Success Story Interview - Risto Pakarinen
An Interview with Risto Pakarinen (ristopakarinen on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Joanna Rasheed of Ultra Literary.
07/15/2025
- QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?
- Risto Pakarinen:
It’s a story of wiping the slate clean and getting anew start, something that many people probably fantasize about every once in a while, and I’m no exception. In my novel, the way it’s done is faking one’s own death, and what happens next. - QT: How long have you been writing?
- Risto Pakarinen:
I’ve been writing for as long as I remember, but professionally since the early 2000s. - QT: How long have you been working on this book?
- Risto Pakarinen:
About two year. - QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?
- Risto Pakarinen:
Oh, yes, many times. I guess what kept meat it was simple stubbornness. I have a hard time not finishing what I start, and even though it was probably a good thing here, it can also become an obstacle. I also believed in my story! - QT: Is this your first book?
- Risto Pakarinen:
My second novel. I’ve also written several non-fiction books. - QT: Do you have any formal writing training?
- Risto Pakarinen:
I don’t. - QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?
- Risto Pakarinen:
Once I have the story, I write every day until I get to the end. Often late at night. - QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?
- Risto Pakarinen:
Three times. - QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?
- Risto Pakarinen:
Yes. One good friend, one wife, and one publishing professional. - QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?
- Risto Pakarinen:
From the hip! :) - QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?
- Risto Pakarinen:
Dozens! - QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?
- Risto Pakarinen:
Thanks to QueryTracker, it’s easy to filter the agents who rep others in my special, mixed genre - QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?
- Risto Pakarinen:
I did tailor them a much as I could, making sure I understood what kind of clients they already had, and what their tastes might be like. However, it is impossible to know that. - QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?
- Risto Pakarinen:
Think of finding an agent a part of the process of getting published. It may take time, but it doesn’t mean it’ll never happen. And if you get feedback from agents, try to stay calm and tweak your next query/ms. Don’t count the no's. I also got a partial request that turned out to be a dead end, and it was heartbreaking, but you only need one yes.