Jessica Faust

@BookEndsJessica

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

querymanager.com/query/jfaust

publishersmarketplace.com/members/BookEnds

querytracker.net/agent.php?agent=4

· 29 Jan 2020

H.W. Johnston @hwjohnston7

@BookEndsJessica #askagent
Hi Jessica
Two questions.
Is there a special program I need to buy to sign the bottom of a query when sending it?
Are comps limited to book titles? My manuscript is similar to the Apocolypto movie.

Replying to @hwjohnston7

Comps are not limited to book titles. Movies & TV work well too. Just make sure they are recent (within 3 years). A standard email signature is fine for queries. #askagent

· 29 Jan 2020

🇮🇹 Diego Tronca 🇨🇦 🇮🇪 🇫🇷 @TroncaDiego

@BookEndsJessica Hi Jessica, how easy (or difficult) is it for a book to become a movie or a TV show? Have you had any of your clients' books portrayed on the big screen? And by "big screen" I mean movie theaters or a roaring 60-inch TV in your house (God bless Netflix). Thanks. #askagent

Replying to @TroncaDiego

lol. We have had projects made into "big screen" and it's not simple. Think of all the incredible books published and read every year that never make it to screen. #askagent

· 29 Jan 2020

Sarah A @MochaSarah

@BookEndsJessica #askagent What elements particularly draw you in when you read the first page of a manuscript or novel and make you want to continue?

Replying to @MochaSarah

Pacing, voice, plotting, and character #askagent

· 29 Jan 2020

joriamramos @joriamramos

@BookEndsJessica #askagent As a newbie author, I'm aware that I'm not inventing a new genre, but my fantasy novel doesn't look anything like Tolkien, Rowling or Pratchett. I feel even using the term 'fantasy' might be deceiving.

Any tips on how to learn proper genre labelling?

Thanks! :)

Replying to @joriamramos

Read recently published books. While Tolkein, Rowling & Pratchett are certainly legends in fantasy, they are not necessarily what publishers are buying today. #askagent

· 29 Jan 2020

Lisa T. Joyslin @lisatjoyslin

@BookEndsJessica What are some things that pull you from “hm, could be interesting” to “requesting now!” in a query/opening pages? #askagent

Replying to @lisatjoyslin

This is so different for every agent and often comes down to personal preferences & an #MSWL. Some recent ones for me--setting it in Alaska, food-related, bookish books, big twists, settings outside of the US... to name a few.

· 29 Jan 2020

Kristin Kisska, Author @KKMHOO

@BookEndsJessica #askagent Hi. I just watched your vlog on writing synopses. I always they should be factual (plot point 1 happened, then 2), but you recommended using your voice. Can you suggest a good example of one? Thanks!

Replying to @KKMHOO

If your voice is funny it should be light. If you're writing dark suspense it should be dark. It should show a shortened version of the story and not just tell This happened, then that, then that. #askagent

· 29 Jan 2020

Julie Embers @JulieEmbers

@BookEndsJessica I had an agent interested if I’d revise into a different/close genre. Thing is I think it’s in that wanted genre and I pitched it wrong. Should I respond or move on? #askagent

Replying to @JulieEmbers

Did they read it first? If they read it you'll have to revise. Something about it isn't fitting the genre. If not, you could try to repitch. #askagent

· 29 Jan 2020

Stephanie Jaye @stephjayewriter

@BookEndsJessica What is considered big enough platform by an agent/publishing house when trying to query/sell a nonfiction book? Thanks for doing this! #askagent

Replying to @stephjayewriter

It will vary from publisher to publisher and dependent on the subject. Publishers will look at social media, speaking engagements, consulting, and other factors. For everything, the more the better.

· 28 Jan 2020

I was honored when Rich asked me for an interview. Especially because he had such terrific questions. Here it is: A Few Words With: BookEnds Literary Founder Jessica Faust richehisen.com/a-few-words-wi… via @WordsmithRich #askagent

· 21 Jan 2020

When to Bring in Beta Readers #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2020/01/21/hir…

· 16 Jan 2020

Is there a time of year when it's considered a bad time to query? #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2020/01/16/bad…

· 7 Jan 2020

What does it mean when an editor or agent says your manuscript is “quiet?” -- @TracyMarchini #AskAgent #amwriting #amquerying bookendsliterary.com/2020/01/07/wha…

· 22 Oct 2019

Why I Read More than the Query--what pushes me to request a manuscript or read sample pages. #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/10/22/why…

· 16 Oct 2019

Conversations To Have When Offered Representation -- what can you ask and what shouldn't you ask #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/10/16/con…

· 1 Oct 2019

Can you requery an agent if you've done major revisions on the book? #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/10/01/rec…

· 12 Sep 2019

Your Agent's Job is to Answer Questions--don't be afraid to ask. #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/09/12/an-…

· 28 Aug 2019

Break-Ups Happen--when visions changes so does the author-agent relationship #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/08/28/aut…

· 26 Aug 2019

What to Expect When Submitting to Agents or the evolution of the submission process. #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/08/26/wha…

· 8 Aug 2019

What Agents Are Really Looking to find in their inbox and it might surprise you. #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/08/08/wha…

· 7 Aug 2019

When the Book Just Isn't Right for Me--what do agents do if they love a book that isn't quite a fit for their list. #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2019/08/07/whe…