Success Story Interview - thomas iannucci

An Interview with thomas iannucci (illtalian on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Ryan Harbage of The Fischer-Harbage Agency.

02/10/2026

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

thomas iannucci:
Sure! It’s called “People Watching,” and it’s a literary short story + poetry collection. Think “There There” by Tommy Orange meets “Bitter Over Sweet” by Melissa Brownlee. It’s my love letter to the people of Hawaii, where I’m from.

QT: How long have you been writing?

thomas iannucci:
I’ve been writing since I was a kid, but began taking it seriously in college.

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

thomas iannucci:
Well that’s hard to say. It’s a collection and the oldest stories were written pre-pandemic. But I wasn’t necessarily writing them for the collection at the time. I came up with the concept for People Watching maybe in 2021, so five years-ish.

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

thomas iannucci:
No, I’ve always been very determined. But there were definitely times I felt like I’d never actually get published. Prayer, reading good books, and commiserating with fellow writers really helped.

QT: Is this your first book?

thomas iannucci:
it will be my first published book, but it’s my fourth I’ve written (not counting novellas).

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

thomas iannucci:
Nope! None at all.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

thomas iannucci:
Not the way I should, though I try my best. I write when I can, as I can. I prefer to outline and edit and do big picture stuff in the morning, when my mind is clearer, and find I am more creative at night, so I enjoy writing the most important stuff then.

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

thomas iannucci:
Hard to say. Some of the stories have been edited extensively and others hardly at all. But I edited on a piece by piece basis since it isn’t a linked collection. The book level edits were largely about deciding story-order, flow, that sort of thing. Maybe adding or taking a story out here and there if it didn’t fit the overall vibe. I’m sure now that I’m signed I will do even more revisions.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

thomas iannucci:
Not really for the whole book, one or two, but lots for the individual stories.

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

thomas iannucci:
Very much from the hip. I am a pantser lol

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

thomas iannucci:
I queried this book for about a year. Aside from a couple query letters I did early on for my first book just to say I did, this has been my only querying experience.

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

thomas iannucci:
Fifteen, counting email and online submission forms. Even tho I met my agent at a conference and he requested my full manuscript, I went ahead and included a query letter when I sent it to him. Better safe than sorry lol

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

thomas iannucci:
I tried to be extremely selective and intentional with my agent selection process, and I think it was worth it. I checked their MSWLs and their websites and their social media accounts too. I tried to find interviews of them if I could as well. Anything to find as specific as possible info on who/what types of books they repped. I also used QueryTracker to find analytics about response rates but ultimately it was about whether or not they seemed like a good fit for my work. I was selective about agencies as well. Overall, I think it paid off. I queried fifteen agents, three in person at a conference, and twelve via email/online form. From those, I received four manuscript requests, two online and two in person, and then of those two agents offered and two rejected. That’s an over thirty percent conversion rate, so pretty decent results. It really pays to be careful and intentional vs just blasting out a hundred queries and seeing what sticks.

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

thomas iannucci:
Well beyond the obvious (their name and agencies), a quote from their MSWL or website bio about what specifically they were looking for that could be found in my book and why they’d think it was relevant. Since I only did fifteen query letters I was able to customize each of them to the individual agent, though they tended to follow one of maybe three formats.

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

thomas iannucci:
“Know your product” is always great advice in both art and business. In this case, know your book inside and out. If you’re ever asked you should be able to pitch it in one sentence, two at most. And know the agents you’re pitching to. You don’t have to be an expert on them but if they only represent YA don’t send them adult non fiction. And be professional. A little courtesy goes a long way!