From 120 Queries to Agent Success: How One Author's Voice-First Approach Landed Her Dream Rep
In the spotlight: Jaclyn Westlake
For our author spotlight this month, we're thrilled to feature our friend Jaclyn Westlake, author of Dear Dotty and the upcoming Lucky Break, who proves that persistence paired with strategy can break through even the most crowded query inboxes.
“I truly believe that what separates writers who get published from those who don’t is persistence.”
After sending 120 queries over nine months and collecting more than 100 rejections, Jaclyn finally connected with her agent—and it all came down to a query letter that prioritized voice above all else. Her journey from recruiter to published novelist offers invaluable insights for writers navigating the often overwhelming world of agent querying, including the exact query letter that sealed the deal and her refreshingly honest take on what it really takes to survive the submission trenches.
Here’s our Q&A
Can you tell us about your own query journey—what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised you?
"Journey" is definitely the right word.
I first queried Rachel Beck at Liza Dawson Associates in September 2021 and signed with her in June 2022. In between, there were about 120 queries, 20 or so requests, more than 100rejections, and a lot of inbox refreshing. Like, a lot.
Rachel was actually one of the very first agents I queried. I found her through QueryTracker and Manuscript Wishlist. Her request for “light-hearted millennial fiction… a beach read, but with plenty of heart” sounded exactly like Dear Dotty. She requested a partial in November, a full in January, and ultimately offered representation in May.
What worked: I approached querying like a job search. My recruiting background definitely helped me stay organized and slightly more detached. I aimed to keep 15–20 active queries going at all times and sent out a new one every time I got a pass. That rhythm helped me stay in motion.
It also helped that I knew my manuscript was ready. I’d done two full developmental edits, more than ten rounds of revisions, and had a group of trusted beta readers weigh in. It was probably overkill, but it gave me the confidence to push forward, knowing I’d left nothing on the field.
What didn’t: Refreshing my inbox 100 times a day (which I definitely did). Trying to read into agent silence. Getting overly attached to early requests.
What surprised me: How long it takes, even when things are technically going well. first query to signing took about nine months, and in that time, I racked up over 100 submissions, more than 20 requests, and lots of rejection.
What do you think makes a query letter stand out in a crowded inbox?
Voice!
Yes, stakes and structure matter too - but your query is a great opportunity to preview the tone and personality of your novel. If an agent likes the vibe of your letter, they’re more likely to want to spend 300+ pages with your narrator.
The more your query reads like jacket copy, the better. Be concise, compelling, and specific. And - crucially - follow each agent’s submission guidelines exactly. A voicey query only works if the format doesn’t distract from it.
I learned a lot from studying the backs of my favorite books and pretending I was writing that. Your query has one job: convince someone to read your manuscript. Anything that doesn’t serve that goal? Cut it.
📚Here’s the query that helped me land my agent:
Dear Rachel,
What’s Rosie to do when she catches her best friend in cahoots with her arch nemesis, causes a scene at her sister’s baby shower, and accidentally kisses the Wrong Guy?
Turn to her dead aunt for advice, of course.
In Dear Dotty, Rosie struggles to fit in with her over-accomplished family, type-A roommate, and workaholic boss. But she keeps trying, despite nearly losing herself in the process. When she’s fired from her job at a tree-themed tech start-up (partly for hoarding the good snacks), she’s forced to reimagine her future. Luckily, her beloved Great Aunt Dotty—a martini-loving, nudist, globe-trotter—has a challenge for her: pursue a long-abandoned dream.
But then Dotty dies. And Rosie spirals.
As Dotty’s past is revealed through a series of emails, Rosie begins to understand that even her fearless aunt had regrets. With her career, friendships, and family unraveling, Rosie must decide: play it safe, or take the kind of leap Dotty would’ve demanded?
At 83,000 words, Dear Dotty is Maybe in Another Life meets The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany. It will appeal to readers who love millennial women’s fiction featuring messy families, fierce friendships, and big-hearted humor.
I’ve completed the Stanford Continuing Studies novel writing program and am a member of WFWA and the NorCal Writers’ Retreat. I also write about careers for The Muse, and my work has appeared in Forbes, Fast Company, and Business Insider.
Thank you for your time and consideration. The full manuscript is available upon request.
Warmly,
Jaclyn Westlake
Why I think it worked:
It captures voice and stakes in the opening lines
It gives a clear sense of the story without oversharing
It includes genre, word count, and comps
It’s personalized to the agent
It shows a bit of who I am, without overdoing it
It makes it clear the manuscript is complete and ready
Are there any common mistakes you see writers make in their queries?
Yes—focusing too much on why you wrote the book, and not enough on why someone else would want to read it.
It’s totally valid if writing your novel helped you work through a breakup or finally forgive your high school nemesis. But that’s not what sells a story. Reframe it so the hook is clear and the emotional stakes are compelling to a reader who doesn’t know you.
Instead of:
“Writing this helped me make peace with not getting the lead in my school play…”
Try:
“When Taylor’s dream of starring in Grease goes up in smoke, she impulsively joins an improv group—and discovers that life’s best moments are often unscripted.”
How important is comp title selection, and what advice do you have for choosing good ones?
Comps aren’t everything, but they are helpful shorthand.
Think of them as a way to orient the agent quickly: tone, genre, themes, or structure. I personally like using one comp for voice and one for plot or audience (e.g. The charm of Finlay Donovan meets the intergenerational mystery of The Paris Library).
You don’t have to limit yourself to books—TV shows, movies, and podcasts can work too, as long as you explain the comparison.
And yes, it’s okay to comp big bestsellers! Just don’t say your book will be the next one. Instead, show how it’s similar in spirit or style.
How did you stay motivated (and sane) during the querying process?
Ha! I wasn’t totally sane. At one point, I checked my email fresh out of the shower and saw a full rejection. I’d grabbed my phone before grabbing a towel, so in addition to being rejected, I was dripping wet. Not my finest moment.
That said, what did help:
Working on my next project (I got really into NaNoWriMo)
Celebrating full requests, even if they didn’t lead to offers (I literally did something small to celebrate every time – an extra special coffee, dinner out with my husband, a glass of wine, a new book all made those moments feel even more exciting)
Talking to other writers going through the same thing
Treating querying like a job—send one out, get a response, send another
If you could give one piece of advice to writers getting ready to query, what would it be?
Don’t you dare give up after five or ten rejections. I forbid it!
This is a numbers game. It’s not personal, even if it feels that way. Every “no” brings you closer to the “yes” that matters.
I sent over 120 queries. I got 100+ rejections. And I still ended up with multiple offers. You just need one yes from the right person.
And if you don’t get that yes? Well, you are in exceptional company. Take a few minutes to poke around the web for stories about authors whose first (or second or third) attempts to land an agent didn’t pan out and you’ll feel much less alone. BUT, you’ll also find that these writers dusted themselves off and kept going.
I truly believe that what separates writers who get published from those who don’t is persistence. (Plus all the other stuff we talked about!).
Keep going. You’ve got this.
Want to know more about Jaclyn? Here’s her bio:
I’m Jaclyn Westlake, the author of Dear Dotty and Lucky Break. I write relatable women’s fiction about funny, flawed women doing their best to navigate life’s curveballs. Before I started writing fiction, I was a recruiter and career advice columnist. These days, I live in California with my husband. Also, I always want to see pictures of your pets.
My new novel, Lucky Break, is out July 15th! It follows Eliza Colletti, a planner to the core, whose life goes off the rails when her fiancé dumps her and she moves to a small town in Minnesota to start over. But her new house harbors a mystery: what happened to the woman who lived there before her - and why won’t anyone talk about it? With quirky neighbors, a slow-burn romance, and themes of reinvention, grief, and belonging, it’s a story about what happens when you stop trying to control your life and start living it.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this experience! ♥️