Ep 79: Querying Literary Agents with Lauren Kay

Write the Damn Book Already

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Lauren Kay's young adult debut novel, We Ship It, was a dream come true, but it wasn't easy to get there. Now, she helps other writers achieve the same joy, minus the roadblocks. Having secured eight agent offers in a month, she works with authors dreaming about a traditional publishing deal to help them write irresistible query letters.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

• The 7-year path to her first novel, for which she received a 6-figure advance (best quote: "Lightning speed in this industry is 7 years.")
• The importance of transparency in the book industry when it comes to timelines, sales figures, and overall expectations
• The idea of an author “deserving” their lead author status (I hadn't heard this before, and loved the discussion around it!)
• How changing our expectations as authors can lead to far better results
• The “before” and “after” of publishing
• Top mistakes to avoid when writing query letters + how to navigate the world of querying without becoming (too) disappointed

CONNECT WITH LAUREN:

Query letter masterclass: https://www.laurenkaywrites.com/insiders-guide-to-publishing

Lauren's YA Rom-Com Debut: We Ship It

Instagram: @laurenkaywrites

Website: www.laurenkaywrites.com

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Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.
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