Success Story Interview - Katerina Tenorio

An Interview with Katerina Tenorio (katerinatenorio on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Kiana Nguyen of Donald Maass Literary Agency.

03/09/2026

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

Katerina Tenorio:
I've always loved thrillers and horrors, and grew up on the Scream movies. Somehow, slashers feel like home!

QT: How long have you been writing?

Katerina Tenorio:
I've been writing since I was little, but only seriously for about a year.

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

Katerina Tenorio:
I started this book summer 2025 and queried Jan. 2026.

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

Katerina Tenorio:
My first queried book died in the query trenches. It took me remembering what I love (thriller/horror) to really write a good book. I stopped writing what I thought the industry wanted and started writing what I wanted. I got my first offer of rep in two weeks.

QT: Is this your first book?

Katerina Tenorio:
See above.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Katerina Tenorio:
No!

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

Katerina Tenorio:
I queried draft 3, but now am on draft 5 with my agent.

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

Katerina Tenorio:
I loosely plan ideas so I have a guiding hand but it usually changes mid-book.

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

Katerina Tenorio:
Queried my first book for 7 months. No luck. Queried this book for 3 weeks. 4 offers of rep.

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

Katerina Tenorio:
32

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

Katerina Tenorio:
Genre first, then based on mutual interests.

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

Katerina Tenorio:
Yes! I didn't do this my first time querying and I think it really helped. If you want the agent to take their time to read your query, you should also take the time to do your research on the agent and customize why you are querying them.

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

Katerina Tenorio:
Don't give up! The book is important, but honing in the pitch/query is just as important! Don't rush to query!

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

Katerina Tenorio:
I cannot, per my agent.