Ep 79: Querying Literary Agents with Lauren Kay

Write the Damn Book Already

Write the Damn Book Already
Ep 79: Querying Literary Agents with Lauren Kay
Mar 13, 2024
Elizabeth Lyons

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!

Lauren Kay's young adult debut novel, We Ship It, was a dream come true, but it wasn't easy to get there. Now, she helps other writers achieve the same joy, minus the roadblocks. Having secured eight agent offers in a month,  she works with authors dreaming about a traditional publishing deal to help them write irresistible query letters.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

  • The 7-year path to her first novel, for which she received a 6-figure advance (best quote: "Lightning speed in this industry is 7 years.")
  • The importance of transparency in the book industry when it comes to timelines, sales figures, and overall expectations
  • The idea of an author “deserving” their lead author status (I hadn't heard this before, and loved the discussion around it!)
  • How changing our expectations as authors can lead to far better results 
  • The “before” and “after” of publishing
  • Top mistakes to avoid when writing query letters + how to navigate the world of querying without becoming (too) disappointed 


CONNECT WITH LAUREN:

Query letter masterclass: https://www.laurenkaywrites.com/insiders-guide-to-publishing

Lauren's YA Rom-Com Debut: We Ship It  

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Your readers are waiting! Let's get your book published!

PublishAProfitableBook.com/Publish (use code AUTHOR25 for 25% off!)

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Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.

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Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

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