Success Story Interview - K.A. Merson

An Interview with K.A. Merson (kamerson on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Oli Munson of A.M. Heath & Co. Ltd.

12/18/2023

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

K.A. Merson:
I started writing this book almost seven years ago.

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

K.A. Merson:
Yes, finding someone to believe in your work can be daunting. Other than a patient and supportive spouse, I think the most important thing for me was having a community of writing friends who were going through the same thing. Friends who are writers can provide constructive feedback as well as ongoing encouragement.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

K.A. Merson:
I’m a graduate of the selective-entry Curtis Brown Creative six-month novel-writing course. Prior to that I took a few of their shorter novel-writing courses as well as several creative writing courses elsewhere.

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

K.A. Merson:
More than I can count. Probably at least a dozen major re-writes and countless minor ones.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

K.A. Merson:
Yes, a good group of beta readers is critical, and probably especially for a first novel. They can include teachers/instructors of course, as well as writing friends. However, don’t expect to get meaningful feedback from friends and family unless they’re writers.

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

K.A. Merson:
When working on the first draft, I mostly wrote from the hip. However, during the editing process I was more critical/analytical.

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

K.A. Merson:
I made the mistake of querying for this book several years ago, shortly after I finished the first draft. Fortunately, I was relatively quick to realize that neither the book nor I was ready, so I changed my focus to learning. The book and I are both much better for having spent several years learning, writing, editing, re-writing, etc.

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

K.A. Merson:
Well more than one hundred.

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

K.A. Merson:
First, don’t query agents before your work is truly ready. Writing courses, peer feedback, and professional manuscript assessments are all good tools to ensure that your work is actually ready to go out into the world. Second, keep at it. Third, listen to feedback. You certainly don’t have to (and probably shouldn’t) incorporate every suggestion that is made, but if there are problems/suggestions that represent a consensus, you owe it to yourself and your book to give those things some serious consideration.