt like giving up—not really. I took breaks. I allowed other life events to take centre stage, but I always had the itch to come back to writing. I’m so glad I didn’t give up.
QT: Is this your first book?: Kate Emilie:
Aside from the many childhood treasures, my first attempt at a full length novel was during my MA in 2017. That novel taught me so much about writing and even though it got listed for a competition and had some agent interest, it wasn’t the book that made it. I didn’t see through the submission process because, while I intended to finish my edits, I never did. Right after graduation, I got married, got pregnant, moved countries, and survived a pandemic! By the time I was “ready to write” again, I wasn’t excited by that manuscript anymore. And as hard as that was to accept, it was the right call. I rejoined critique groups and got back into the routine of writing. I tried on a few ideas, wrote two manuscripts to the midpoint before abandoning them, then… I had the idea for this one.

Sitting on the other side of things now, I truly believe it wasn’t my time before. I also believe no writing is ever wasted. All of it taught me something, and some of it even found its way into this novel.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Kate Emilie:
Yes, I have an MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University. It was one of the best years of my life and I wish I could live it all over again! Some of my best friends to this day are friends from the MA. I also continue to workshop with a group of alumni.

I have recently completed the Curtis Brown Creative ‘Writing Your Novel’ three-month course in London and I attended the Mslexia Novel School a few years ago, which is a fabulous week-long intensive course. I’m still in group chats with both cohorts! I’ve also attended writing festivals and day events, and I participate in online communities like Jericho Writers and WriteMentor. The writing community is a powerful force—we really can do a lot to lift each other up and keep each other sane.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Kate Emilie:
I’m Type-A; organised is my middle name. However, I also have kids and other priorities, so I need to be flexible and kind to myself when it’s simply not possible to do it all. I try to follow a routine—deadlines and structure are really helpful for me, but they can also apply pressure. Finding the balance is an ongoing endeavor.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Kate Emilie:
I planned this book pretty meticulously. Again, I knew the concept but I didn’t know the story, so when I wrote my synopsis (which I did before writing the actual book) it was an exploration of not just what the story was about, but also who it belonged to. I wrote four different synopses. Once the story was in good shape, I went on to write a 13-page chapter outline which flowed out in one sitting. Then and only then, did I start to write. I wrote one complete draft and did one full round of edits before going on submission.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Kate Emilie:
Through the CBC course and my alumni workshops I had feedback on shorter excerpts which helped at the early stages. I also had a very good friend from my MA give feedback on every chapter as it was written. I cannot thank this friend enough. We have a shared Google Drive folder where we both upload chapters as ready—having that immediate feedback, and the accountability buddy to push each other forward, helped immensely. Then, I had one beta reader, a fellow finalist at the London Festival of Writing, who read the whole thing in two days (my hero) and told me to hit send…so I did!
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Kate Emilie:
Outlined! Through writing this novel, I’ve converted from being a “pantser” to a “plotter”. I will say, there was still plenty that surprised me on the page when it came to writing, but having that detailed structure in place was essential as it kept me on track.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Kate Emilie:
Learn about the industry you want to be a part of. Join writing communities. Be open to feedback. Read a lot, and keep writing. Use beta readers who aren’t just friends or family—lean on the expertise of your writing community. Research success stories. Go to the acknowledgements section of the books you love or the books you imagine your book sitting on the shelf next to one day, and see who represents them. Don’t rush it, but trust when you’re ready to jump. Then, when you’re really ready, give it your all.

Success Story Interview - Kate Emilie

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