Success Story Interview - Julie Gunn

An Interview with Julie Gunn (juliegunn12 on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Ramona Pina of BookEnds, LLC.

05/13/2025

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?

Julie Gunn:
Absolutely! Maladaptive is a magical realism romance full of emotional depth. It follows a neurodivergent woman who’s spent the last twelve years daydreaming about being married to a famous actor. One day, she meets him in real life, and he recognizes her. As someone who personally struggles with maladaptive daydreaming, I wanted to write a story that was authentic to that experience while still being sexy, charming, and totally binge-worthy. It’s the kind of book I wished existed when I needed to feel seen.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Julie Gunn:
Since I was thirteen! While my friends were hanging out at the mall, I was home writing Xena: Warrior Princess fanfics.

QT: How long have you been working on this book?

Julie Gunn:
Give or take two years.

QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?

Julie Gunn:
So many times. But once I let go of the pressure to be perfect and just focused on writing something that felt true to me, everything changed. I wanted to see someone like me in a romance. I figured I couldn’t be the only one. And when one of my first TikTok videos about the book went viral, it really confirmed that there was an audience out there waiting for this story.

QT: Is this your first book?

Julie Gunn:
It’s the first one I’ve tried to publish.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Julie Gunn:
I have a degree in advertising, so the only formal training I’ve had was writing ad copy.

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Julie Gunn:
Not at all. I can't force inspiration, so if it hits at 2am or 2pm, that's when I write. If nothing comes for a few weeks? I just let it be.

QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?

Julie Gunn:
One full rewrite and about four rounds of editing.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Julie Gunn:
Yes, and I’m so grateful for their insight.

QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?

Julie Gunn:
I outlined it before I started writing. I needed a roadmap.

QT: How long have you been querying for this book? Other books?

Julie Gunn:
This was my first time querying. I sent my first query in mid-February and signed with my agent at the end of April.

QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?

Julie Gunn:
Roughly 100. I started with about 30 and once I started getting full requests, I felt confident enough to send more.

QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?

Julie Gunn:
Honestly, I’m a vibes girlie. I read their bios and just tried to find people I felt I could connect with.

QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?

Julie Gunn:
Wait until your book feels as good as you can possibly make it. Don’t take rejection personally. Look up how many times bestselling books were turned down. When I found out ACOTAR was rejected by almost 30 publishers, I felt a lot better. The right agent is out there. Keep going.