Success Story Interview - Shakira Smith

An Interview with Shakira Smith (kirabira26 on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Emily Keyes of Keyes Agency.

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?

Shakira Smith:
It’s a southern gothic horror about a drowned city and the ghosts that haunt the area around it. An agent asked me to write it for them. We met at a conference and she said she’s really like to see a story about a drowned city, and to told her I could write that easy so I did.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Shakira Smith:
I’ve been serious about it for 4 years

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

Shakira Smith:
6 months to write and 2 months to edit.

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

Shakira Smith:
I sent it to the agent who had requested it and she didn’t write back right away so that was a bummer.

QT: Is this your first book?

Shakira Smith:
This is my first book but I have three other unpublished manuscripts I’ve queried before to no success.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Shakira Smith:
Nope

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Shakira Smith:
Nope, I just write whenever I can, whether that’s late at night when my kids are down or early in the day while they’re at school.

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

Shakira Smith:
I had one good edit after using Reedsy to hire an editor.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Shakira Smith:
Yes i had 5 of them!

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

Shakira Smith:
A little of both to be honest

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

Shakira Smith:
I queried for about 4 months

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

Shakira Smith:
108

QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?

Shakira Smith:
Anyone who took horror

QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?

Shakira Smith:
No I didn’t.

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

Shakira Smith:
Just keep trying. It’s all about consistency and a bit of luck

QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?

Shakira Smith:
sure

Query Letter:

Emily,

A summer family vacation down south quickly descends into a terrifying nightmare when Alpha, a pregnant shamanist root worker must rescue her new husband and stepson from the clutches of a racist witch and the drowned souls she commands, all of whom happen to inhabit a town buried beneath a man made lake called Yarnville.

I’m seeking representation for this 85,000 word Southern gothic horror novel which lies somewhere in the vein of Matt Ruff’s “Lovecraft Country” and “Moon Lake” by Joe Lansdale. In the wake of recent historic attacks on DEI programs and the deep uncertainty this poses for all of us, YARNVILLE was borne out of a belief that fostering connection to our ancestors, unearthing the buried histories of our country, and decrying white silence is paramount to healing for our country.

Alpha, a senior in community college, doesn’t have the gumption to graduate or fully explore her family tradition of root work under her mother’s guidance, but does find herself lost in an unconventional relationship with her chemistry professor, Robbie Krumholtz. Soon after she falls pregnant they marry and Alpha is thrust into a new life as an unprepared stepmom to his teenage son, Bodhi. While their new home is being built, they decide to spend the summer vacationing at Robbie’s reclusive aunt Birdie’s lake house in southern Georgia.

As the young family struggles to knit themselves together at the mysterious Wilson Manor, Alpha hears whispers in the house, a boarded up root cellar has a strange pull on Robbie, and Bo discovers the unsavory beginnings of the wealthy town they inhabit. Even more troubling, their elderly host, Birdie, displays a disturbing attraction to the baby in Alpha’s belly and a tendency to roam naked in the woods at night.

While Alpha and her stepson slowly uncover the political and social unrest that led to Yarnville’s demise year ago, Robbie becomes enamored with a friendly spirit who died in 1938, that has taken a shine to him. Robbie’s enlightening conversations with the ghost lead to full on disaster and things come to a violent head during a freak summer storm as Alpha gives birth prematurely. Alpha must use her strong connection with her ancestors and root working ability to save her family from the demonic pull of dark magic and allow the lost souls of the lake to find rest.

I published an excerpt from a previous work in the anthology “Utah’s Best Prose and Poetry” and won a 91st annual Writers Digest Award as well as an Olive Woolley Burt Award for various pieces.When I’m not with family or writing I spend my time nursing in the ICU. I hope you’ll take time to consider this project for your list.

Warmest regards,

Shakira Elise Smith