Dashboard Literary Agents Success Story Interviews Stephanie Binx

Success Story Interview - Stephanie Binx

An Interview with Stephanie Binx (stephb on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Alex Brown of Mad Woman Literary Agency.

07/12/2024

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?: Stephanie Binx:
My book is an adult dark urban fantasy about a disaster woman dealing with an unusual Hell and equally-unusual demons. I started writing it in response to an informal short story challenge my friends came up with, and it spiraled out of control. What began as a novella turned into a novel that helped me process my own struggles with depression & anxiety, trauma, and debt.
QT: How long have you been writing?: Stephanie Binx:
A LONG time. I think I started writing in earnest in seventh grade. I was one of those kids who was always doodling in class, or trying to write a book in whatever subject notebook I had on me. I vaguely remember writing a story in school about two girls piloting a spaceship together, exploring the galaxy and being best friends, as one does.
QT: How long have you been working on this book?: Stephanie Binx:
About four years, with lots of breaks in between. It took me a couple of weeks to complete the novella, and about two to three years to turn the novella into a complete novel. I wasn't sure where I was going with it for a long time.
QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?: Stephanie Binx:
Oh yeah, there were definitely some low points during the drafting process. Long, rambling walks and hikes in the woods helped me brainstorm. Friends encouraged me to keep going, to take breaks when I needed to, to cut myself some slack when it seemed like nothing I wrote was good enough. I made myself re-read positive feedback from early readers. I relived the memory of a 10pm phone call from my critique partner, who'd just finished her first read-through and needed to scream at me about it. I also just really love these characters and couldn't give up on them.
QT: Is this your first book?: Stephanie Binx:
This is the first book I've completed, yes.
QT: Do you have any formal writing training?: Stephanie Binx:
I minored in journalism, does that count? I also took a few creative writing classes in high school and college, plus a playwriting class.
QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?: Stephanie Binx:
I tend to draft in the morning and edit at night, but consistency is something I am constantly chasing. It's hard, especially with a toddler and a day job!
QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?: Stephanie Binx:
I called the draft that I sent my agent draft 6, but I think it may have been more like draft 4. There were minimal changes between the first complete draft and the draft I eventually gave to my first round of beta readers, but I slapped a new number on each draft whenever I went in to do any kind of tweaking (oops). The most extensive revision actually happened in between my two batches of queries, when I basically rewrote the whole book.
QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?: Stephanie Binx:
I did! I had two rounds of beta readers: one round for each major revision. I also had a critique partner/alpha reader early on.
QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?: Stephanie Binx:
I pantsed most of this book, but my process changed a lot over the course of writing it. Now, I like a loose outline or beat sheet to help me keep my eye on the big picture.
QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?: Stephanie Binx:
I queried this book for just under a year.
QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?: Stephanie Binx:
I sent out a total of 30 queries to agents and ended up withdrawing 5 of those. So let's call it 25.
QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?: Stephanie Binx:
I really wanted to make sure I only queried agents who were okay with the heavy themes my book tackles, though that was sometimes hard to tell from an MSWL. I also was really keen to find an agent that represented urban fantasy specifically, and who repped other genres I wanted to write.
QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?: Stephanie Binx:
For my first batch of queries, I added a line or two of personalization to each query. For my second batch, I didn't personalize my queries unless something on their MSWL compelled me to call it out in my letter. I did personalize my query to Alex and I'm VERY glad that I did, but I'd also received positive responses to queries that I did not personalize.
QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?: Stephanie Binx:
This process is an emotional roller coaster. It's hard, heart-breaking, and so subjective. Don't go at it alone. Get a group chat going, join a writing community where you feel safe. I found other querying writers who consoled each other after rejections, celebrated requests and every shred of positive feedback. I'm so grateful to them; commiseration helped lessen the sting of each rejection.