Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Tzeyi Koay

Success Story Interview - Tzeyi Koay

An Interview with Tzeyi Koay (tzelin on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Naomi Davis of BookEnds, LLC.

05/23/2024

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Tzeyi Koay:
Ignite the Dawn is a YA fantasy novel that follows a girl who can steal time. This unique ability is the only advantage of being a mixed-heritage creature born of the darkness and the sea in a world that wants to shove people like her into the shadows. Set against a vivid backdrop inspired by East Asian mythology, the novel delves deep into themes of racism and colonialism. It's a love letter to my heritage and those who yearn to belong.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Tzeyi Koay:
I've been in love with the English alphabet for as long as I can remember. I started out writing poetry, so I like to infuse my novels with a touch of lyricism.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Tzeyi Koay:
I started writing it while I was working as a lawyer back in 2021. As you can imagine, being a lawyer doesn't leave much free time, so it took a while to finish!
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Tzeyi Koay:
I couldn't stop writing even if I wanted to. Writing is like falling asleep and dreaming—it's almost uncontrollable. I think the best thing to do when you're stuck is just to write as if no one's looking, because nobody is. The first draft doesn't have to be superb. It just has to exist.
QT: Is this your first book?: Tzeyi Koay:
Yes! I actually queried with two completed manuscripts in tow, but Ignite the Dawn is the first manuscript Naomi offered representation on.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Tzeyi Koay:
Not at all. My background is in law and psychology.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Tzeyi Koay:
I struggle to stop writing once I start, so my biggest obstacle isn't making myself write but making myself stop!
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Tzeyi Koay:
I've restarted, rewritten and restructured my book so many times that I've lost count.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Tzeyi Koay:
Unfortunately not. I suffer from crippling impostor syndrome and basically didn't even share that I was writing a book with anyone other than my mother and partner until I signed with an agent. I was too afraid readers would tell me it was the worst thing they'd ever read and that I should give up my dream. I've definitely toughened up since then, and will keep growing stronger as I progress in my career!
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Tzeyi Koay:
There's a bit of planning involved, but mostly I just write like I'm possessed. Very rarely do my stories pan out the way I thought they would.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Tzeyi Koay:
I was extremely lucky—Naomi offered me representation only a few days after I sent my query. I had queried a small handful of agents a year prior, but when no one took the bite, I decided to spend a year revising and rewriting.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Tzeyi Koay:
I started by listing all the authors I admired, particularly those who were BIPOC. Then, I worked backwards, figuring that if their agents championed the books and authors I loved, they might be a great fit for me too.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Tzeyi Koay:
Yes! I researched the authors they represented, their websites, and any interviews they had done. For Naomi, it was easy because they represented a fellow Chinese-Malaysian author I admired. Plus, they had some videos on YouTube that gave me a great sense of their personality.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Tzeyi Koay:
Proofread, edit, revise, and then do it all over again. I know you think you've done that a million times—both for your book and your query. But do it again. I'm infinitely grateful that my self-control—or perhaps my tendency to catastrophise—stopped me from querying more than a few agents the first time around. Taking a year to polish my manuscript to a shine meant I could pitch my best work to many more agents I loved.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Tzeyi Koay:
Absolutely!

Success Story Interview - Tzeyi Koay

Query Letter: