Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Mallory Whitmore

Success Story Interview - Mallory Whitmore

An Interview with Mallory Whitmore (mallorythomas on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Wendy Sherman of Wendy Sherman Associates.

04/24/2024

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Mallory Whitmore:
WINNING THE FEEDING WARS is a prescriptive non-fiction book that provides education, how-tos, tips and tricks and encouragement for new parents who formula feed. I was inspired to write it by my own feeding journey with my daughter (nearly 8 years ago)! I felt a ton of pressure to breastfeed, and had done all the "right things"-- took the classes, read the books, worked with a lactation consultant, scoured Instagram and forums for advice-- and it still didn't work out for us. I was shocked to find that none of those same resources existed for formula feeding parents, so I decided to learn everything I could and start creating them myself.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Mallory Whitmore:
Is it cliche to say I've wanted to be a writer since childhood? Everyone says that, I know, but it's absolutely true in my case. That said, I took a long break from writing in my adult years while I was building a family and a career. I just got back into writing consistently about 7 months ago.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Mallory Whitmore:
The best thing about writing non-fiction is that you don't have to write the whole book before querying it! I worked on the proposal for about a month which is quicker than most, I'd assume. I was laser-focused on getting it done and out in the world quickly!
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Mallory Whitmore:
For this project? No. I had a very clear vision of the book from the start, and I knew intimately how many parents desperately need a book like this-- that helped me stay focused. For fiction projects, though? I've wanted to give up all the time! It requires a totally different part of my brain to write fiction and sometimes that part feels like it's melting.
QT: Is this your first book?: Mallory Whitmore:
No, I also have a completed novel that I was querying simultaneously but that project will take a backseat for now!
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Mallory Whitmore:
No, though I do like to consider myself a student of the craft. I've read a lot of craft books and pay close attention while I'm reading other authors to what works, what I like or don't like, what feels compelling, etc.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Mallory Whitmore:
I have a full-time job and two young kids so most of my writing happens between 8:30-11:30pm. It's not ideal (my brain is half-dead by then) but it's the only consistent time-frame available to me in this season. I don't force myself to write every day, but when I write I aim for at least 1000 words. I personally don't do well writing a little bit (or for a short period) at a time. I really need a consolidated block of time to work!
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Mallory Whitmore:
I had two different outlines mapped out for the book, and the winning proposal was the second of the two.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Mallory Whitmore:
I didn't for this proposal, no.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Mallory Whitmore:
The nature of a non-fiction proposal structure forced me to outline, though I would've outlined regardless! I'm definitely a plotter-- I need to know where the book is going, at least loosely, before I start writing.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Mallory Whitmore:
With this book, the process happened incredibly fast. I had an offer within a week of sending my first batch of queries, which is obviously not typical! For my romance, I'd been querying for about 4 months but have since withdrawn those queries while I work on this non-fiction project.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Mallory Whitmore:
I sent out 15 over the course of a few days.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Mallory Whitmore:
I was very particular about which agents to query for this book. First, I looked for agents who currently represent influencer-experts and who have sold books in the non-fiction parenting niche. Then, I narrowed that list to only include agents that also represent romance, since I plan to continue writing fiction as well. I wanted an agent who could represent both if possible!
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Mallory Whitmore:
I tailored a query if I either had a personal connection to a current client of theirs, or if I had read and appreciated a book that they represent.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Mallory Whitmore:
For prescriptive non-fiction, develop a platform. It doesn't necessarily need to be a social media presence, but some sort of platform that shows that you have authority to speak about the topic and an audience that is interested in what you have to say. There's so little in this querying process that authors can control and developing a platform IS something that is controllable! There's some luck involved, yes, but platform-building is also a learnable skill. Study it, practice it, commit the hours to doing it. For fiction writers, have an appropriate expectation for how slowly the querying process can be, and find something life-giving to fill that time. Work on a new project, take up a non-writing creative hobby, do something that you're good at and will receive positive feedback while doing.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Mallory Whitmore:
Sure! Pasted below.

Success Story Interview - Mallory Whitmore

Query Letter: