When did you start writing?

I have wanted to be a writer since sixth grade when I learned about baobab trees in Geography class. But it took almost twenty-six years before I drafted my first adult novel. 

How did you find your agent?

To find an agent you need a polished novel, a good query, persistence, luck, the feather of a dodo bird, and a drop of unicorn blood. I met my agent, Helen Lane, in an old-fashioned way: I sent her a query. The first time, I queried Helen with my second book, Hunter’s Treasure. She requested my full manuscript, but in the end, she rejected it with the most lovely note. Six months later, I queried Helen again with my third book, Digging Dr Jones. She loved the manuscript so much that she offered to represent me. 

You can read my query letter here.

How long did it take you to find your agent?

Five years and three books. English is my second language, and I also have dyslexia, so I’m a slow reader and writer. With each book I wrote, my writing improved, and I also learned how to write a good query letter. I started querying Digging Dr Jones in January. In the middle of March, Helen asked to read the manuscript, and by the end of May, she offered representation.

How do I improve my writing?

Take writing classes and webinars, listen to podcasts on writing and about the publishing industry, (re)read books about writing, and find honest critique partners who write in the same genre. You can find all my favorite resources here.

Where do I find critique partner(s)?

Google local writing groups and check out Bianca’s Beta Reader Match Up. Bianca helped me find fantastic CPs who are now my writing partners and friends.