Agent: Thérèse Coen
Agency: Susanna Lea Associates
Check out our #Agent121 page to book an appointment.
Chelsey began writing stories from the moment she learned to hold a pen. After graduating with a degree in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic studies from the University of Cambridge before training in Magic Circle law, she broke free of her studies and began writing novels full of mythology, adventure and a different kind of magic.
IAIP: We were so thrilled to receive your email to say you had been agented. Can you tell us how this came about?
CH: I’d been looking at I Am In Print’s Agent121’s for about a year, but never felt brave enough to go for it! One day I decided I should just try – I’d been sitting on my manuscript and cover letter for a while and was really curious to see how it would be received. The book, in its original form, had a fair bit of success in various competitions a number of years ago. It led to a lot of full requests but ultimately no offers, although I’d received some really useful feedback. I re-wrote the book earlier this year, and wanted to know how I could make it stand out again, since the industry landscape had changed in the meantime. When I had my one-to-one session, Thérèse Coen asked to see the full manuscript, and less than a week later, she had read it in one sitting and offered representation! It was all so quick that I’m still feeling surprised by it all!
IAIP: Was this the first book you had written and completed?
CH: No – this was the second book I’d completed, then I put it aside and wrote a few others before coming back and editing it.
IAIP: What was your inspiration behind the book that secured your agent?
CH: I studied Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at the University of Cambridge, and began writing my book shortly after graduating – my book was heavily inspired by the history and mythology I’d learned about, and I didn’t want to let go of the subject quite yet.
IAIP: Was it your first #Agent121 session? If so how do you feel it helped?
CH: I’d had a different agent 121 session when I first wrote the book, and thought it would be really valuable to have a session with I Am In Print with a new and improved version. It was great to have some fresh perspective – it’s difficult to know how your work comes across when you’re the only one reading it! I think you get a lot out of having an agent read a query package, as the cover letter/synopsis/opening chapters all require a different technical approach, and some elements will naturally be stronger than others.
IAIP: Roughly how many rejections did you receive before becoming agented?
CH: A lot, over the years! I don’t know how many I’ve received. It’s all part of the process, though. I think I became a better writer because of the rejection – sometimes it made me want to give up, but ultimately it made me realise how much I really wanted to get it right!
IAIP: What have you learned about the publishing industry since you began your novel writing journey?
CH: Timing and luck play a huge part in succeeding. Someone can have a great query package and be a strong writer, but they might still not get any interest – it can be hard to stand out when agents receive so many submissions. That’s why a 121 is so great – writers are guaranteed to have their work read, and I think that’s invaluable.
IAIP: What advice would you give to aspiring writers looking to find an agent?
CH: Write for the love of it and keep going. It’s hard to get attached to a book that no one else seems to care about, but I would say that nothing is ever wasted – every time you write, you’re improving.
IAIP: Do you have any tips on making the most of an #Agent121?
CH: It’s useful to know what you’re hoping to get out of it beforehand. That way, you can have a list of questions ready to go and make sure that every minute counts. Also, take notes so you don’t forget any of the feedback.
Agent: Thérèse Coen
Agency: Susanna Lea Associates
Check out our #Agent121 page to book an appointment.