Success Story Interview - Emily Peppers

An Interview with Emily Peppers (emilypeppers15 on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

09/30/2023

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

Emily Peppers:
My novel, The Suns Rise in the East, is an adult dark fantasy novel in the vein of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton. There is a powerful female protagonist and plenty of magick, romance, and feminine rage to go around. TSRE uses familiar tropes in new, refreshing ways and explores human emotion and mental health with a diverse cast of characters. The inspiration is drawn largely from my own life and experiences as well as my love for the genre as a whole.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Emily Peppers:
I've been writing fiction since I was in grade school. Creative writing is always something over enjoyed, and unfortunately I fell out of practice in my later teenage years while exploring my career in STEM. When I began graduate school, I actively worked on keeping my hobbies alive and luckily I started writing again!

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

Emily Peppers:
Approximately two years.

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

Emily Peppers:
I'm a very ambitious person and don't tend to want to give up. I understand how discouraging the querying portion of one's publishing journey can be though, and I think it's important to remind yourself why you started down this path in the first place. You believe in yourself and that confidence will shine through and cause others to believe in you, too.

QT: Is this your first book?

Emily Peppers:
Yes, my first full book. I started one before it that I abandoned about halfway through when the idea for The Suns Rise in the East hit me.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Emily Peppers:
I took creative writing classes in college, but my degree is in biology.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Emily Peppers:
Not at all. I write when I'm inspired and when I can find the time between my schooling and personal life.

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

Emily Peppers:
I don't think I followed a traditional revision process. I read through TSRE a few times and made edits, I also had a couple of beta readers. I'm now working on further revisions with my agent.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Emily Peppers:
Yes. Initially only one, my best friend since childhood. Her name is Rachel and I wouldn't be here without her!

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

Emily Peppers:
I write from the hip almost 100% of the time. I have a very loose outline and know where I want the story to go, but I always find my writing is more natural when I don't plan much.

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

Emily Peppers:
This is the first book I've ever queried. I had no idea what I was doing when I began. I queried one singular agent in March of this year, and then hit the ground running in April. I received my first offer at the end of August.

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

Emily Peppers:
I sent out around 100 query letters.

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

Emily Peppers:
They had to love my genre obviously. There are romantic elements in my book, so I also strayed away from agents who weren't open to erotica. I also looked for agents who wanted books which were planned to be part of a series.

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

Emily Peppers:
Yes. I had an end paragraph which I changed based on who I was querying.

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

Emily Peppers:
Don't give up and cast a wide net. You never know who is going to be hooked by your writing!

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

Emily Peppers:
This is the exact letter I sent to my agent, but I customize the last paragraph based on individual agents.

Query Letter:

Dear [AGENT],

I am seeking representation for The Suns Rise in the East, a 100,000 word adult fantasy/"romantasy" novel and the first in my series titled The Suns Pentalogy.

My name is Emily Peppers and I am currently a veterinary student at Midwestern University. I have been pursuing my dream of becoming a veterinarian since I graduated high school and went on to college. I graduated from SUNY Brockport with my bachelor's degree in biology. While in my undergraduate studies, I took creative writing classes to satisfy my artistic cravings. I've always enjoyed storytelling and these classes reignited that passion. I began writing again, most notably completing my senior research thesis for my biology major to graduate in SUNY Brockport's Honors College.

Since then, I've moved to Arizona to attend graduate school. Over the past year I conceptualized and wrote my first full length novel, The Suns Rise in the East. It has helped me accept my own identity and neurodivergence. I've continued to improve my writing skills in my spare time and have gotten my work to the point where I feel confident in sending it out to be reviewed. Though I am a full time student, I am also fully dedicated to my potential career as an author. I am ready to take the next steps to make it a reality.

The Suns Rise in the East tells the story of an ancient fae named Aisceythius (ice-sith-ee-us) who has been held prisoner for the entirety of her immortal life by the High King in the North, Kiran. The reader soon learns that Kiran is the husband of Aisce's mother, who conceived Aisce and her twin brother Actaeon through infidelity. Though Actaeon was permitted to retain his freedom at birth, Aisce was kept in the dungeons and forced to become the unofficial assassin of Kiran's kingdom. After nearly a century of rotting in her cell without receiving orders from Kiran, Aisceythius finds herself on the brink of insanity.

When she is called upon for work at last, Aisce is glad for any reprieve from the torture and monotony of her miserable existence. What she believes to be a typical execution turns into much more than she expected when the identity of her target is revealed to be that of Terra Nox, second in command to the High King in the East. With the threat of Kiran taking the life of Aisce's brother over her head, Aisce embarks on a journey that will alter the course of her life forever. Magickal powers, archaic bloodlines, unexpected bonds, and even a forgotten prophecy wait in store for the female protagonist as she learns to exist outside of captivity and face the horrors of her past. The Suns Rise in the East is an emotional and thought-provoking narrative of a powerful woman navigating a male-dominated world as she attempts to break free from imprisonment.

With similarities to novels like A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and The Awakening by Nora Roberts, fans of the adult romantasy genre are sure to enjoy the story of Aisceythius. I believe my writing encompasses several of your areas of interest. Despite being firmly rooted in its genre, complex romantic subplots are very important in TSRE. Modern day issues such as feminism, abuse, mental health and identity are examined through the lens of a beautifully lush fantastical realm. Aisce is a tenacious, fiery protagonist who commands the reader's attention from the beginning. I truly hope you enjoy getting to know her a bit better through my sample.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Sincerely yours,

Emily Peppers