As in the vein of newly agented authors, we start our Substack with a How I Got My Agent post, right?
I debated posting this for a while, but I love reading everyone’s journeys from the querying trenches to signing with an agent, so I’m here to throw mine into the pile.
It all started when I was a young child who always had her nose in a book…
No, I’m totally kidding.
I started querying my first book, RED LOTUS PIRATE, in June 2024. It did alright in the querying trenches, with three fulls and three partials. I started writing a new project to distract me from querying and when that was finished, I submitted it to the SmoochPit Mentorship Program in September 2024 (full credit to my friend and CP Amber for opening my eyes to this mentorship in the first place).
Note: Starting a new project was the best decision I could have made, and I make this recommendation to every querying author. As much as you might love your first book, you learn and grow with each one you write. Keep writing. The more you write, the better your chances of succeeding!
Anyway—somehow, T.R. Moore liked my work enough to take me on as a mentee (Taylor, sorry, I know I’m downplaying your love for my book *kisskiss*)! Correction: Taylor raved about my book and told me she read it twice before the mentorship announcement. So in October 2024, I withdrew all my queries and submissions for RED LOTUS PIRATE and decided to focus my attention on A FATE WOVEN IN STARLIGHT (fka BRIDGES OF MAGPIES).
I already knew this, but doing SmoochPit revisions drove home the fact that I’d queried RED LOTUS PIRATE too early. I didn’t get enough beta feedback beforehand. I hadn’t learned enough to realize what revisions needed to be made. SmoochPit was an incredible experience and my book is so much stronger because of it, and it taught me the importance of taking my time and really letting my work rest for a while before polishing.
In full disclosure, I took risks with this book and I’ll be the first to admit it. The biggest thing is that the structure is highly unconventional (and yet it can’t be told a different way). If you’re familiar with cdrama non-linear/past life structures, then it won’t be an issue—but I knew going into the querying trenches that some agents might hesitate because of it. My goal, as always, was not to hit current trends or have a pinpoint focus on marketability. It was to find a champion who loves my writing. Marketability is of course important because this is a business, after all, but I will always hold the belief that it’s much more important to write what you love.
The SmoochPit showcase took place in February 2025 and (contrary to my fears) I received a beautiful bundle of agent requests. I re-entered the query trenches with a slight advantage for A FATE WOVEN IN STARLIGHT, and I’m fully aware of it—and forever grateful to Taylor for believing in my work.
Within three days of querying, I had eleven requests (mix of fulls and partials) and two rejections (a huge departure from my first experience).
My first offer came 32 days after sending my first query. You’re here for these stats, so I won’t delay any longer:
Queries sent: 71
Rejections on query: 27
Full requests: 17 (7 post-offer)
Partial requests: 5 (3 bumped to full)
CNR/withdrew: 28
Offers: 2
Request rate: 26.8%
In April 2025, I signed with Alex Land at Mad Woman Literary Agency, totally in love with her vision for the book! (Fun fact: Alex also requested RED LOTUS PIRATE from my first round of querying, which I ended up withdrawing because of SmoochPit.)
It seems like I queried a huge amount of agents in a short time—and yes, my friends often comment on my speed—but I finished my SmoochPit revisions in December, so I spent two months researching agents, checking MSWLs, and putting everything into a colour-coded spreadsheet. By the time the showcase rolled around, I was ready. I felt so much more prepared to send this book to agents than I ever did with RED LOTUS PIRATE. Again, I stress the importance of taking your time so you can give your book it’s best chance.
Some learnings:
Everyone’s experience is different, but SmoochPit was a game changer for me. That said, an early advantage in requests will still play out the same way as if you’d cold queried—agents will either vibe with your book or they won’t.
Everyone says this because it’s absolutely true: a trusted beta reader/critique partner is worth their weight in gold.
Having writing friends is crucial. We all need someone to vent to, to express our doubts, to learn from and support them in return. Natural, joyful friendships with fellow writers has saved my mental health time and time again (and will continue to do so with the submission process).
I learned this from short story submissions, but try not to pin all your hopes on one singular piece of writing. Have hope, of course. Believe in yourself. But do not base your self-worth OR your perception of your skills on rejections, and always be open to learning and growing.
Finally, there are some additional pieces specific to A FATE WOVEN IN STARLIGHT in my QueryTracker interview, if you feel like reading more.
Thanks for reading, and keep writing!
Love this and wow amazing query stats! Congratulations and best of luck on sub ❤️ we need more books with cdrama vibes 😍