In dating and in querying, youâre looking for âthe oneâ
The one who understands what youâre trying to achieve with your story. The one who shares your passion for it. The one who âgetsâ you.
And while that might sound like a lot of pressure, waiting for the right agent (just like the right romantic partner!) is worth it.
Your perfect match is out there
If it doesnât feel right, or youâre just not clicking, keep querying. Donât feel like you have to accept the first agent who expresses interest in working with you. The author-agent relationship is a two-way street, and it has to work for both of you.
In todayâs interview, author Jo Morey shares how she persevered until she met her perfect agent, what helps her reset, and how feedback can make a big difference.
OUR SPECIAL GUEST TODAY ISâŚ
Jo Morey
Author
Available Now: Lime Juice Money
Whatâs a myth about publishing or being an author that you wish more people understood?
That itâs easy. People often say, âI have a book in me,â without realizing the time and energy it takes to get those words on the page. Writing and publishing demand passion, perseverance, and a very thick skin. Itâs hard workâbut itâs also brilliant fun. And if you believe you can do it, you should definitely give it a go (but donât kid yourself itâs easy!).
How did you get your literary agent? What was the querying process like for you?
My querying process was a little unusual. Around the same time, I was shortlisted in several competitions, came runner-up in one, and won another. A judge from one of those reached out, interested in Lime Juice Money and possibly representing me. It was exciting, but it didnât quite feel rightâfinding an agent is like dating, you have to âclick.â
I used that momentum to query the agents I really wanted to work with. Within a week, I had six full requests and three offers. But as soon as Madeleine Milburn emailed me with her thoughts, I knew she was the one. She completely understood my vision for the novel and shared my goals. Iâm thrilled to call her my agentâsheâs amazing.
Whatâs the best piece of feedback you ever received? How did it change your story?
For Lime Juice Money, my editors suggested I take another look at one characterâs arc, especially in the middle section. That small note changed everything. I printed out the manuscript (Iâm a pen-and-paper person at heart!) and spent three days in a hotel room with scissors and glue, cutting and rearranging until it clicked. The result was a tighter, more compelling story, and I learned how transformative a single, insightful suggestion can be.
Ready for feedback that takes your story to the next level?
âHaving Alyssa edit my manuscript was truly one of the best decisions I could have made. Her suggestions absolutely made my story better. Then, the very first agent I queried requested to read the whole manuscript after reading the revised pages we worked on!â
âLaura Geraghty, historical fiction author
What part of the writing process brings you the most joy?
All of it. Truly. I love dreaming up ideas, creating characters, daydreaming plot twists, drafting, editing, even copy-editing. And I love connecting with readers whoâve found something meaningful in my words. Every part of the process feels like a privilege. Iâm living my dream.
Whatâs one thing you do (creatively, mentally, or physically) that helps you stay in it when writing gets hard?
Yoga and meditation help me stay grounded and focused. Walking is also magic for untangling plot knotsâI often come up with solutions while driving or walking the dog, so I send myself voice notes before I forget. And I swear by scent: candles, essential oils, and palo santo all help me create a calm, focused space to return to the page.
ICYMIâŚThis week on YouTube, I show you how to leverage a little-known psychological trick to make your novel a page-turner.
Itâs my top-viewed video from the past months, so donât miss it!
This was really nice Alyssa! I felt really motivated to start writing and continue on my drafting journey.
This was helpful. Thank you.