Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Kristi Dosh

Success Story Interview - Kristi Dosh

An Interview with Kristi Dosh (AmeliaSCKD on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Rose Ferrao of P.S. Literary Agency.

04/22/2024

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Kristi Dosh:
My agent signed me on a query for nonfiction, but then she also asked to see my fiction WIP and offered representation for both sides of my writing. My nonfiction book proposal is for a book aimed at high school and college athletes and their parents to understand new name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation that allows them to monetize their NIL, teaching them how to maximize their opportunities while protecting their intellectual property. I was inspired after spending the past three years help parents and athletes navigate this new landscape and seeing that there was no true playbook for this new landscape, leaving many to struggle or learn through mistakes.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Kristi Dosh:
I started writing my first nonfiction book in 2011, and I've been seriously writing fiction manuscripts since 2018 (although I dabbled in half-written drafts for ten years before that).
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Kristi Dosh:
I've been working on the proposal for my nonfiction book for only a few months, but it directly relates to my day job as a sports business reporter. For my fiction WIP, I've been writing it for about 10 months.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Kristi Dosh:
Last year, I queried a completed fiction manuscript after parting ways with my previous agent. I did have quite a few full requests and two offers, but I didn't feel like either agent was the right fit after our phone calls. I had submitted separately to one small press, and they ended up making me an offer while I still had fulls out. I went back to the agents with my full (including several "dream" agents) to tell them I had an offer in hand, and they all ended up passing. Although I had an offer, I still really wanted an agent because I wanted someone I could talk strategy with and who would help me make good decisions for my author career going forward. So, I was planning to query my fiction WIP later this year when it's complete, but in the meantime I worked on my nonfiction book proposal because it was more timely. I queried thinking I might sign with someone for just nonfiction, but I was lucky enough to have several offers from agents who wanted to represent me for both, including the agent I chose, Rose Ferrao of PS Literary.
QT: Is this your first book?: Kristi Dosh:
No, I've been previously published in nonfiction, and my first romance novel (under my pen name, Savannah Carlisle) is due out with Harpeth Road on May 7, 2024.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Kristi Dosh:
I never took any writing courses in college, but I've been a journalist for the past 13 years, so I've had lots of on-the-job training. I've also taken quite a few online courses and workshops over the years on fiction writing.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Kristi Dosh:
When I have a current manuscript I'm drafting, I try to write 1,000 words every day. I generally write best in the mornings, but that doesn't always work with my day job.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Kristi Dosh:
My nonfiction project is just a book proposal right now, but I only had one draft of that proposal and my two sample chapters. However, I've sold a nonfiction book previously, so I already knew the format it needed to be in, which made it much faster.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Kristi Dosh:
No, not for my nonfiction book proposal.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Kristi Dosh:
Nonfiction book proposals do require an outline, so I started with that before I drafted my two sample chapters. However, my outline was pretty basic, and then I just dove into writing my sample chapters. I have the benefit of already knowing the material really well because I cover it every day in my job as a sports business reporter.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Kristi Dosh:
I was extremely lucky to receive my first offer from an agent on this query one week after I started querying. I hadn't even finished querying my whole list at that point. I ended up with six agent offers in three weeks and signed with my agent about a month after I started querying. However, last year, I queried a fiction manuscript for four months before accepting a small press offer in lieu of signing with an agent. I've also been agented previously, so I went through the querying process about a decade ago as well.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Kristi Dosh:
I queried 19 agents for my nonfiction book proposal.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Kristi Dosh:
I queried agents who had previously sold sports nonfiction or who specifically mentioned sports on their website or MSWL. I also paid attention to agents who also represented romance or women's fiction and expressed my desire to sign with someone for both sides of my writing, although I did also query some for only my nonfiction.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Kristi Dosh:
Yes, I always customize my opening paragraph to reference a related sale they've made previously or something they mention on their website, MSWL, social media, etc.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Kristi Dosh:
I would caution against the idea of a "dream" agent. I've had a few people I labeled this in the past, but after talking to current or former clients (which you absolutely should do after getting an offer), I've realized they weren't the right fit for me. Know what you're looking for (an editorial agent, someone you can talk to like a friend, etc.) and ask questions of the agent and their current/former clients to assess if they're the right person for the job. Although sales history is important, there are so many other aspects of the agent and the relationship you have with them that are as important, if not more important.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Kristi Dosh:
I admittedly write long query letters, but here's what I sent without the personalization:

Success Story Interview - Kristi Dosh

Query Letter: