Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Samantha Meyer

Success Story Interview - Samantha Meyer

An Interview with Samantha Meyer (samantha03meyer on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates.

12/11/2024

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Samantha Meyer:
Still The One is a dual timeline sapphic rom-com that follows a girl who's high school more-than-friends situationship grows up to be the world's biggest popstar. The two reconnect on a cross country road trip, but the paparazzi are hot on their trail, and secrets from their past and the popstars controlling family threaten their rekindling connection. It's such a fun book, equal parts nonsense and heart with a giant spoonful of teenage angst on top. I wanted to write something that spoke to some of the feelings I had in middle and high school but through the fantastical lens of a romcom.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Samantha Meyer:
Since I was a kid, I've always made up elaborate stories in my head and spent a considerable amount of time "daydreaming" (according to every report card I ever got in school). I only sometimes wrote those stories down. Whenever I did, it felt like a Big Deal, and I had to grow into myself enough to make writing a regular thing. I joined a writers group in 2020 and that really helped to break the ice, and I've been writing consistently since then.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Samantha Meyer:
I had the idea for Still The One in April of 2022 after staying up all night at a friend's bachelorette party, and wrote the opening page in a sleep deprived daze. That summer I wrote some of chapter 1, pretty much all of chapter 2, and made a start on 3. Then I put it away for a year to work on some other projects while the idea marinated. Last summer (2023) I went to a writers retreat (at my beloved La Muse in France, always my source of inspiration and community!), and picked the draft back up, wrote the rest between August and November, revised it and began querying in March of this year (2024).
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Samantha Meyer:
Honestly, not really. I had outlined the whole book and knew what I needed to do. My sister is my first reader and developmental editor for my work, and I think she would have literally fought me if I didn't finish the draft. Also, I made the mistake of letting my parents read the first few chapters and they were relentless about wanting to read the rest of the book. So I was very motivated!
QT: Is this your first book?: Samantha Meyer:
It is the first manuscript I completed. I have several other unfinished drafts floating on my google drive as well, and have written more than one novel length fanfic (the best writing practice! If you see me on AO3, no you didn't.) I also wrote another book this year, which was the best distraction from querying anxiety.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Samantha Meyer:
Not beyond high school and an English minor in college! I was lucky in that the school I attended from kindergarten- 8th grade really emphasized writing skills and gave me a very strong foundation. Also I read and was read to constantly as a kid, and still read a ton tonday in my free time. Books are the best teachers!
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Samantha Meyer:
I write on Tuesday mornings and Fridays, and am lucky that I can make my own work schedule to allow for that time during the work week. I also will usually have a "hell week" where I knock out the last quarter of a manuscript in one week by just writing in every spare second. It helps me get past the "end of the book" anxiety.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Samantha Meyer:
I did- five in total that were friends and family, and then a mentor that edited the first 30 pages (shout out to Round Table Mentors and my wonderful mentor Eunice!)
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Samantha Meyer:
I have a beautiful color coded outline for this book that I often stared at lovingly while drafting. I can be a bit of a pantser by nature because I love discovering as I write, but after years of experimentation, I've found that an outline gives me the freedom to play without feeling like I'm gonna burn the house down.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Samantha Meyer:
I started querying in March and got my offer in November. So altogether about 8 months. This was the first novel that I've queried.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Samantha Meyer:
I sent 216 queries for Still The One. I know, it's a lot!
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Samantha Meyer:
I queried anyone who was currently open to my genre and was at a reputable agency. I would look at MSWLs to pick which agent from an agency to query first when there were multiple at the same agency that represented my genre. I would also look at response rates/timeframes and tried to prioritize agents that were more likely to respond, especially early on when I needed to see if my query was working.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Samantha Meyer:
I didn't personalize other than pasting in the agent's full name unless I had met that agent at a conference or they specifically requested personalization on their MSWL. I just didn't find that personalizing queries except in those situations was much of a help.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Samantha Meyer:
To me, querying is a numbers game! After I'd gotten enough feedback to know that my submission package was in good shape and there were no glaring issues with my manuscript, it was just about getting the book on the right desk at the right time. I'm fortunate that so many agents represented my genre, so there were lots of opportunities! You never know which agent could be ~the one~ so don't self reject!
I also highly recommend working on another project while querying. The book I wrote this year saved me so much stress and anxiety, and it's probably the most fun I've had writing anything ever. The rejection can be grueling, so write something that reminds you of the joy.
QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?: Samantha Meyer:
Sure!

Success Story Interview - Samantha Meyer

Query Letter: