Success Story Interview - M. A. Crane

An Interview with M. A. Crane (MicheleLynch on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Jess Gilbert of D4EO Literary Agency.

11/09/2026

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

M. A. Crane:
Protective Custody is an adult romantic suspense novel and actually a prequel to a mafia story I wrote back in the 1990s.

At its heart, it's a love story about a woman with a dangerous past and a man who falls in love with her without knowing who she really is.

The inspiration actually came from the Backstreet Boys' song As Long As You Love Me. When I first heard it in 1997, I was captivated by the idea of a man loving a woman regardless of who she was or what she'd done in her past. That idea eventually became the foundation for Laci and Addison's story. It's a story about love, trust, second chances, and whether someone can truly escape their past.

QT: How long have you been writing?

M. A. Crane:
I've been writing since the fifth grade, when I wrote my first work of fiction, Lyre the Unicorn. I've written several manuscripts over the years, although there were some long breaks along the way. Nursing school, work, family… life!

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

M. A. Crane:
On and off for about 20 years.

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

M. A. Crane:
Absolutely. For years, I never felt my writing was "good enough." I'm a nurse, not an English major, and I lacked the confidence to pursue publishing. What brought me back was my love for the characters I'd created and the realization that writing a novel was a dream I wasn't ready to give up.

QT: Is this your first book?

M. A. Crane:
Protective Custody is my first novel to reach this stage, but certainly not the first manuscript I've written! I've recently revisited some of my earlier work and discovered a few stories with real potential, and I'm excited to bring them to life!

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

M. A. Crane:
LOL! Work as a nurse for over 30 years and you'll have enough stories and characters to fill a library! But as far as formal writing training goes, I took a creative writing class about a quarter of a century ago. Add in a very long subscription to Writer's Digest, a few YouTube videos, and a whole lot of trial and error, and here I am!

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

M. A. Crane:
Before I signed with my agent, I wrote whenever the mood struck me. Now, I write religiously every day, sometimes all day! It's become something of an obsession. My brain won't let me sleep until I get that scene down on paper. Thank God for Post-it notes!

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

M. A. Crane:
Ohhh, too many to count! I was constantly revising, convinced there was always something I could improve. Eventually, I had to learn to trust my writing and recognize when the story was ready. Jess's feedback helped me focus my revisions and make the book even stronger.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

M. A. Crane:
Does family count? I was pleasantly surprised by their honest feedback, especially when it came to pacing. But when they started referring to my characters by name or recalling scenes that made them laugh out loud, I realized something. Maybe I really did have something worth sharing!

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

M. A. Crane:
No outline! I see the story play out in my head like a movie, and the words just flow onto the page. If only the scenes came to me in order! It's like making a patchwork quilt—a scene here, a scene there, and somehow, I manage to stitch them all together into a story!

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

M. A. Crane:
I sent my first query for Protective Custody on July 6, 2026, and received my first rejection the very next day! Oddly enough, I was thrilled! For the first time, I felt like a "real" writer. I was so excited I actually wanted to send the rejecting agent a thank-you note!

On August 26, I queried Jess Gilbert, and she requested the full manuscript very quickly. Then came the rejection. Talk about a crash landing! Ouch. That one hurt.

I asked Jess for feedback. Anything at all, please! To my surprise, she took the time to offer constructive criticism and said she'd be open to a revise and resubmit (R&R).

But it was something else she said that changed everything. She told me there was "a lot of good" in my story. Those few words gave me the confidence I'd been missing for years. That was all I needed to hear. I wasn't giving up!

I followed her feedback like a roadmap and resubmitted on October 1. Jess offered another suggestion for an early chapter, which I immediately revised. On October 5, just shy of three months after sending my first query, she offered representation!

And on October 23, Protective Custody went on submission to 33 publishers! Now I'm crossing my fingers, wishing, hoping, praying… and trying very hard to be patient!

It's surreal. It really is.

Thank you, Jess Gilbert. Thank you, Backstreet Boys.

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

M. A. Crane:
I sent approximately 33 query letters, both through QueryTracker and directly by email.

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

M. A. Crane:
An agent's manuscript wish list was crucial! I looked for agents interested in adult romantic suspense who were open to books with series potential. I also researched the authors they represented and their submission guidelines. I wanted an agent who would not only love my story but also recognize its potential as a series.

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

M. A. Crane:
Absolutely! I paid close attention to each agent's manuscript wish list and personalized my queries to explain why I thought Protective Custody might be a good fit. I wanted them to know I'd done my homework and wasn't just sending out the same generic letter to everyone.

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

M. A. Crane:
You're better than you think you are! Don't be afraid to ask for feedback and be open to the suggestions you receive. Most importantly, don't stop writing. You never know what masterpiece might pop into your head and flow onto the page!

A rejection doesn't necessarily mean your story isn't good enough. Sometimes it just needs a little work. I'm living proof of what can happen when you take constructive criticism to heart. If I hadn't asked Jess for feedback, I wouldn't be where I am today! And for that, I am truly grateful.