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An Interview with Barbra Annino
(A QueryTracker Success Story)
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Barbra Annino recently signed with Jack Byrne Sternig & Byrne. She has graciously agreed to be interviewed by QueryTracker in hopes of helping other writers fulfill the dreams. QueryTracker: How long have you been writing? Barbra Annino: I've been a freelance writer for about twelve years. Before that I was a technical writer. I started my first fiction project in January 07. QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course? BA: Nope. I've wanted to be a professional write since I was fourteen. QT: Is this your first book? BA: Yes. QT: How long have you been working on this book? BA: I wrote it in four months. QT: Do you have any formal writing training? BA: I was an English major with a writing emphasis. QT: Do you follow a writing "routine" or schedule? BA: For this book, yes. I'd sit at my computer from 7-7, minus lunch and workout, but actual writing time was probably five hours/day, Monday through Friday. QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your novel? BA: I would start each day by editing the previous days' work. Then it probably went through five or so edits. QT: Did you have beta readers for your novel? BA: I gave it to many friends and family members, all of which provided excellent feedback. QT: Did you outline your novel, or do you write from the hip? BA: I outlined thoroughly. It started with the character and her name, then a rough plot. By the end of the month I took to do the backstory, I had sketched all the main and most of the secondary characters, had the general plot, setting, and time-frame. QT: How long have you been querying for this book? BA: I started in October 07. QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried? BA: Genre, client list, interviews. If the person seemed right for my style, they were on the list! QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how? BA: Yes, at first. But later, I just opened with "I understand you represent mysteries..." QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents? BA: Don't quit! I sent out so many queries, it's almost embarrassing. But I was getting requests, so I knew eventually I'd find the agent that loved my book. QT: Would you be willing to share your query with us? BA: Sure! Chicago reporter, Stacy Justice, was born with a magic wand in her mouth. So when a spirit guide smacks her on the head she knows trouble is brewing. What she doesn’t know is that her grandfather has been poisoned—or that the police are about to lock up Grandma Birdie for it. Now, Birdie wants Stacy to use her psychic intuition to clear her name. But Stacy turned her back on her gift long ago, after a premonition lead to her father’s death. And she’s not sure Birdie is innocent. Still, Stacy is determined to figure out what happened to Gramps. So she high-tails it to her hometown of Amethyst, a place she describes as the Twilight Zone on acid, where every truth leads to more secrets. What’s worse? Her ex-boyfriend is stalking her, her cousin has anger management issues and the cop she’s hot for thinks she’s as loony as the rest of her family. Not to mention someone keeps throwing pennies at her. If she doesn’t figure it out soon and embrace the ability she was born with, she’ll lose everything—her family, her job…even her life. UNCOVERING AMETHYST is complete and stems from years of studying pagan religions. My writing credentials include a degree in English/Writing, technical and corporate writing, staff writer for Illinois Magazine, contributing editor for Radish Magazine and freelance writer for several others. Currently, I am working on the next book in this series.
Here’s a taste: Then I would include the first page- which I highly recommend. I didn't do that in the beginning and I wish I had. QT: Here is your chance to plug your book. Tell us a little about it. BA: Well it's funny, in the vein of Evanovich, but it has some emotional turmoil as well as magical elements. I billed it as a paranormal mystery, with the emphasis on family and a little romance for fun! Anyone can read a chapter at www.barbraannino.com. QT: Thank you for your time, and good luck with your book. |