#147 What Makes a Literary Agent Say Yes with Inkwell’s Maria Whelan

Estelle Erasmus sits down with literary agent Maria Whelan of Inkwell Management, recently recognized by Poets & Writers as one of today’s top literary advocates. In this candid conversation, Maria shares what’s capturing her attention in the publishing world right now—from standout nonfiction proposals to magical realism, horror with heart, and even Loch Ness Monster romance.

She discusses her “career agent” philosophy, how hybrid paths like Substack are reshaping publishing, and the query mistakes she sees over and over. If you’re looking for agent insight—or want to better understand how to pitch a project that stands out—this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode:

• What most writers overlook in nonfiction proposals

• How to query memoir, fiction, and children’s books effectively

• Why passion and originality matter more than chasing trends

• How the publishing landscape has shifted post-pandemic

• The role of writing groups and community in an author’s success

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p64Mlq0nQhE

About Maria 

Maria graduated from University College Dublin then obtained her Masters in Modern Literature from the University of Edinburgh. Before joining InkWell, she worked as a Foreign Rights Assistant at Janklow & Nesbit and worked at Akashic Books. Maria enjoys a blend of literary and commercial fiction, as well as speculative fiction, horror, and magical realism. She is particularly fond of novels that straddle the cultural divide. She is looking for books in the fiction and nonfiction space that speak to the current cultural moment or examine overlooked facets of society. Some of her authors include Luke Dumas, Joselyn Takacs, Katrina Kittle, Audrey Burges, Dima Alzayat, Luna McNamara, and Vinod Busjeet. 

Connect with Maria

X: @mariarwhelan

IG: mariawhelann

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-whelan-56733472/

Submit to Inkwell: https://inkwellmanagement.com/submissions

 

If you haven’t yet—watch Estelle’s TEDx Talk:

How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond

In this bold, funny, and widely shared talk, Estelle  blends personal storytelling with the real-world writing strategies she’s developed as a longtime magazine editor, NYU professor, and writing coach. It all starts with a chaotic moment involving Thomas the Tank Engine—and builds into a powerful message about how to stand out in a crowded, noisy world, no matter the medium.

📺 Watch, comment, and share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpcWmjpzSIQ

About Estelle:
Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a “Best Book for Writers” by Poets & Writers), and host of Freelance Writing Direct—2025 Podcast of the Year (Education), American Writing Awards. A Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest and adjunct instructor at NYU, she’s written for over 150 outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP: The Magazine, and has served as editor-in-chief of five national magazines.

Explore More:

Writing That Gets Noticed – Buy the book: https://rb.gy/0dpdcs

Audiobook version: https://tinyurl.com/yskfj2zv 

Subscribe on Substack for craft tips, pitch advice, and podcast extras: https://estelleserasmus.substack.com    

Latest posts: “Stop Counting Your Words. Start Shaping Your Story—And a Bonus for Paid Subscribers.” and “How to Get Published in Cosmopolitan or Seventeen”  

Listen to more episodes of Freelance Writing Direct: https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast 

Follow Estelle:  

Instagram: https://instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus 

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus   

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus