Why is this teen smiling? Zoe Coogan wrote the first draft of her novel before she was in high school, and now she’s finished and sent out this same novel to agents before she’s finished high school.
We researched agents, wrote the query letter, and now fate will determine the rest.
It can be a long process. Because traditional publishers need the book to be at a certain level so it will appeal to readers, they don’t care how old the author is. So they won’t even know that this book was written by a teen.
Yet I continue to want to shout it from the rooftops. So many teenagers struggle to even finish a short story. For Zoe to finish multiple drafts of her book so it’s ready for traditional publication is a huge, huge achievement! We’ll continue sending out to more agents, while Zoe is already hard at work on the second book in the series.
Zoe, you were able to create the #OwnVoices book that you’ve been wanting to read. One of the many things I love about the novel is the organic LGBTQ+ romance elements. Congratulations! I celebrate you and your great accomplishment!
UPDATE: Zoe has only sent out her ms to ten agents. One has replied that she wants to see Zoe's next book! The rest have been no's--but this is a great response considering how few agents she's queried.