Podcast Summary: "An Ingenious Query Hack"
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Release Date: April 24, 2025

Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra
Guest: Sarah Damoff, Author of "The Bright Years"

Introduction

In the episode titled "An Ingenious Query Hack," Bianca Marais, alongside her cohosts Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency, welcomes Sarah Damoff, a Texas-based social worker and author of the debut novel The Bright Years. This episode delves deep into Sarah's journey through the publishing landscape, offering invaluable insights for emerging writers navigating the complexities of querying agents and refining their manuscripts.

Sarah Damoff’s Publishing Journey ([03:10] - [07:41])

Sarah begins by recounting her initial foray into publishing during the summer of 2023. Initially considering small or hybrid publishers, she sought the expertise of an independent editor, Lori Grassi, through Bianca's assistance. Despite Lori Grassi typically not handling individual author cases, Sarah's manuscript impressed her, marking a significant milestone in her publishing journey.

However, Sarah’s path wasn’t straightforward. She faced a pivotal moment when she received multiple offers— from a small publisher, a hybrid publisher, and an agent—but sensed red flags, particularly with the only interested agent. Struggling with the decision, Sarah ultimately declined all offers despite having no alternatives at the time. This risky decision paid off when, months later, she secured representation with Jane Distel. Within weeks, The Bright Years was sold to Simon and Schuster, illustrating the importance of trusting one’s instincts over immediate opportunities.

Notable Quote:

“I had to say no to an agent and no to publishers when there was nothing else on the table… In hindsight, I'm glad I did.” – Sarah Damoff ([07:41])

The Querying Process and Identifying the Right Agent ([08:18] - [10:25])

Bianca underscores the challenge of securing the right agent, emphasizing that not all offers are beneficial, even if they come reluctantly. Sarah elaborates on the "yellow flags" she encountered with the initial agent offer:

1. Broad Vision: The agent had a non-specific, overarching vision for her book, lacking the necessary focus.
2. Lack of Specificity: Feedback from editors was vague, making it difficult to gauge genuine interest.
3. Perception of the Author’s Background: Implicit judgments about her writing background and lack of an MFA made her uncomfortable.

To overcome these challenges, Sarah adopted a strategic approach by leveraging Publisher's Marketplace to identify editors aligned with her aspirations. This targeted method led her to Jane Distel, whose clear and specific vision for The Bright Years perfectly matched Sarah’s objectives.

Notable Quote:

“When she talked about her vision for where my book belongs, what exactly is literary fiction, her vision just completely aligned with mine.” – Sarah Damoff ([08:18])

Structuring a Complex Narrative ([12:48] - [22:44])

Sarah discusses the ambitious structure of The Bright Years, which spans over 60 years and employs multiple points of view (POVs):

• Narrative Technique: The novel uses a mix of third-person narration in the prologue and epilogue, with first-person POVs from three different characters throughout the main sections.

• Character Focus: This structure allows readers to deeply engage with each character’s internal struggles and growth over decades, providing a multifaceted view of family dynamics affected by addiction and generational trauma.

Sarah explains that the decision to shift from an epistolary format to first-person present tense was influenced by feedback from agents who found the original structure challenging to sell. This pivot not only made the narrative more compelling but also aligned better with contemporary reader preferences.

Notable Quote:

“The lines, the voice is a more mature narrator… [Ryan] didn’t leave them because he didn’t love them; he left because he loved them.” – Sarah Damoff ([22:44])

Mastering Line-Level Writing: Similes and Metaphors ([24:24] - [31:42])

Bianca highlights Sarah's exceptional use of similes and metaphors, which elevate the novel's emotional resonance. Examples from the book include:

• “I carry a torn napkin home with Ryan's phone number, like a firefly in my pocket.”
• “Memories creep under doorways like smoke.”
• “Stubborn streaks of pink slashing through the gray like happiness through grief.”

Sarah explains that while her use of figurative language comes naturally, she remains vigilant to avoid overuse or mixed metaphors, ensuring clarity and impact in her writing.

Notable Quote:

“I’ve had to tone them down multiple times because sometimes it’s just too much.” – Sarah Damoff ([31:42])

Writing Process and Revision ([32:12] - [34:26])

Sarah outlines her writing process, characterized by rapid drafting followed by extensive revisions. She completed her first draft in late 2021 within two months, driven by a strong creative momentum. However, she took a deliberate hiatus to gain perspective and returned to the manuscript in mid-2022 with a clearer understanding of the publishing industry. This period of revision spanned approximately a year, during which she incorporated feedback and refined her narrative to better align with market expectations.

Sarah emphasizes the importance of stepping away from a manuscript to gain clarity and improve upon it, a strategy that proved instrumental in the successful publication of her novel.

Notable Quote:

“Sometimes the best thing we can do for the book is give ourselves clarity by walking away.” – Bianca Marais ([34:26])

Author’s Notes and Thematic Exploration ([26:25] - [28:23])

Sarah shares excerpts from her author’s notes, revealing the novel’s exploration of generational trauma, addiction, and familial legacy. Initially, Ryan Bright was intended to be an unexplored absent father, but his character evolved into a central figure struggling with alcoholism. This development was driven by Sarah’s desire to authentically depict the complexities of loving someone battling addiction.

The themes emphasize the inescapable influence of parental and familial relationships across generations, illustrating both the challenges of overcoming trauma and the potential for healing and redemption.

Notable Quote:

“There can be healing and there can be redemption… it was a hard journey through those generations.” – Sarah Damoff ([28:23])

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Bianca and Sarah conclude the discussion by celebrating the depth and emotional richness of The Bright Years. Bianca encourages listeners to support Sarah’s work through her book available on Bookshop.org, highlighting its profound impact and literary excellence.

Final Quote:

“Please get this book. Read it. You're going to underline it like crazy.” – Bianca Marais ([34:26])

Key Takeaways

1. Strategic Querying: Identifying and securing the right agent requires discernment beyond immediate offers. Look for specificity and alignment in an agent’s vision with your manuscript.

2. Structural Adaptability: Be open to modifying your novel’s structure based on feedback to enhance its marketability and reader engagement.

3. Mastery of Language: Skillful use of similes and metaphors can significantly elevate narrative quality, but should be balanced to maintain clarity.

4. Revision is Crucial: Taking time away from your manuscript can provide valuable perspective, aiding in substantial revisions that refine and strengthen your work.

5. Thematic Depth: Exploring complex themes such as generational trauma and addiction adds profound emotional layers to your narrative, resonating deeply with readers.

For aspiring writers seeking to improve their querying strategies and manuscript development, Sarah Damoff's experiences and insights offer a compelling roadmap through the intricate journey of publishing.