Literary Agent Interview: Jenny Lewis and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Jenny Lewis here. She is an associate agent at Darhansoff & Verrill Literary Agents. 

Hi­ Jenny! Thanks so much for joining us. 

About Jenny: 

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

 

Like almost everyone who ends up in publishing, I was always a bookworm and loved reading. Publishing was always in the back of my mind, but it felt more like a concept than a career—like a job you could only do if you were Kate Hudson in a 2005 rom-com. I settled on journalism as a back-up, but after my mom got sick, I changed courses. I moved back home to care for her, and found myself back in my childhood bedroom, looking to the books I loved growing up for the comfort and escape they once brought me. Publishing began to feel more tangible after that—it’s cheesy and idealistic, but I wanted to be a part of the process that brought these books to people who needed them as much as I did.

 

I landed an internship with Writers House, and before the end of my first day, I was hooked—it was entirely different than I had expected, but I loved that the job married editorial creativity with author advocacy. I got my first job at Sobel Weber Associates, where I worked for three years assisting and agenting. I briefly pivoted to the publishing house side, and while it was enlightening to see how things work on the other side of the table, I really missed working directly with authors. I made the move to Darhansoff and Verrill in June, and I’m thrilled to be building my list here. Publishing isn’t always as glamorous as rom-com heroines made it look, but I feel incredibly lucky to have landed in a role I love! 

About the Agency: 

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors. 

Darhansoff and Verrill is a full-service boutique literary agency that has been in business since 1975, representing high-quality fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. We are agents and advocates, readers and editors, negotiators and mediators. The market may fluctuate and the industry may shift, but we remain steadfast champions of creative work. 

What She’s Looking For: 

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent, and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres? 

I’m primarily looking for middle grade, YA, and adult fiction! Voice is always what hooks me first, above all else—I love when an author can balance humor and heart without turning too saccharine or too sarcastic. My taste varies across genres, but you can always check out my current wishlist here! I update it semi-obsessively and it’s perhaps overly comprehensive, so you can always check back to see my current taste. 

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in? 

Growing up, I was obsessed with what I’ve come to call “orphan lit”—give me a middle-grade protagonist that would fit right in to a Dickensian novel and I’m hooked. I know it’s not as popular now as it was when I was growing up, but I do think there’s something timeless to the magic and whimsy in those stories. I’d love to see the next MOLLY MOON or SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS that speaks to the issues kids are facing today. 

In YA, I’d love to see more campus novels, especially if they feature a daring or outspoken female protagonist (think THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS). Boarding school and college novels almost always hook me, so long as they are based in the real world. I love a touch of snark in YA, so bring on your moody, angsty protagonists! 

In adult, I’m a sucker for “weird-girl lit”, and I’m always looking for messy protagonists that challenge me. Anything that sits at the intersection of horrifying and heartening is sure to hook me. 

What She Isn’t Looking For: 

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in? 

I’m not necessarily one for strict genre works. I love a high-concept hook and genre blending, but I prefer works that are firmly grounded in the real world. Touches of magic or sci-fi are always welcome, but I’m probably not the right agent for fully-crafted fantasy worlds. Right now, I’m also not looking for picture books. 

Agent Philosophy: 

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent? 

The author-agent relationship is far more collaborative than many people usually realize from outside the industry, so above all else, I’m looking for authors who I can build a partnership with long-term. In that partnership, mutual and open-ended communication is extraordinarily important to me. Authors need to be receptive to critiques and editorial advice based on a quickly-shifting market, but I also think it’s important that an author feels empowered to speak up if those changes detract from their editorial vision of their work. I take the position that my editorial notes are a jumping-off point for us to collaborate on crafting the best version of your manuscript that we can. 

Editorial Agent: 

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors? 

Yes! I love the editorial process, and it’s so rewarding to see authors have their editorial visions come to life. It’s not uncommon for me to go through a few rounds of edits with a client, first working through big-picture developmental or structural edits, and then moving on to line-edits before we go on sub. I aim to make the process as collaborative as possible. 

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting) 

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter? 

All submissions should be sent to submissions@dvagency.com! I’m the person at the agency who reads the lion’s share of the queries, and it’s one of the most fun parts of the job. The one thing I frequently see missing from queries is a clear articulation of the stakes. Authors can tend to leave that vague to avoid spoilers, but as an agent, I want spoilers. I want to see that you’ve thought through and can express your characters’ motivations, obstacles, and the stakes they face—it tells me a lot about your craft and your ability to implement the kind of edits we might need to make. Grounding your query in classical story structure (character à want à obstacle à action against the obstacle) is a really great approach—it’s classic for a reason! 

I also love a personable query—I know a lot of authors get caught up in the etiquette and formality of querying, but if you’re honest and personable, I’m endeared to you and your writing from the start. 

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you? 

Purple prose! I notice a lot of authors over-writing their opening pages in the hope that it’ll hook or impress an agent, but it tends to turn me off fairly quickly; you don’t need to use an adverb to tell me something you could show me through your character’s actions. The best writing is honest and straightforward—that’s not to say it shouldn’t be artful or delicately crafted, but flowery prose is often distracting. Your opening pages should welcome us into the world and voice of your characters, and purple prose is an obstacle for agents and readers. 

Response Time: 

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript? 

I always aim to respond to queries within 4-6 weeks. Once I request a full, I do my best to get back to them within 30 days. I try to keep it as short as possible, but I know how nerve-wracking it can be for authors—if I anticipate it’s going to take longer, I do my best to let the author know. Communication is one of the most important parts of the author-agent relationship, and I try to hold up my end of the bargain! 

Self-Published and Small Press Authors: 

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them? 

Yes! Self-publishing is not necessarily a plus or minus for me--I approach all queries based on the quality of writing first. My biggest piece of advice for self-published authors looking for representation is to be open to collaboration, feedback, and delays. I’ve said it above, but traditional publishing is a far more collaborative (and far slower paced) than self-published authors often anticipate. As long as you come in with an open mind, we will too. 

Clients: 

12. Who are some of the authors you represent? 

Having just moved to Darhansoff and Verrill this summer, I’m still actively building my list. I don’t want to reveal anyone’s agented news before they’ve had the chance to do it themselves, but I’m looking forward to some reveals soon! 

Interviews and Guest Posts: 

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you. 

My Publisher’s Marketplace page and Manuscript Wishlist are the best place to find this info—check them out to get a better idea of what I’m interested in before you query! 

Links and Contact Info: 

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web. 

Queries should be sent directly to submissions@dvagency.com. Please indicate in the subject line if you’re querying me or one of my colleagues! I’m trying to stay off socials these days, but you can (sporadically) find me on Twitter and Bluesky.  

Additional Advice: 

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered? 

A lot of other agents have offered this advice, but I think it’s worth repeating that “no” is a word both agents and authors are used to hearing a lot. Querying can be such a vulnerable and intimidating process, and it can haunt even the most talented writers. Above all else, I’d encourage authors to a) remember that querying at all is a (genuinely!) brave and hopeful act, and I applaud anyone who is brave and hopeful enough to endeavor on the path to publication, and b) to remember that rejection is almost never personal—I know it gets grating to hear (or not hear) rejections, but a “no” should never be a deterrent to moving forward. Keep writing, keep taking feedback, and keep going! 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Jenny! 

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com 

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change. 

🎉 ENTER THE LITERARY RAMBLES QUERY CRITIQUE GIVEAWAY! 🎉 

Want to get your book pitch polished by a professional? Enter today for a chance to win a free query critique from literary agent Jenny! 

How to Enter:

• Leave a Comment: Drop a comment below by October 24th to lock in your entry. To protect your privacy from spam bots, please write your email address using the "name [at] gmail [dot] com" format.
• Bluesky Bonus: If you follow me on Bluesky, mention your handle in your comment for an extra entry!
• Sharing Bonus: If you share about this contest on your own social media sites or blog, let me know in the comments for extra entries.
• Blog Follower Bonus: If you follow Literary Rambles via Blogger or email subscription, let me know in the comments for an extra entry.

🌍 This giveaway is open internationally! You must be 13 years or older to enter. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

• Monday, October 25th: Interview with Jackie Garcia Morales and a giveaway of her MG Pesky Rules
• Monday, November 1st: Participating in the Thanks a Latte Giveaway Hop
• Wednesday, November 3rd: Interview with Angela Cheng and a giveaway of her YA The Fast Track
• Monday, November 9th: Interview with Karen Foxlee and a giveaway of The Wonderous Tale of Lavender Wolfe
• Wednesday, November 11th: Agent spotlight interview with Riley Jay Davis and a query critique giveaway 

I hope to see you on Monday!

Author Guest Post on Crafting and Breaking the Rules: Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Sisters Alone Giveaway

Happy Monday, Everyone! Today, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome National Book Award-winning middle grade author Shifa Saltagi Safadi to the blog to share her experience crafting a middle grade story and breaking the rules. She will also discuss how she used this in writing her wonderful new adventure story, Sisters Alone. 

Shifta’s publisher is also generously offering a free book giveaway to one lucky winner! Read on to see Shifa’s wonderful tips, and leave a comment below to enter the giveaway. 

Here’s a blurb of Sisters Alone from Goodreads:

 

From the National Book Award–winning author of Kareem Between comes a powerful novel in verse about two sisters trapped in a blizzard in a heart-wrenching story of sisterhood and survival.

Two sisters. One storm. A fight for their lives.

Rama is all fire—fierce, quick to anger, and trying to hold her family together while battling the monster of intrusive thoughts. Leena is all ice—quiet, numbed to the vibrancy of the world, as she silently blames herself for their mother’s death.

When their father must travel for work, a sudden blizzard traps the sisters alone at their rural home. As the storm tears through their house, they’re left without power, without food, without shelter—and with no one to rely on but each other.

Told in powerful, poetic verse, Sisters Alone is a heart-stopping story of sisterhood, survival, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going, even when the world feels like it's falling apart. 

Now here’s Shifa! 

Learn How to Craft, then BREAK all the Rules

When I first started writing with the intention of getting published, I sat in front of my computer, opened a word document…and began. 

I had graduated with an English literature degree, analyzed so many poems and novels that I could immediately understand Shakespearean plays, had a solid basic understanding of grammar and vocabulary. I was ready to be a novelist, just like all those writers I saw on television who wrote from their heart and got their super awesome book deals. I had an idea, a character, and a shiny story spark in my mind. That was all I needed, right? 

Wrong. 

I wrote about 20,000 words of a young adult novel before I got to the middle, and stopped. I had no clue what to write anymore, no clue how to progress in the story, no clue how to make more words on the page until I got to my ideal word count and finished the book. I stared at the screen, convinced I had writer’s block. And if I pushed through enough, the words would come and eventually I would be able to make it to the end. 

What was really happening to me was that I had lost my motivation for this project. Once that initial spark got out of me and onto the page, I was unable to continue. And this happened to me about two more times with two different middle grade ideas before I realized that there must be more to this writing thing than just sitting in front of a computer and typing whatever flows through my mind. 

And so I decided to change gears. 

I googled “how to write a book”, and a whole world opened up for me. I discovered craft books, plotting methods, writing courses, beat sheets— so many resources to learn from. I was ECSTATIC! I love learning, I love formulas and to-do lists, and I immediately threw myself into as many writing courses as I could afford. I plotted the beats of a new idea into the traditional three-act structure model, fleshed out a whole character arc from beginning to end, and actually finished a draft successfully. 

And, the process WORKED! 

I got a literary agent, got multiple book deals with my dream editor and publisher, and my debut middle grade novel in verse KAREEM BETWEEN won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature in 2024. I had made it! I cracked the code on writing books using craft rules, and so it was going to be so easy for me to write another book…or so I thought. 

For my second novel in verse, SISTERS ALONE, I plotted out a story and a character based on the idea of a girl left home alone in a blizzard— and ended up feeling like the story was missing something. So I added another character, her sister. 

But that ended up messing with my plot. So I replotted. 

But then I ended up feeling like the voices and emotional arcs of the two sisters were two similar, and so then I went ahead and redid those too. 

But then the characters were so different, the original plot wasn’t convincing anymore. And nothing can be more horrifying for an author writing a survival story and then feeling like the survival part is off! The very axis on which my story revolved felt wrong, and I couldn’t figure out how to fix it. 

It took many long revision hours, and many long edit letters from my editor to finally get to a final manuscript of SISTERS ALONE that I felt proud of. I questioned myself constantly on if I could do this again, if I had only one good story in me after all, if I was meant to be a writer of multiple middle grade books, and yet, I learned so much along this difficult way! 

I learned that my rigidness in trying to follow the three-act structure was hindering my writing. My obsession with specific beats was making the story feel too plotted and machinated. My editor suggested a five-act structure instead of my original three to allow for more flexibility in the events, and the plot finally landed into place. 

I also learned to stop stressing so much about following the “synopsis”. My characters had a mind of their own when I started writing their story, and the outline of the scenes was not always implemented how I originally plotted when I began typing. I learned to be okay with veering from the original plan. I learned to follow the characters to where they wanted to go, and let them appear authentically on the page. I learned that a plot is only meant to be a guide for me to finish the draft, and is not meant to be the LAW that I base my whole story around. 

Most importantly, I learned that I can BREAK the rules of grammar and literature. 

In SISTERS ALONE, this breaking of rules became a tool in my storytelling. Leena is the younger sister, a swimmer, feeling small compared to her older sister, her “failings” causing her to dwell on the past, unable to look forward with her mother gone, obsessed with creating a beautiful scrapbook of vivid pictures to try and keep her mother’s memory alive. Her poems show up in non-capitalized sentences, lyrical sensory based poetry, and short lines that trickle into each other without much proper punctuation, like the flow of water on a page.

Rama, the older sister, is the opposite. She struggles with anxiety and loud intrusive thoughts since their mother’s death, and her anger bubbles inside of her like a volcano at all the changes in her life that she wants to control, and the past that she just wants to forget. Her poetry shows up in longer lines, repetitive sentences, and LARGE CAPITAL words that signify her boiling panic and loud negative thoughts. 

The sisters’ story breaks the rules of grammar and English literature in intentional ways, to highlight character voice. This deep dive into characterization rewarding, and it challenged me to really dive deep into what would have a distinct character stand out on a page. 

This process of breaking the rules of grammar also empowered me to realize the importance of trusting my own instincts in the writing process. As a person who struggles a lot with imposter syndrome, it is absolutely terrifying to think of people possibly not liking the words I struggle to write. I spend way more time than I should worrying about whether my books are going to do well when they are published or not. 

But I realized much later, after sending my SISTERS ALONE manuscript off to my editor for the final time, that having confidence in crafting my stories IS THE KEY to me being a better author. Because nothing kills good writing like fear. And freeing myself from the rules of “a three act structure” and/or the fear of perception allowed me to take risks that actually made my stories stronger.

Made my story better. 

In the age of AI dominating discourse about writing, where young people and new writers might be wondering if it is just easier to use artificial intelligence to write FOR them, plugging their ideas into some machine that might have “perfect” grammar and sentence structure, I think nothing could be more important than showing readers English rules being broken in published books. Because in this intentional choice of creativity is a reminder to readers that what matters most in writing isn’t perfection. 

It is writing from your heart.

 Thanks for sharing all your advice, Shifa! You can find Shifa at https://shifasafadi.com/

🎉 ENTER THE LITERARY RAMBLES SISTERS ALONE BOOK GIVEAWAY! 🎉

Want to win Sisters Alone? Thanks to the publisher for supplying a book for this book giveaway contest.

How to Enter:

• Leave a Comment: Drop a comment below by October 24th with your email address. To protect your privacy from spam bots, please write your email address using the "name [at] gmail [dot] com" format.
• Bluesky Bonus: If you follow me on Bluesky, mention your handle in your comment for an extra entry!
• Sharing Bonus: If you share about this contest on your own social media sites or blog, let me know in the comments for an extra entry.
• Author Bonus: If you follow Shifa on social media, let me know in your comment for an extra entry!
• Blog Follower Bonus: If you follow Literary Rambles via Blogger or email subscription, let me know in the comments for an extra entry.

🌍 Eligibility: The book giveaway is U.S. only. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

• Wednesday, October 14th: Agent spotlight interview with Jenny Lewis and a query critique giveaway
• Friday, October 16th: Participating in the Silly Pumpkins Giveaway Hop
• Monday, October 19th: Interview with Kate O’Shaughnessy and a giveaway of her MG Brittle Magic
• Wednesday, October 21st: Agent spotlight interview with Cate Hart and a query critique giveaway
• Monday, October 25th: Interview with Jackie Garcia Morales and a giveaway of her MG Pesky Rules 

I hope to see you on Wednesday!

 

Author Interview: Ryan Douglass and Night of Madness Giveaway and IWSG Post

 Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome New York Times bestselling author Ryan Douglass to the blog for an exclusive author interview. Ryan is stopping by to chat all about his gripping new YA horror/thriller, Night of Madness. I don’t usually read much horror, but since this one is also a fast-paced thriller with a highly compelling main character, I was hooked from the start! 

Today, Ryan is giving us a peek behind the scenes of his writing process, sharing how he brilliantly balances horror and suspense, and discussing his journey as a seasoned author. with a fantastic book giveaway! Read on to see our full conversation, enjoy the book blurb, and leave a comment below to enter to win a copy of this chilling new release. 

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

 

Teen influencers compete in a horror movie–themed overnight competition, only to realize the real test is staying alive in this chilling, blood-soaked horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston and the production company behind Clown in a Cornfield.

Mara is a horror buff whose only fond memories of her dad are bonding over movies by Jack Stanley—the producer of the eighties. Stanley’s campy slasher movies may have kept Mara’s fraught parental relationship on life support and gained a cult following, but the man himself has faded from the public eye…until he announces a contest centered around Asylum, his most terrifying film. Five teen influencers will be invited to spend the night on the fully constructed set; whoever sticks it out until morning wins a hundred thousand dollars.

Stuck in a dead-end job, Mara seriously needs that cash. She may not be a famous influencer, but there has to be a way to manufacture an online presence that will capture Stanley’s attention. With the help of her brother and best friend, Mara finds some creative solutions to her dilemma and lands herself onto the roster of the lucky chosen few by way of her engaging authenticity.

When Mara and the other contestants arrive on set, it’s a horror fan’s dream being immersed in the asylum setting, but as the night wears on, they realize the danger is more than movie magic… They’re not there to win or lose but to live or die. As Mara fights to survive, she discovers an inner ruthlessness she didn’t know she had. Just how far will she go to see the sunrise—and will she still recognize herself by the end? 

IWSG Post

 We are also celebrating the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) post day.   

Posting: The first Wednesday is officially Insecure Writer's Support Group Day.  

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!  

The awesome co-hosts this month are:  Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Liza at Middle Passages, JH Moncrieff,  Jemima Pett! 

Optional Question:  Many people are calling for writers who use AI to disclose it. Most who employ ghostwriters do not admit it - do you think authors who use ghostwriters should have to disclose that, too? 

I’m going to skip the question this month. I’m sorry that some of you may have had trouble accessing Literary Rambles. Alex let me know about the problem last month. Since then, I’ve been brave and changed Literary Rambles to a secure site by myself, with Google’s help. The link is https://literaryrambles.com instead of http://literaryrambles.com. 

That made me feel really brave, and I just finally installed Google Analytics all by myself, again with Google’s help. Now I’m trying some new features so that Google sees and recommends Literary Rambles more as a help to writers on their journeys to publication. I’m also hoping these changes will help make my author interview posts more visible, because I feel that with shifts in blog popularity, it’s harder for me to support the authors I feature. 

Finally, I'm really sorry, but it may take me time this month to visit your blog. I just recovered from a bad case of the flu and need to go visit a dear friend in hospice at a nursing home today. I also suddenly lost my dear nephew two days. I hope you'll understand if I get to your blog late or don't get to your blog this month. And the best way you can support me today is to support the author I'm featuring today.

Author Interview With Ryan Douglass

 Hi Ryan! Thanks so much for joining us. 

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer. 

I had a natural love of storytelling even as a toddler. I would always want to read or hear a story before bed, so after a certain age, I just started writing my own so my grandma wouldn’t have to keep coming up with them and my mom wouldn’t have to keep buying more books. As I grew up, I just kept writing to make sense of my experiences. I studied theatre in college, and I think that experience shaped how I handle character. I’m still discovering the writer I am, and having fun on the journey. 

2. Where did you get the idea for Night of Madness? 

I wanted to write a horror story about performance and the way people consume other people’s suffering as entertainment. I was thinking about the ridiculous emphasis we put on social media, and the blurry line between watching something horrible and participating in it. The basic premise came from the idea of a group of young influencers being offered an absurd amount of money to spend the night in an abandoned asylum. From there, I asked myself what kind of person would sign up for this, and what kind of person would run it.  So, you get big personalities mixed with old-school slasher energy, and a sense that things could go completely off the rails at any moment. 

Writing Process

3. Yes, we do put way too much emphasis on social media. Did you plot out this story, or were you a pantser? Why do you think this process works for you? 

I had the major beats, character arcs, reveals, and ending before I started, but discovered the texture of the actual story while writing. Sometimes the things I planned to be scary aren’t scary once they hit the page or a character starts behaving in a way I didn’t anticipate and that becomes more interesting than what I had planned. I need enough structure to keep myself from wandering too much, but enough freedom to enjoy the process. 

4. Night of Madness is both a horror and thriller story. How did you weave both aspects into your story and make them work to complement each other? 

For me, the thriller element is about momentum and solving clues, while the horror element is about fear. The thriller asks, “What is going to happen next?” Horror asks, “What happens when you realize you’re doomed?”

So, characters are constantly learning new information about the situation they’re in while simultaneously losing control of it. The more they understand about the place and each other, the worse things become. I also wanted the book to have the feeling of a game where you’re trying to figure out the rules while sensing that the odds are stacked against you. 

5. That’s a great way to frame the difference between the two. Mara, your main character, finds a ruthlessness in herself that sounds like she needs to survive and live. How did you balance this side of her with other parts of her character so that she would be a likable teen that readers want to root for? 

I think because the situation requires Mara to fight for her life, she’ll naturally make decisions that are selfish, violent, or frightening. At the same time, I wanted Mara to have empathy and humor and relationships that reminded us she’s an ordinary, relatable person who wants things beyond simply surviving the night. I think that contrast is what makes her compelling, because ruthlessness doesn’t erase her humanity. It’s actually an expression of how desperately she wants to keep living so she can save the people she cares about. 

Road to Publication

6. This is your third book. What was your road to publishing your first book, The Taking of Jake Livingston, like?

It was a long process that kind of surprised me. I wrote Jake Livingston in college while I was figuring out if being an author was a realistic career path for me, so I wasn’t even sure if it would be published, because I was pitching various books at the time. The concept was popular while querying, and we sold it in a few months. Then I had the experience of realizing publishing does not make you into a career author after one book. Once it published, I felt weirdly lost, in wondering how to pull it off again. My debut taught me how to work with publishers which is great experience, because I know how it works now. Lately I’ve been figuring out for myself much exposure I want to the industry stuff outside of writing. To be honest, I prefer to be a recluse, and mostly private, and to let my work speak for itself. 

7. I think many writers would prefer a quiet, solitary life too. How has submitting manuscripts and getting publishing contracts changed since you were a debut author? Do you have any tips on this for other authors hoping to sell more manuscripts after their debut book? 

I understand the more exploitative aspects of the business better now. When I was a debut, I was hopeful about enjoying my time in publishing. Now I treat it as more of a job and I know there are lots of things to keep my distance from. That may sound dark, but I do think it’s worth it to be prepared for what it means to business with big corporations, especially for people who have a lot of creative passion, as authors do. I’m less interested in trying to convince a market that a book is valuable than polishing my own distinct, creative instincts, and drawing those out. If I’m constantly chasing what I think publishers want, I can end up writing a soulless version of my work that makes me lose passion for the craft. There are others whose main goal is to satisfy publisher demand and make money, so sometimes it works.   

My advice for anyone would be to develop mastery of your craft. Know what you want out of the business, including what you want your visuals to be for your covers. Don’t assume that the people who work with you naturally will give that to you. And don’t let rejection convince you that your work is not valuable. A career is longer than one book and this industry is ever-changing, with everyone looking at everyone’s paper to see what can be done, and what’s up next. Just be you as brilliantly and vibrantly as possible. 

Book Marketing

8. How are you celebrating the release of Night of Madness? 

It feels like a lot of logistics and making sure I show up for things on time, so I’m trying to actually be present for it and be grateful to everyone who helped bring my third book into the world. With what happened between 2022-2025, and how my career was kind of in this slow-moving place, and how Black authors are being sidelined, that part feels pretty miraculous to me. 

9. How are you planning to promote it in the coming months? Has your approach to promoting your books changed over time? IF so, how? 

My approach to promotion has not changed much, but I am more intentional about collaborating directly with readers. I promote my work with the capacity that I have, but I have to set boundaries with how much work I’m doing outside of writing, which is my real job. I don’t think authors should have to turn themselves into content creators in order for their books to be seen. Social media is useful, but I’m interested in tailoring promo to specific outlets and focusing on reader outreach, so I can build a creative practice that exists beyond constantly shouting “buy my book” into a void. For Night of Madness, I’m excited about the conversations around the book, because I haven’t had conversations with the horror community in years. Campy horror is such a fun genre for reactions. 

10. It sounds like you have a good balance and focus on what’s most important: writing. What are you working on now? 

I’m working on several adult projects because I’m so excited to move into that market.

I’m interested right now in an American Gothic story with family dynamics that’s looking at an underrepresented part of history, and exploring religious trauma. I’m also working on a soft sci-fi project that focuses on achieving personal freedom when you’re behind bars. I’m finishing up another Night of Madness story, so I’m very much still in that world, seeing what I can draw out about the pressures that the digital age puts on young people. But beyond that, I’m trying to allow myself to move at a comfortable pace. Three books in, I don’t feel like I need to constantly prove that I can write a novel anymore, or that people will want to read it. Now I’m much more interested in building a life around my creativity that feels less like asking for permission, and more like setting myself free.  

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Ryan. You can find Ryan at ryandouglasswriter.com and on Instagram. 

🎉 ENTER THE LITERARY RAMBLES NIGHT OF MADNESS BOOK GIVEAWAY! 🎉

Want to win Night of Madness? Thanks to the publisher for supplying a book for this book giveaway contest.

How to Enter:

• Leave a Comment: Drop a comment below by October 17th with your email address. To protect your privacy from spam bots, please write your email address using the "name [at] gmail [dot] com" format.
• Bluesky Bonus: If you follow me on Bluesky, mention your handle in your comment for an extra entry!
• Sharing Bonus: If you share about this contest on your own social media sites or blog, let me know in the comments for an extra entry.
• Author Bonus: If you follow Ryan Douglass on social media, let me know in your comment for an extra entry!
• Blog Follower Bonus:

If you follow Literary Rambles via Blogger or email subscription, let me know in the comments for an extra entry.

🌍 Eligibility: The book giveaway is U.S. only. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

• Monday, October 12th: Guest post by Shifa Saltagi and a giveaway of her MG Sisters Alone
• Wednesday, October 14th: Agent spotlight interview with Jenny Lewis and a query critique giveaway
• Friday, October 16th: Participating in the Silly Pumpkins Giveaway Hop
• Monday, October 19th: Interview with Kate O’Shaughnessy and a giveaway of her MG Brittle Magic
• Wednesday, October 21st: Agent spotlight interview with Cate Hart and a query critique giveaway
• Monday, October 25th: Interview with Jackie Garcia Morales and a giveaway of her MG Pesky Rules 

I hope to see you on Monday!