Success Story Interview - Amarie Wheeler

An Interview with Amarie Wheeler (amwheeler823 on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Hillary Fazzari of Bradford Literary Agency.

01/21/2025

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?

Amarie Wheeler:
The Way We Used To Be is a childhood friends to strangers to lovers rom-com staring a plus-sized fashion designer and the contractor, who was actually her best friend and first love, helping her renovate her new boutique. As an avid romance lover, I was tired of not seeing characters like me in novels. Therefore my romance about a plus-sized, Black, neurodivergent woman was born!

QT: How long have you been writing?

Amarie Wheeler:
I’ve dabbled in writing some fanfiction and short stories in the past, but as for serious writing, I’ve been writing since January of 2023.

QT: How long have you been working on this book?

Amarie Wheeler:
I have been working on this book since January 2023 and I’m still working on it. My agent and I are very close to taking this manuscript on submission!

QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?

Amarie Wheeler:
When wasn’t there a time I felt like giving up? Writing a book already takes a lot of hard work, courage, determination, etc, and add in the pressures of querying and comparing yourself to other writers. What’s helped me is to remember why I started this journey in the first place. I love writing and I love telling stories, so I’m going to do that as long as I can.

QT: Is this your first book?

Amarie Wheeler:
Yes, this is my first completed book. I’ve began many, many books in the past, but never finished.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Amarie Wheeler:
I do not have any writing training.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Amarie Wheeler:
I do not have a schedule or routine. I just write whenever I can.

QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?

Amarie Wheeler:
I lost count on how many times I’ve edited this book, but I’ve rewritten it 3 times.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Amarie Wheeler:
Yes, I found a lovely community of readers/writers on Twitter/X and TikTok that have helped me so much.

QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?

Amarie Wheeler:
I’m a serial panster so I like to outline, but end up writing from the hip.

QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?

Amarie Wheeler:
I sent out my first query January 3rd, 2024. This is the first and only book I’ve queried.

QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?

Amarie Wheeler:
I ended up sending out 98 queries to agents and indie publishers.

QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?

Amarie Wheeler:
First I searched on Query Tracker for agents looking for contemporary romance, then searched their individual manuscript wishlists to see if they’re looking for BIPOC authors/characters, OWN voices, plus-sized/body positive stories, and neurodivergent stories, etc.

QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?

Amarie Wheeler:
I did not tailor every query to specific agents. I had a base query that I used for every agent, but if someone made a reference in their manuscript wishlist, I made sure to reference that in my query letter.

QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?

Amarie Wheeler:
Remember that publishing is subjective! Your manuscript may not work for one agent, but will work for another, so don’t get discouraged. Also be patient! What helped me while waiting to hear back from queries was to start working on another project.

QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?

Amarie Wheeler:
Of course!

Query Letter:

Dear Agent,
I am seeking representation for THE WAY WE USED TO BE, an adult contemporary romance complete at 80,000 words that has captured the attention of Wendy Wong (an associate editor at Ballantine Books). This story is a childhood friends-to-lovers romance in the same vein as A Love Like The Sun by Riss M. Nielson. It features a Black, unapologetic heroine similar to Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen, and is perfect for lovers of slow burns like The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest.
Amara Singleton has one goal to achieve by her thirtieth birthday: Establish a name for herself in the fashion industry as a Black, plus-size designer. At twenty-five years old, she is working toward that goal. After spending years running an online shop, she is finally ready to open up a brick-and-mortar boutique full of designs made for people like herself.
Opening a physical store isn’t as easy as Amara hoped, especially with the renovations that need to be done to turn this old office building into the boutique of her dreams. As her savings dwindle, she struggles to find the perfect contractor who doesn’t break her bank. At the recommendation of a family friend, Amara hires a suitable company, but she regrets her choice when she discovers the owner is no one other than her ex-best friend and first love, Theo Sinclair.
After a huge fight ended their long-time friendship the night of their high school graduation, Amara and Theo went their separate ways. Theo went to college out of state while Amara stayed in town. Now to make amends, Theo’s back in town and offers to renovate Amara’s boutique for free if she gives their friendship a second chance. Reluctantly, Amara agrees, but the more she lets Theo back into her life, the more she remembers why she fell for him in the first place.
I am a young, Black, aspiring author who wants to make the world smile one romance book at a time, writing underrepresented characters that look like me. I reside in Cincinnati, Ohio with my mom and a very unruly dog. By day, I work at a mental health non-profit, and at night, I run an online candle shop out of my home and write romance stories.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!
Amarie Wheeler