Success Story Interview - Sarah Estow

An Interview with Sarah Estow (wesleyan93 on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Kendall Berdinsky of Dystel Goderich & Bourret LLC.

02/24/2025

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

Sarah Estow:
PRIDE AND PLEDGE, a new adult romance, is a modern-day, gender-swapped reimagining of Pride and Prejudice set in the Greek system of an American college. I've always loved Pride and Prejudice (who doesn't?) and one day, I was just musing about how the names Bennet and Darcy are perfect modern first names. That was the original germ of the idea. And as a college professor, I had a lot of fun playing with how the themes of the original might apply in an academic setting.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Sarah Estow:
I wrote quite a bit as a kid, but only started writing as an adult about 5 years ago.

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

Sarah Estow:
For about 2 years, with a long gap in the middle while I dealt with my father's death.

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

Sarah Estow:
I put the book on hold while I was dealing with my father's passing, but I always knew I would come back to it. I'm pretty persistent/stubborn when it comes to finishing projects and it was too much fun to let go.

QT: Is this your first book?

Sarah Estow:
No, it's the second (of three) I've written.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Sarah Estow:
No, nothing beyond the occasional workshop here and there.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Sarah Estow:
I try to write everyday. The rule I set for myself was a thousand words/day while I was drafting, but I allowed myself to "cheat" if I wrote more the previous day. It then became a goal to reach the next thousand-word milestone even if I only had to write 300 words. That gave me enough momentum to finish. Plus I was in a competition with my critique partner which, I have to admit, helped me on days I wasn't feeling very enthusiastic.

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

Sarah Estow:
Five so far with many more rounds to come, I'm sure!

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Sarah Estow:
I did! They were invaluable.

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

Sarah Estow:
My first book, I pantsed like crazy and had to cut, cut, cut and retrofit a narrative structure. This time, because I was using the original Pride and Prejudice as a guide, I kind of had a built in outline which definitely helped rein in the chaos. I think I'm an outliner at heart.

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

Sarah Estow:
Just a few months, which I absolutely don't take for granted! My first book, I queried more than a year before I landed an agent.

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

Sarah Estow:
18 total

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

Sarah Estow:
Be persistent. And stay organized.