Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Aya Maguire

Success Story Interview - Aya Maguire

An Interview with Aya Maguire (ayamaguire on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Stuti Telidevara of Park & Fine Literary and Media.

10/30/2023

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Aya Maguire:
Basically it's about fated-mates questioning the existence of such magic, shifter-dragon style. I've always been drawn to questions of fate and free-will, and for me the concept of fated mates, or soul-mates, is both completely irresistible and also deeply horrifying, so I wanted to explore that on-page. What happens when two people are tied together by destiny, but have different ideas of what should happen next? What happens if they're intensely attracted to each other but don't actually like each other? I've jokingly said that this book is for anyone who learned about Imprinting in Twilight and thought, "I need someone to explore how messed up that is." And I am joking, because my book is very different from that -- it's a second-world fantasy, there are no vampires or werewolves, there are dragons -- but I am also completely serious. So that's why I needed to write it.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Aya Maguire:
As long as I can remember!
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Aya Maguire:
Since I was a teenager, but really since 2012, but with serious intent about 4 years.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Aya Maguire:
I think by formal you mean paid, institutional? No, I don't have that -- but I do run a critique group, so I read a lot of other people's writing. Beta reading other people's books has taught me a lot. It's easier to identify structural problems -- and thus learn about structure -- from someone else's book, rather than your own.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Aya Maguire:
When I'm writing, I write 1000-3000 words a day, but I take significant time off between drafts to creatively recover and work on other projects.
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Aya Maguire:
I call this current draft "Draft Seven" but that's a loose interpretation of a process that is extremely iterative and fluid.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Aya Maguire:
Yes, many, over multiple rounds of revision. I wouldn't be here without them!
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Aya Maguire:
125
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Aya Maguire:
Take your time. Enjoy being alone with the art for as long as you need to before you query. Take breaks when you need to. Write for yourself first.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Aya Maguire:
Of course! Please note that this is one version of my query, and one of my characters is gender-fluid; I used he/him for that character here but she/her pronouns in other queries, and saw approximately equal request rates.

Success Story Interview - Aya Maguire

Query Letter: