Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Marc Librescu

Success Story Interview - Marc Librescu

An Interview with Marc Librescu (mlibrescu on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Lindsey Smith of Speilburg Literary Agency.

02/05/2026

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Marc Librescu:
I’m editing a book of essays about music, written by musicians, entertainment industry professionals, writers, and other creatives. The idea grew out of a lifelong interest in music and the relationships people form wtih songs.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Marc Librescu:
My first published piece appeared in the Los Angeles Times in 1991.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Marc Librescu:
Two years and three months.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Marc Librescu:
I did take a break from the project for a while. I never gave up on the book itself, but I did step away from querying and planned to self-publish. After reassessing the project, I decided to send out a few final queries.
QT: Is this your first book?: Marc Librescu:
Yes.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Marc Librescu:
I took a creative writing course while studying at the School of Visual Arts and later an adult education class in travel writing.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Marc Librescu:
I usually wake up and edit for an hour or so, then have breakfast with my wife. After that, I’m back in my home office for most of the day, with a break for lunch.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Marc Librescu:
Not yet. It’s still a work in progress.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Marc Librescu:
About a year and a half.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Marc Librescu:
Approximately 90 agents.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Marc Librescu:
I focused on agents who specifically stated they were looking for projects related to music or pop culture. If an agent listed pop culture but the agency’s website didn’t show any comparable books, I moved on. Toward the end of the process, I also avoided agents who claimed interest in nearly every genre, which I found to be a red flag.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Marc Librescu:
Yes. When possible, I referenced a project the agent had worked on that felt similar to mine. Otherwise, I mentioned a relevant book listed on the agency’s website.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Marc Librescu:
This applies especially to nonfiction writers. If you truly believe in your project and keep getting rejections, the issue may not be the book itself—it may be the proposal. After a year and a half, I realized mine wasn’t strong enough. I rewrote it, and soon after, I signed with an agent.