Q&A With Anna Philpot 

I’m honored to be doing this Q&A with a former literary agent, developmental editor and USA Today Bestselling Author of her upcoming mystery series which is a cat-and-mouse thriller set in Yellowstone. It will be published through City Owl Press on August 25, 2026!

Q: Anna, welcome to Book Notions! Would you please give a brief description of your Yellowstone cat and mouse mystery book series? 

A: Sure! I’m excited to share this novel with you. 

Jane thought it would be just another trip working with her father on his wolf research. She witnesses his brutal murder, and with his last breath, he urges her to run. She does, and soon Jane is lost and alone in Yellowstone’s unforgiving wilderness.

But the dangers aren’t only human: a hungry bear, charging bison, and an unexpected blizzard threaten to end her life at every turn. 

Colm, another target of the killer, crosses paths with Jane, and together they form a fragile alliance to face the relentless murderer and the merciless elements.

As for the series, I’m still working on book two, set on the Olympic Peninsula. It features Colm working as an undercover ATF agent, a symbiosis between ants and flora and a massive wildfire.

Q: I love a good mystery! What drew you into writing in the mystery genre? In your opinion, what makes the perfect mystery story for anyone wanting to write in the genre?

A: Great question. I started reading mysteries in second or third grade, so I’ve always had an affinity for them. Whereas my mom loves to complete jigsaw puzzles, I’ve always loved to fit clues into the bigger picture. (Same skill, different execution.)

A mystery focuses on the whodunnit, so all the story threads must lead the reader inexorably to the inevitable conclusion: the villain and the motive. But most mysteries require disinformation and sleuthing mistakes, which is what makes them so fun!

When I look for a great mystery, I want an interesting location with intriguing characters, a likeable sleuth and supporting characters, and a titillating question that must be answered so the community can return to equilibrium. My favorite mysteries are murder mysteries because the stakes are always high. I have a mystery series out now. It’s the Cici Gurule series, and A Pilgrimage to Death was named one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Books of 2018, won the National Indie Excellence Award, and became a Goodreads Best Mysteries reader favorite. I’m also adopting a new pen name to launch a line of wine-soaked cozy mysteries. Picture a modern Miss Marple on holiday, mixed with classic literature, set in dazzling locations. 

Q: How many books do you plan on writing for the series? If/When Hollywood gets the rights to your work, who would be your dream cast to play the characters you created?

A: I love your positivity! I’ve written another novel in the Jane thriller series, though it needs revision, so it’s not yet ready for public consumption. The setting in Book 2 shifts to different national parks. I suppose there could be quite a few books, seeing that the United States is home to over sixty designated national parks. 

As for my dream cast….wow! That’s tough. Let’s see I like Lukita Maxwell for Jane. She does such a good job playing a resilient young woman in Shrinking. I’d cast Jacob Elordi as Colm, and Christian Bale as Jane’s father, Matt. Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer are so talented; I’d be thrilled to have them play Cynthia and Detective Tara Fremont. And I think Matt Damon should take a break from journeying home and instead take a trip to Yellowstone as Charlie. What an amazing ensemble that would be! I’d totally watch that film. 

Q: You used to be a literary agent and developmental editor! What was it like doing both of those careers?

A: I know it’s unusual, but the opportunities presented themselves as I was ready to make a move. Bottom line: I get to spend my days immersed in words and stories, which means I get to live my dream. And I’m so very thankful for that opportunity. 

Agenting is more about strategy and business; its helping authors shape their manuscripts, brands, and careers. I loved agenting and would probably still be doing it if Irene Webb hadn’t retired. When she did, I’d just had my third child and wanted time home with my kids, so I started writing fiction. 

Over the past fifteen years, my career has produced multiple manuscripts in need of thoughtful critique. I learned so much through my critique groups and contests. The natural progression was to offer that expertise to other writers. I earned my Developmental Editing for Fiction certification from the Editorial Arts Academy (and other courses I’ve taken over the years) to ensure my clients receive the highest standard of critique.  

I love helping writers create the best version of their manuscript and really enjoy watching them master craft. It’s highly rewarding. 

Q: When you were a literary agent, which authors did you represent? What is your advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career as a literary agent? 

A: I worked closely with Irene Webb during my tenure with her company.  One of my favorite manuscripts was from Toby Neal. She ultimately chose to self-publish, and I enjoy keeping up with her career. Irene worked with many talented authors, and the list is online somewhere.   

If you’d like to pursue agenting, I’d recommend a strong curiosity and a background in English and business. That business expertise is important because agents are salespeople—they sell books to acquiring editors, and once the book is sold, they help the author manage their career. 

If you can, take an internship or start as an assistant; you’ll do a lot of reading, and that will help you hone your interests and get a better idea of what’s selling. Because literary agenting is commission-based, their income depends on securing contracts for their clients. While some larger firms offer salaries, most agents only make money when their clients do. That can be a stressful career choice, and it’s something to consider before leaping in. 

Jessica Faust and James McGowen speak to this point and what it means to be a literary agent here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXXiXDx_vME&t=144s

Q: Would you please give links to your social media accounts so that the readers of the blog and I can follow you on social media?

A: I have a Substack for my mystery and thriller pen name here: https://jjcagney.substack.com/ You can also find me on Instagram and Facebook.

Please stop by and say hi. I love to hear from readers!