Jessica Faust
Literary Agent
BookEnds Literary Agency
President & founder of BookEnds Literary Agency, author advocate, optimist, & professional pain in the ass. Runs on coffee, wine, & kettlebells. She/Her
Literary Agent
hemant nayak @hemunayak711
@BookEndsJessica @NaomisLitPix Thanks!! Is it appropriate to ask what else they’ve sold to editors ?? Especially if they are new agents ?it is absolutely appropriate to ask what else they've sold. Some of that, but not all, can be found with a @PublishersLunch subscription as well #askagent
Literary Agent
Danielle Marie @dmsreadwrite
This was super helpful! I asked this too & a few folks RT'd and were curious as well. Good feedback from Jessica & James. And side note, I love how much they really seem to enjoy working together. @bookendslit looks like such a great place. They are on my AWL - agency wish list! twitter.com/BookEndsJessic…Thank you! We do really enjoy working together and we love taking author questions. #askagent
Literary Agent
Blog Post: Packing for Writers' Conferences & Advice for Introverts on surviving conferences #amwriting #publishing #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/10/04/pac…
Literary Agent
Mark W. Stevens @MarkWStevens53
@BookEndsJessica I've been inclined to think that as well, so I don't understand the seemingly huge push to self-publish these days. I want my books published because they are thought worthy of publication, not simply because I do it myself.I think everyone has different desires for a career in publishing. My only suggestion is know what you want and what kind of career you want and go for it. #askagent
Literary Agent
Questions to Ask When an Agent Offers Representation #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/10/03/que…
Literary Agent
david van zummeren @davidvan1973
@BookEndsJessica Thank you. Do you suggest authors read nonfiction books on writing? And if so what would your recommendations be?I don't think it can hurt. I would suggest asking authors what they liked. #askagent
Literary Agent
The Art of Resubmitting to Agents #querytip #amquerying #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/09/25/the…
Literary Agent
Synopsis Length--What Exactly Do Agents Expect #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/09/20/wha…
Literary Agent
Jean-Maré @jeanmaregag
@BookEndsJessica How much should I give away in a query letter? I wrote a paranormal romance sequel and I’m not sure if I should tell agents I’m my query letter what the deuteragonist actually isThink of it as back cover copy. How much does cover copy give away? Usually enough to hook the reader. #askagent.
Literary Agent
Video: Advice for authors on making social media work for you. #askagent #amwriting youtu.be/EnYIa22sI-Q?a
Literary Agent
Query Letters Represent the Author, Not Just the Book #amquerying #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/09/13/wha…
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Caitlin Hicks @CateHicks
@BookEndsJessica How best to follow up w and agent who has asked for your manuscript a month ago.?A month is probably too soon. At BookEnds our guidelines state we take 8-12 weeks to read a manuscript--don't check before. If it's through Query Manager there's an easy way to check in. If email, simply email the agent and ask for a status update #askagent
Literary Agent
Faisal Lawal @Manfais02
@BookEndsJessica @bookendslit @AgentJessicaA @NaomisLitPix #askagent Hi...what are your feelings regarding manuscripts that contain disturbing matters, e.g child abuse, rape, etc. is this a complete no-no, even if its relevant to the story or is this something that you accept in manuscripts within the context? Thanks.I think every agent is going to have a different opinion on this and some people have different triggers. I guess I wouldn't edit a book for fear of disturbing someone. Let the reader make their own choice. #askagent
Literary Agent
Jennifer Wielt @JWielt
@BookEndsJessica @kristinconnon If something is "just" fiction, or possibly upmarket, what's the best way to label it in a query?How about I've written a novel? That's enough. If you feel the need to have a more specific label "in the vein of...." or "for readers of..." #askagent
Literary Agent
Gracie Lutz @RappyWrites
@BookEndsJessica As a first time fantasy author, would it be smarter to qeuery with a shorter (85k) stand alone, or go right in with my Big Project™, the first in a trilogy (110k)?? I am much more excited about the series, but worry that me being new might be a turn off. #askbookends #askagentWith fantasy, I don't think 110k is overly long. You could pitch both, just not to the same agent at the same time. However, if you're more excited about one over the other, go with the one you have the most passion for. Go with your gut. #askagent
Literary Agent
Fatmire Marke @FatmireMarke
@bookendslit @BookEndsJessica Does my word count mean I can’t be taken seriously? This confuses me because works like Fahrenheit 451 and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy were around 40k. I feel as though the word count requirement hinders writers.Of course, that's not always the case. For me personally, if the idea is intriguing enough I will request more material no matter what the word count is. #askagent
Literary Agent
Fatmire Marke @FatmireMarke
@bookendslit @BookEndsJessica Does my word count mean I can’t be taken seriously? This confuses me because works like Fahrenheit 451 and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy were around 40k. I feel as though the word count requirement hinders writers.Writing outside word count guidelines doesn't mean you won't be taken seriously, but it might create an additional hurdle for you to jump. Too long sometimes indicates a book that needs editing, too short & the book needs more story. #askagent
Literary Agent
Fatmire Marke @FatmireMarke
@bookendslit @BookEndsJessica Does my word count mean I can’t be taken seriously? This confuses me because works like Fahrenheit 451 and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy were around 40k. I feel as though the word count requirement hinders writers.It's important to know standard word count guidelines & requirements. There are always word count exceptions, but the examples you gave were also published in a different time. #askagent
Literary Agent
/kē'rŭ/ @0asissss
@BookEndsJessica I hope it’s okay that I dropped in late. I have two questions - one, what would you want an unpublished author to know about the business/process when you choose to represent them? Two, do you prefer a query letter to open with “Dear Ms. Faust” or “Dear Jessica”? Thank you!Questions always welcome. On the business process question, my first thought is it is not linear. There's no meteoric rise without bumps in the road. I have no preference to a queries address--Ms. Faust and Jessica are both fine. Just don't call me Jess or Jessie. ;) #askagent