Jessica Faust

· 11 Sep 2018

Jennifer Wielt @JWielt

In your opinion, what distinguishes suspense from mystery and thriller? #askagent @BookEndsJessica

Replying to @JWielt

I was hoping someone else at @bookendslit would take this. lol. I've always hated the suspense/mystery/thriller question. Here goes. Thriller--we know who did it & there's lots of action. Suspense--is suspense, but maybe not action. Mystery we try to solve. #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

Katy @KatyLapierre

@LeslieDRush @AgentJessicaA @BookEndsJessica I'm wondering if the book I've been querying might almost be the prequel to what I'm writing now, to what I'm calling a sequel in my head. But the more I think about, the more I think I just need to start completely fresh.

Replying to @KatyLapierre

Go with your gut and good luck! #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

Mason T. Matchak @MasonTMatchak

@BookEndsJessica How important is word count by genre? I'm working on a YA fantasy, but it's shaping up to be a long, long book.

Replying to @MasonTMatchak

It's important, especially for a first-time author. Know your word count limits and stick to them. #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

KCallard @k_callard

@BookEndsJessica How do you recommend someone goes about querying after splitting with a previous agent? (With a new ms that's never been on sub)

Replying to @k_callard

Yes, definitely something fresh and new. Good luck! #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

P. Jo Anne Burgh @PJoAnneBurgh

@BookEndsJessica Is there a difference between upmarket fiction, book club fiction, and smart women’s fiction? I’ve seen all these terms in agent bios.

Replying to @PJoAnneBurgh

Not really. I think in some ways its interpretation. #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

Damien Wilder @AuthorDWilder

@BookEndsJessica @BookEndsJessica Critique groups give conflicting advice, though I see backcover copy that show perspectives of two MCs. They say agents don't like queries structured like "female MC does this" in 1 paragraph then "male MC does this" plus a paragraph to bring the plot together.

Replying to @AuthorDWilder

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about what critique groups say agents do & don't. Unless an agent is in the group they don't really know. To write a strong query, read cover copy. That's what a query is, it's cover copy. #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

Kat Shehata @KatShehata

@BookEndsJessica Hi Jessica! If a book has series potential, in my case mg, what is the usual timeline for submitting second, third ms to publisher? Is the contract written with multiple books plotted and planned? Or do publishers sometimes “wait and see” if they want more based on sales?

Replying to @KatShehata

I'm not the MG expert like others at @bookendslit, Jr, but typically a publisher will set the dates in the contract for the next 1-2 books. The timeframe can be negotiated by your agent depending on a strong publishing schedule & your speed of writing. #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

Jesse Weiner @JM_Weiner

@BookEndsJessica I know you may not have a ton of time to read for pleasure what with all the queries you likely receive, but what are you reading and loving right now/recently?

Replying to @JM_Weiner

I actually have been taking a ton of time to read. This year my goal was a book a month & I'm up to 50 for the year. You can follow me on Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/3686… Currently I'm reading The Diamond Cutter & a suspense--the title escapes me. #askagent #MSWL

· 11 Sep 2018

Meg Walker @MEWalker7

@BookEndsJessica @rejohnsonauthor Along with this, where in a query would you mention you are re-querying?

Replying to @MEWalker7

No worries. I think you can open by saying you had queried earlier, but have since.... #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

Brent Dragoo @Brent_Dragoo

@BookEndsJessica What kinds of crime stories interest you?

Replying to @Brent_Dragoo

I'm most interested in mysteries/thrillers/suspense/domestic suspense/thrillers-- anything with a female protagonist. I'm not usually a fan of the spy thriller or international thriller, although I would love more international suspense/mystery. #askagent #MSWL

· 11 Sep 2018

Damien Wilder @AuthorDWilder

@BookEndsJessica #askagent @BookEndsJessica How do you or agents in general feel about queries written from two different POVs (say the book has two MCs, can the POV be from both those POVs or should it pick one and focus on it?)
Does the answer change depending on whether the query is YA or A?

Replying to @AuthorDWilder

Think of your query as your cover copy. Typically a query is not from a character's POV. So I would read cover copy for ideas. #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

When choosing a genre for your book think about how comparable titles are classified. Remember, genre is for readers & bookstores and classifying a book helps us sell a book. #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

R.E. Johnson @rejohnsonauthor

@BookEndsJessica #askagent If you've revised a work you previously queried, to the point of a huge word count drop, can you re-query agents who passed?

Replying to @rejohnsonauthor

I believe you can always re-query. I suppose some agents feel differently, but what do you have to lose? Keep in mind though, if you have previously been rejected on query a revision might not be enough. It might be your hook/idea needs work. #askagent

· 11 Sep 2018

Rose Erickson @roheartswriting

@LaurelHillBooks @NaomisLitPix @bookendslit @BookEndsJessica @inthesestones @BookEndsKim @wensday95 @AgentJessicaA Are books based in the 90s a hard sell? Should I revise it to current day? It involves a boy band so I wanted to capitalize on the boy band boom of the 90s. #askagent

Replying to @roheartswriting

I think it depends on the genre and how it's written. If it is best set in the 90s then that's the time to set it. #askagent

· 5 Sep 2018

Video: what an author can expect while the agent is negotiating your book deal. #wednesdaywisdom #askagent youtu.be/SPJIyX6Xvbo?a

· 5 Sep 2018

Editing: The Toughest Job an Author Has to Do #amwriting #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/09/05/edi…

· 4 Sep 2018

Why Great Books Don't Always Sell #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/09/04/why…

· 31 Aug 2018

Swearingen Durham @SwearDurham

@NaomisLitPix @BookEndsJessica @bookendslit No it definitely does. I know that #ownvoices does not apply to me. And that’s okay! I just don’t want agents or publishers to think, “Hmmm where is the diversity?” Querying is proving harder than actually writing and editing my book. 😅 #how

Replying to @SwearDurham

I agree with @NaomisLitPix While I'm actively looking for #ownvoices and more diversity, I'm not going to reject a great idea that doesn't have those things. #askagent

· 31 Aug 2018

Melissa Guida-Richards @spoonie_mama

@BookEndsJessica @jamerrson @bookendslit Is a woman working through past adoption trauma too controversial for women’s fiction? #askagent

Replying to @spoonie_mama

Not at all. It sounds great & I'm also not sure there is "too controversial" for women's fiction. #askagent

· 31 Aug 2018

Shmuel Nadata @shmuel_nadata

@BookEndsJessica @jamerrson @bookendslit #askagent How long do you typically take to respond to full manuscripts that you've requested?

Replying to @shmuel_nadata

Our goal, as per the website, is to respond to all requests within 12 weeks. bookendsliterary.com/faqs/ #askagent

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