Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Natasha Neagle

Success Story Interview - Natasha Neagle

An Interview with Natasha Neagle (natneagle on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger, Inc..

08/06/2014

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Natasha Neagle:
When I wrote my first novel, I realized the scenes my CPs liked the most were the action sequences. I decided to write a YA Contemporary Thriller with the intent of making your heart race and question who the real antagonist was. I also wanted to write something that emphasized diversity. There aren’t enough books on the shelves that represent what the real world looks like, so this novel has multiple LGBTQ characters, POC, and a character in wheelchair. It was important to me that this not be a coming out novel and showed the characters sexual orientation and disability as nothing more than an extension of who they were.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Natasha Neagle:
I’ve always loved to write, but I didn’t try to write seriously until a few years ago. I was teaching middle school science and my students inspired me to write down one of my ideas.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Natasha Neagle:
This is the fastest book I’ve ever written. I started it in February and wrote 50K. I took off three weeks in March to restore myself and then finished writing the novel the first week in April. In all, it took me approximately six weeks.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Natasha Neagle:
Definitely. My emotions were up and down like a crazy roller coaster when I wrote my novel. I hated it one day and loved it the next. Whenever I felt like giving up, I sent a message to my CPs. They reminded me why I loved my novel and that I didn’t want to give up. Worked every time.
QT: Is this your first book?: Natasha Neagle:
This is my second book. The first book I wrote was a YA fantasy. I love it dearly, but it’s currently shelved. I wrote this novel while my fulls were being considered and was offered rep on this novel before hearing back on my fantasy. I hope to pull the fantasy back out one day.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Natasha Neagle:
I have a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. While I didn’t major in English or Writing in college, I took more Literature classes than required because who wouldn’t want to read awesome books for a grade? My master’s degree was writing intensive, but technical writing is different from writing fiction. I’d like to think my degrees help with my editing skills.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Natasha Neagle:
Write every day for as long as I can. I start writing as soon as I wake up. Sometimes I reread what I wrote the night before and other times I just push forward.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Natasha Neagle:
When I finished writing my novel, I let it sit for six days. I couldn’t wait any longer. I sent it to one of my CPs. Once I received her feedback, I sent it to my first round beta readers. With their feedback in hand, I sent it to another CP. When she gave it her seal of approval, I started querying.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Natasha Neagle:
I broke down my beta readers into first round and second round. However, I never used my second round beta readers. I had an overwhelming positive response to the novel and I didn’t feel it was necessary to hold off on querying.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Natasha Neagle:
I can’t function without an outline. My ADD brain would have my characters doing something completely unrelated if I didn’t follow an outline. Sometimes, I don’t always follow the outline, but I’m lost without it. This novel was very detailed in its outline. The novel I’m writing right now has an even more detailed outline. It’s made writing so much easier for me.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Natasha Neagle:
I started querying this book in the beginning of May and received full requests right away. My first offer of rep came two weeks later. When I sent out my emails informing the other agents I’d queried, I received another offer the next day because the agent stayed up all night reading the manuscript. My fantasy novel taught me patience, so I didn’t expect things to happen so fast.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Natasha Neagle:
I queried a total of 32 agents, 7 of which never responded. Out of the 25 agents that did respond, 13 requested my full manuscript, 3 requested partials, 2 wanted R&Rs. I received 2 offers of rep.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Natasha Neagle:
Using QueryTracker and a few other websites, I made a list of the agents I wanted to query based on whether or not they repped YA, thriller’s, and/or LGBT. I did this while my novel was being read by my CPs. I also used #MSWL on twitter to see which agents were interested in thrillers and LGBT. I also knew I wanted a career agent vs a book agent, meaning I wanted an agent that offered a contract on me and not my book. There is no expiration on a career agent’s contract where there is with a book agent. Searching for this was much harder and I had to rely on word of mouth from agented authors.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Natasha Neagle:
Only if I’d interacted with them or had something to mention, such as #MSWL. For instance, I talked to many agents on twitter before I queried. I wanted to get to know them before I queried because I needed to know we’d get along. I’d mention something from a conversation or include a link to our twitter conversation if they recommended I query them.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Natasha Neagle:
Do NOT give up. Remember that the next book you write could be THE ONE. You’ll never know if you don’t try. Be open to feedback. You absolutely need to have at least two CPs that you’d be willing to bury a body for because they get your precious before it’s perfect.

Success Story Interview - Natasha Neagle

Query Letter: