Coylenna Bain recently signed with agent Stephanie Maclean of Trident Media Group, LLC. Congratulations Coylenna, and good luck with your new agent.


QueryTracker: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you’ve found representation? What inspired you to write it?

Coylenna Bain: My book is about an older woman and a younger man. My inspiration was a conversation I had with my husband about a teacher he thought was hot when he was younger. (lol, you asked!)



QT: How long have you been writing?

CB: I have been writing seriously for about 3 years.



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

CB: I worked on this book off and on for about a year.



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

CB: I have felt like giving up a time or two but I love to write. Encouragement from my family and just reading the many on-line blogs and forums submitted by other authors has helped me keep plugging away. When I read about someone who has sent query after query, dreaded synopsis after dreaded synopsis, and they finally get "The Call"...well, it motivates me to not give up. One of the first websites that I found when I decided to take the plunge and write was The Passionate Pen. I encourage all unpublished romance writers to visit this site if they haven't. It's wonderful!



QT: Is this your first book?

CB: No. It's actually my second.



QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

CB: No.



QT: Do you follow a writing "routine" or schedule?

CB: Don't I wish!! (lol) No. I am a high school teacher with two children so I write whenever I can.



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

CB: I never re-wrote it but I kept editing it until I call from the agent wanting to represent it. Even now, I am getting feedback from several contests that I entered it in before I was offered representation. My plans this week are to reprint it and go over it with a fine-tooth comb. I received some really good feedback from the judges and there are several little tweaks that I am going to make.



QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

CB: No. In fact, until about two or three weeks ago I had never heard of beta readers.



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

CB: Pretty much from the hip. I get an idea for a book and I will mull it over and plan it out in my mind for a while before I ever start typing. By that time, I pretty much have the whole thing worked out.



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

CB: This book...I started in January or February of this year (2009). The first book I completed I sent it out for about a year. I got several requests for partials and a couple of fulls. The rejections I got were very encouraging and I felt like maybe I might have a chance one day.



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

CB: Approximately 20 - 25



QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?

CB: I looked at their submission guidelines and their client lists. I picked the ones that I thought my manuscript would suit.



QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?

CB: I did. Again, I studied their guidelines.



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

CB: Don't give up. Research the agents. Look at their guidelines. See if they have a blog or have done interviews. Google is your friend!



QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us?

CB: I would love to at a later date. I know I have an agent, but I haven't sold the manuscript yet. I don't want to jinx it.
Thank you for inviting me to be a part of the QueryTracker Success Stories page. This is my very first interview about my writing. Very exciting. I have to tell you that QueryTracker is a wonderful thing, I only wish I had found it sooner!!

Thanks again,
Coylenna Bain