Jessica Faust

If you aren't getting any requests (I think you should be getting at least 10%) you should revisit your query and possibly your book. A revision might be in order. #askagent

I would query in batches. About 20 or so agents at a time. Maybe some top tier and some mid-tier. Note some agents have a "no response means no" policy. Keep querying regularly #askagent

Yes. If you’re querying the same book though you should either withdraw or let the new agent know you never received a response. Just to avoid confusion. #askagent

Not at all. #askagent

I think a lot of comps are this book meets this book. #askagent or this book meets this movie.

It's so hard to predict where your career might take you. It's completely possible you'll have multiple agents. It's also possible you'll find your niche and settle more closely into one thing, or something that fits one agent. #askagent

Not at all. @bookendslit represents clients from all around the world, including a number from NZ #askagent

Every agency is different. Sometimes we do and sometimes we just offer. If we do ask for second reads on something they become very opinionated and we evaluate everything from characters to plot to ideas to fix things that might need fixing. #askagent

Query when you want to query. I think a lot of agents are closed for the end of the year, but I honestly don't think it matters. Agents will get to the queries when they get to them. #askagent

I wouldn't overthink it. If an agent wants thriller/mystery/suspense and your book fits, then send it. that being said, there are differences to each of those genres. #askagent

a blurb is exactly the cover copy for your book. If you're looking at how to write blurbs (or queries) read Query Shark and the cover copy for your comps. #askagent

Not for me. I assume that the author will put book #2 aside if needed. I assume this with any book deal. If you're writing a series I don't expect you to be writing #2 before you've sold #1 for example. #askagent

A great blurb. That's what I want first and foremost. I want to know if it's a book I want to read. That's it. #askagent

I guess I would ask if you need them at all in that case? Comps are meant to give agents a taste of who the readers will be. Fans of Helen Hoang for example or fans of Shelly Bell? #askagent

I think the best author/agent relationship is one with good communication and lots of it. The only way to know is to ask your agent her thoughts. #askagent

You want your comps to be current titles (no later than 5 years) so looking online or, if you can, sitting your butt in the actual bookstore and seeing what's on recent releases or hot books tables. #askagent

I think it's gotten better. In the past, I was definitely inundated, but I think authors are more knowledgeable now. That being said, I passed on a few queries today that had me wondering. #askagent

Honestly, my suggestion is not to work on the next book in the series. You can read more about this here: bookendsliterary.com/2010/01/29/que… That being said, in your case, I would focus on querying the first book first. #askagent

Every good story must have a plot. Think of how you tell stories to your friends. You tell about those moments in your life with the best plot. #askagent

Prescriptive nonfiction can be a little shorter, but you should still shoot for about 50,000 words. I don't represent novellas. #askagent