The hunt for a literary agent begins! I am currently working on a book project that focuses on financial wellness, bridging my MBA and corporate work experience with my work as a yoga teacher and practitioner. With this project, I decided to take a look around for an agent. I read blog and books by writers on the craft of writing and I’m always surprised that they only talk about their triumph in finding an agent and not the long journey they took to find one. It’s important to write in the moment, to share stumbles and wrong turns, to write in midst of action. We learn so much in the middle of it all and that learning should be shared.
I purchased copy of The Writer’s Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals by Moira Allen. It’s loaded with examples, practical advice, and action plans. It doesn’t romanticize writing or the search for an agent. Allen shoots straight from the hip and makes no apologies. Just the kind of advice I’m looking for.
Then I took myself to my bookshelf and started to note down books that I love in my same genre. I flipped to the acknowledgements sections and looked up their agents. Luckily most agents now have full websites where you can query right through the site after researching the genres that agents represent. Many agent bios also state if they’re looking for new clients and if they accept queries from new authors.
I put together the body of my query letter specific to my genre, personalized for each agent who interested me, and began to send off the emails. 12 hours later, I received my first rejection from a large agency. It read simply, “Thank you for your query. I’m afraid your project is not right for my list, but I do wish you the best of luck. It’s a wonderful idea.” I was overjoyed.
In my book that is a win for several reasons:
1.) Most of the agents I researched clearly state on their websites that you will only hear from them if they’re interested.This agent wrote back even though she wasn’t interested and was encouraging of the project.
2.) If they’re going to respond to you, they give you a specific time frame in which you should hear from them. Usually it’s 4-12 weeks. Even though the response was no, I heard back in 12 hours.
3.) Writing this first set of query letters got me over the fear of writing queries. I discovered that it’s actually a fun process in and of itself, regardless of the outcome. And I’ve got the body of the letter ready to go for round 2. It took me 6 months to get over the fear of writing them and it feels good to release the fear.
So here we go, off on this new adventure. If you’ve got additional pointers and advice, I’m all ears!
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
The hunt for a literary agent begins! I am currently working on a book project that focuses on financial wellness, bridging my MBA and corporate work experience with my work as a yoga teacher and practitioner. With this project, I decided to take a look around for an agent. I read blog and books by writers on the craft of writing and I’m always surprised that they only talk about their triumph in finding an agent and not the long journey they took to find one. It’s important to write in the moment, to share stumbles and wrong turns, to write in midst of action. We learn so much in the middle of it all and that learning should be shared.
And the person said it’s a wonderful idea – I suspect that kind of feedback is rare. I know this might sound odd, but – Congrats on this step forward on your path!
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Thanks, MJ. Doesn’t sound odd at all. I feel the same way. Here’s to progress.
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Christa,
This is just what I expected from you–way to go–great news!
You know what counts? The fact that you put your best foot forward and gave it your best shot. At least you tried. So what if you were rejected? Which great writer has not been rejected?
No matter what, I want you to keep on trying. Once you find a great literary agent, sky is the limit. You’ve got to publish a book under your name in order to gain “expert status” and make news in the media.
I look forward to the day when you actually get your first book published. It will be on the New York Times best-seller list. There will be reviews written about your book. There will be book signings at cafes, restaurants, malls, and other events, where you will be the chief guest.
The fact that you will be signing your book will be advertised everywhere. I will stand in line hoping for your autograph too.
Keep on dreaming. One day, your dreams will come true: you’ll see.
Cheers.
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Archan I love your optimism and so appreciate your support! It will be great to finally meet in person after all this time! Cheers!
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