From two Traditionally Published Nonfiction Books to Her First Fiction Agent
📝 128 Queries Sent
📬 13 Full Requests + 3 Partials
🎉 1 Agent Offer
⏱️ 5 Years, 8 Months from First Word to Signed
Paula Rizzo had already published two nonfiction books traditionally — but she'd never queried. When she turned to fiction, she had to learn the process from scratch. 128 queries and a 12.5% request rate later, she signed with Jessica Berg at Rosecliff Literary.
The Backstory
A Career Writer, New to Fiction
Paula has been a writer her whole life, but her work had always been nonfiction.
"I've always written little stories here and there but nothing serious."
She started writing her novel in September 2019. It would be the first fiction manuscript she ever queried.
The Struggle Before Query Bootcamp
"Despite having traditionally published two non-fiction books, I didn't know how to query as I didn't go that route the first time around. I got an offer from a publisher and then got an agent afterwards, which is not what most people do. I also had no experience with fiction and what those pitches should look like."
Paula's publishing experience, it turned out, hadn't prepared her for this at all.
— Paula Rizzo
The Turning Point
January 2024: Finding Query Bootcamp
Paula discovered Lauren's content in January 2024 and enrolled in Query Bootcamp.
"The system for pitching and having a strategy around looking for newer agents, and more seasoned ones. That is not a system I would have come up with on my own and I think it was very smart and easy to follow."
She's blunt about which piece earned its keep:
"Query Bootcamp — the systematic approach to finding and querying agents. The agent spreadsheet was worth the price alone."
The Community Piece
"It was wonderful to have support going through the process. There are a lot of ups and downs and not knowing, so it's great to have Lauren and her team to bounce things off of in the Slack community."
The Querying Journey
2024–2025: Playing the Long Game
Paula sent her first query on May 30, 2024. Over the course of her search she sent 128 queries and received 13 full requests and 3 partials — an overall request rate of 12.5%.
Her offer of representation came on May 22, 2025, and she signed her contract on June 6, 2025.
“It took me 5 years and 8 months from the day I started writing my novel to the day I signed with a literary agent. I sent 128 queries, received 13 full requests and 3 partials—an overall request rate of 12.5%. I received 1 offer, which is a <1% success rate.”
What’s Next?
The Next Chapter
Paula is now represented by Jessica Berg at Rosecliff Literary.
About Her Book
"If you do the things that Lauren teaches and you have a solid manuscript, you will be successful. Her course and Slack community helped to make the process less daunting and I really appreciated the systematic approach she has to querying. Query Bootcamp gave me the steps I needed to confidently hit send on my query letters. I got 13 full requests and landed with an agent who is a true partner in every sense."
An unlikely friendship forms between a young thief forced to care for the old man she tried to rob in exchange for helping him die on his terms.
Paula’s Reflection
Follow Paula on Instagram: @listproducer