Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Sarah Ahiers

Success Story Interview - Sarah Ahiers

An Interview with Sarah Ahiers (falen1 on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Michael Bourret of Dystel Goderich & Bourret LLC.

12/31/2019

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Sarah Ahiers:
It's a YA Contemporary Fantasy, with a generational curse that affects only the men on a small east coast island. The main character, Cora, is a newcomer to the island but gets involved in trying to solve a murder that her boyfriend is unjustly accused of. Basically it's a murder mystery with shark people because I can't just write simple things.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Sarah Ahiers:
Oh, since I was a kid. But I've been writing seriously, toward the goal of being a published author, since 2009. A full decade!
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Sarah Ahiers:
Hmm, I think it took me 2-3 months to write the draft, and then another month or so to revise, and then it was ready to go!
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Sarah Ahiers:
Oh for sure. I actually stopped being a writer for about 2 years around 2005 or so? And once you're actually a published author, your expectations shift a lot and I don't know a single author who hasn't questioned whether all the publishing stress is actually worth it? But I think that's a rite of passage everyone has to go through.
QT: Is this your first book?: Sarah Ahiers:
It is not! I'm actually the published author of ASSASSIN'S HEART and THIEF'S CUNNING through HarperTeen. But besides those two, this was the fourth novel I've actually queried since 2009. It took me until #3 before i landed my first agent, and now this one since I was searching for a new agent.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Sarah Ahiers:
I do. I have an MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University. It is absolutely the best program and the most magical place. I love to talk about it, so reach out if you have any questions!
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Sarah Ahiers:
I do not. When I'm actively drafting something I try to write Monday-Thursday for a few thousand words a pop, but otherwise, nope. Writing every day works for some people, but not everyone and I don't believe in pushing yourself to fit a process that doesn't work for you.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Sarah Ahiers:
Umm, I think I just had one edit. This isn't counting, like, line edits of which I probably had 2-3 passes while working on bigger edits. But, yeah. The book was pretty clean and well formed when I finished it.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Sarah Ahiers:
I do! My classmates from my Hamline graduating class. We're called The Front Row because we always sat in the front row. They're my go-to readers, and are amazingly smart, helpful, and supportive.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Sarah Ahiers:
I always outline. I'm a firm believer in them. My outlines are very sparse, though. I also do a lot of character work beforehand and even write a query before writing my first draft.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Sarah Ahiers:
This book was a little different. I queried VERY SLOWLY at first. Because I had had an agent before and am a published author, I had all these referrals from friends. So I sent 2 queries around April of 2019, and then didn't really send any more until September. That's when I ramped things up a bit more since summer was over and I knew everyone would get back to work. So, officially, 9 months? But really more like 4 months where I was actively sending out multiple queries to different agents.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Sarah Ahiers:
Let's check QueryTracker!! Looks like 39? I had a few agents that I queried pass my manuscript onto other agents, so I'm not really sure how to count those ones, but yeah, under 40 or so.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Sarah Ahiers:
I spoke to a lot of my writer friends about their agents and what they liked about them and what they didn't. And I prioritized agents that I had referrals for and agents that I thought would be a good fit for what I wrote. Even after 9 months, though, there were some agents on my list I never got to query because they were just closed to queries.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Sarah Ahiers:
Yes. But that's because they were almost all referrals, so I mentioned that up front.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Sarah Ahiers:
Just keep on keeping on. So much of this industry is timing with a dash of luck. Just because something is a No now, doesn't mean it's a no forever.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Sarah Ahiers:
Sure thing!

Success Story Interview - Sarah Ahiers

Query Letter: