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
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Jamie Lynn Boothe @boop1967
Are you supposed to begin each chapter in the middle of a new page? Is the first paragraph supposed to be indented & the rest flushed left? #writingcommunity #literaryagents @BookEndsJessica if this is true it would explain some of the rejectionsIt doesn’t matter & no one rejects a book they’re loving because of where a paragraph starts. #askagent
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The Definition of "Blurb" #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/04/03/def…
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alibullard @alibullard
@BookEndsJessica Jessica, Your video info is great. I've seen a lot of recommendations to write a whole synopsis, something like 450 words, that tells the whole plot. In your video you say write cover copy, which is significantly shorter. Maybe 150 - 200 words, right? & not to tell the end.The synopsis is about 2-3 pages. It's detailed plot descriptions including how your book ends. This is submitted as part of a requested submission package. #askagent
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alibullard @alibullard
@BookEndsJessica Jessica, Your video info is great. I've seen a lot of recommendations to write a whole synopsis, something like 450 words, that tells the whole plot. In your video you say write cover copy, which is significantly shorter. Maybe 150 - 200 words, right? & not to tell the end.Thank you. The synopsis and the blurb are two very different things. You will need both. The blurb is the 2-3 paragraph description (aka cover copy) that makes up your query letter. #askagent
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Jeni Chappelle’s excited for #RevPit 📚 @jenichappelle
@barefoot4life85 @Maria_Tureaud @BookEndsJessica @KMWeiland Typically this is based on the age of your MC. But it’s important to know what the standards are for the age group you’re writing for too. For example, most MG doesn’t really do much romance, whereas it’s common in YA. A two-year difference in the MC can be huge for age group.This is true. I also want to add that voice plays a part too. There is a distinct style in the voice for MG and YA for example, and they are different. The best way to learn and figure it out is keep reading the genres. #askagent
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Guidelines for Word Count #amquerying #amwriting #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/03/14/gui…
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The Meaning of Rejection #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/03/12/mea…
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Stephen Che @StephenChe4
@BookEndsJessica I have a novel that is hard to categorize in any genre, and I'm finding it hard to pitch to the agents. It is part spy thriller, part historical fiction, and I wrote it in a news writing style purposely as the main character is a journalist.When trying to figure out genre, what we are looking at is who is the audience for your book and where on the shelf will they look for your book. #askagent
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Social Media Tips for Unpublished Authors #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/03/05/soc…
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James McGowan @jamerrson
@kfairwrites Oh yes absolutely. I also *think* @BookEndsJessica has spoken about what to include in a proposal on our blog. Good luck!Agents will almost always work with you to hone, perfect and polish, but it’s best if you assume this is it & make it the best you can. #AskAgent
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Rachael Dahl @DahlRachael
Is it alright to use own voices in my query if I have an anxiety ridden detective and I also suffer from anxiety? Or is that only for marginalized voices? #askagentWhy not say you, like your protagonist, suffer from anxiety? I'd keep the term own voices to marginalized voices. #askagent
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Cate Caldwell @catecaldwell66
#askagent Also, I've gotten mixed feedback on comps from other media, i.e. film/tv/graphic novels. Yes or no?If it works use it. Comps can be a bit personal. I, for example, am famously known at @bookendslit for my lack of tv/film knowledge. Others however would definitely connect to a comp. 2002 is too old IMHO #askagent
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Addressing an Agent in Your Query #amquerying #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/02/27/add…
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The Value of Pitch Sessions #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/02/21/the…
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Toby Rachel Hockenstein @toby_rachel
@BookEndsJessica Omigod, you read my mind... Thank you! When it says "past 1st 10 pgs", does that mean single or double spaced? And I prefer the clean look of Calibri but have read that it must be Arial (which reminds me of spreadsheets) or Times. Is there really a rule?Don't make yourself crazy over this. If someone is really enjoying your book it's pretty easy to do a select all and change the rules to what pleases you most. I read on Kindle so it all looks the same. #askagent
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Toby Rachel Hockenstein @toby_rachel
@BookEndsJessica Omigod, you read my mind... Thank you! When it says "past 1st 10 pgs", does that mean single or double spaced? And I prefer the clean look of Calibri but have read that it must be Arial (which reminds me of spreadsheets) or Times. Is there really a rule?I'm going to say, "I don't really care" in the nicest way possible ;) I tend to write single spaced paragraphs with double spaces between them. If you prefer paragraph indents I would double-space. I'm not that picky about font if it's clean. #askagent
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Arielle @arielleurban
Hi @BookEndsJessica! For #askagent: If my book starts slow and I am sending the first few chapters with my query, should I be concerned? Is it worth explaining there is a build up or to send addition chapters? Or let it be?If you’re concerned that your opening pages won’t grab an agent, they won’t grab a reader either. I don’t think the answer is submitting different chapters. It’s revising those that aren’t working. #askagent
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Stephanie Gibeault @GibeaultWrites
Thanks @BookEndsJessica for opening up to questions! If you write in several genres (I write both picture books and middle grade), should you mention that in your query? Or stick to one project at a time? #askagent twitter.com/BookEndsJessic…It's definitely worth adding. It could even be one line in your bio. In addition to writing picture books.... #askagent
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Questions for the Blog? #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/02/19/que…