Success Story Interview - Kevin Wolf

An Interview with Kevin Wolf (TRAILRIDGE on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Gina Panettieri of Talcott Notch Literary Services.

11/23/2009

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

Kevin Wolf:
The manuscript is one of those that is hard to label. It has been called a paranormal western, a historical fantascy, among other things. Its best described as cowboys and werewolves. Instead of the gunfight at high noon, it takes place at midnight and the sixshooters are loaded with silver bullets.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Kevin Wolf:
I have been serious about writing for the last seven years.

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

Kevin Wolf:
I worked on theis manuscript for about two and half years. I completed it in about a year and then kept massaging parts of it.

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

Kevin Wolf:
I was fortunate to have a critique group that kept encouring me along.

QT: Is this your first book?

Kevin Wolf:
I have three completed manuscripts and two partials. My agent has encouraged to work on the sequel to the one she is representing. I plan on beginning that in February.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Kevin Wolf:
No. But I'm a member if Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (CO) and regularly attend their workshops and conferences.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Kevin Wolf:
Yes and no. When I'm working on a manuscript, I try to work at least fifteen minutes a day. It doesn't sound like much but it keeps my head in the story. When I dedicate longer periods to write, I'm bit manic. Sometimes I reel off pages. Soemtimes I stare at the computer screen and get one sentence that I delete at the next sitting.

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

Kevin Wolf:
Hmm. At least six times.

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

Kevin Wolf:
I know where my story begins, certain plot points and the end. In that sense I have a road map. But a good deal of what I write comes from putting words on the page as I think what would my character do and playing "what if".

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

Kevin Wolf:
I began activley querying in Nov of 08. I contacted the agent offered representation in Jan 09. She asked for the manuscript in May. The offer didn't come until Nov.

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

Kevin Wolf:
40+ and a half dozen agents I met at conferences

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

Kevin Wolf:
Becuase my werewolves and cowboys didn't fit either western or paranormal genres cleanly I used querytracker to find agents that represented both genres. Then visited websites, looked to see what they had sold recently, licked my finger and stuck it in the wind.

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

Kevin Wolf:
First be sure your manuscript is ready. Know that what you are sending is not only the best you can do but that it is marketable. And as trite as it sounds, don't get discouraged. Do your homework. I was fortunate to get one of my top picks to want to represent me.

Query Letter:

Any Agent

Any Agency

Big Bucks Blvd

New York, NY

Agent,

Do werewolves stalk the saloons and brothels of BROKE HEART? To find the answer, a man faces gunslingers, wildfires and cave-ins. But in this paranormal twist on the western genre, his own greed is his biggest obstacle.

Set in an 1880’s Colorado mining camp, Kepler, the protagonist, arrives in Broke Heart as a drifter, gambler and disgraced newspaper reporter. When torn bodies turn up in mining towns across the west, the trail leads to a clan of shapeshifters. In the end, Kepler faces down the evil not at high noon but at midnight, armed with a sixshooter loaded with silver bullets.

BROKE HEART made the finals in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category of four writing contests in 2009. It was awarded first place in the Pacific North West Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Crested Butte (CO) Writers and finished third in the Southwest Writers.

I am a member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and regularly participate in one of their critique groups. My great grandfather homesteaded in Colorado in the early 1900’s. For the last twenty five years, my career has allowed me to crisscross the Rocky Mountain States. When the workday is over I spend the evenings exploring the local historical sites.

The first twenty pages are included in the body of this email. I look forward to sending you the entire manuscript.

Very best regards,

Trailridge