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

· 13 Jun 2018

Brendan Gibbs @RunningBren

@BookEndsJessica I've been curious how established literary agents have time to take on new clients. I see some agents close to query sometimes, then reopen. Presuming finite time, an existing roster of time-consuming clients... how is there any time for new prospective clients?

#askagent

Replying to @RunningBren

Great question! Thanks. The workload of existing clients ebbs and flows with the client's career. Some retire, some scale back, some need little from the agent because they are working closely with their editor #askagent

· 13 Jun 2018

Korina Moss @KorinaLMoss

#askagent @BookEndsJessica I sent my batch of queries for the first cozy mystery in a series. I have synopses for #2&3 but I hesitate to start the 2nd before being repped. Is working on a different series while I wait a good or bad idea from an agent's POV?

Replying to @KorinaLMoss

It will be easy to go back to the series once you have a contract, it will take longer to start something new to submit if you have nothing new to submit. #askagent

· 13 Jun 2018

Korina Moss @KorinaLMoss

#askagent @BookEndsJessica I sent my batch of queries for the first cozy mystery in a series. I have synopses for #2&3 but I hesitate to start the 2nd before being repped. Is working on a different series while I wait a good or bad idea from an agent's POV?

Replying to @KorinaLMoss

The reason is if book #1 doesn't sell there won't be a market for #2 or #3. My advice is to start something new and fresh. #askagent

· 13 Jun 2018

Korina Moss @KorinaLMoss

#askagent @BookEndsJessica I sent my batch of queries for the first cozy mystery in a series. I have synopses for #2&3 but I hesitate to start the 2nd before being repped. Is working on a different series while I wait a good or bad idea from an agent's POV?

Replying to @KorinaLMoss

You are very smart!! I recommend if writing a series that you never start book #2 until you've got a publishing contract in hand. #askagent Blurbs & synopsis yes, but don't write the book.

· 13 Jun 2018

Story Grey @story_grey

I made a landing page for my book. Since I’m unpublished, should I include parts of my book to get people excited? #writing #amwriting #writerslife #askagent #askeditor

Replying to @story_grey

At the very least you need a blurb/description of what the book is about #askagent

· 13 Jun 2018

Abigail Burke @TheAbigailBurke

Is it true that most agents right away delete queries without reading the rest of it if a word count for a submitted romance ms is over 100k? #AskAgent #QueryTip #WriteTip #literaryagent

Replying to @TheAbigailBurke

I don't. I'll even read queries for books with a word count over 200k. It's unlikely I'll request, but I will read. Of course each agent is different. #askagent

· 7 Jun 2018

Do Conferences Lead to Representation? #amwriting #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/06/07/do-…

· 29 May 2018

Anatomy of a Book Deal: Inside the Publishing House #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/05/29/ana…

· 25 May 2018

K8 hearts tacos @katealicesandry

@BookEndsJessica I love that definition. In your opinion does own voices refer also to chronic illnesses? Or would one simply relay their shared experience (such as mental illness, neurolodiversity, cancer etc) in a query?

Replying to @katealicesandry

If you are writing a book about a character with a chronic illness you share then yes, I believe that's an #ownvoices story. #askagent

· 17 May 2018

Jessica Faust @BookEndsJessica

Honestly, I'm desperate for questions. I can't come up with all of these ideas on my own.

Feel free to email bookends@bookendsliterary.com or leave a question in the comments on any blog post at any time. I'll drop it in my files and promise to answer. #AskAgent

· 17 May 2018

Thanks for the questions that came in on yesterday's blog post: bookendsliterary.com/2018/05/16/que… #AskAgent

· 16 May 2018

I'm looking to hear from readers--send us your questions & see them answered on the blog. #askagent bookendsliterary.com/2018/05/16/que…

· 10 May 2018

Susan Nairn @TooieNairn

@BookEndsJessica #askagent If a writer receives great feedback from Beta readers, how can they use that information to entice an agent. The thriller is a great read and I would love to find an agent who wants to read it.

Replying to @TooieNairn

They really can't. Agents will make their own decisions based on experience, preferences, and market knowledge #askagent

· 10 May 2018

Miri C Golden @MaryCWallis

@BookEndsJessica #askagent

If B&N eventually folds, what exposure advantages will trade publishers offer authors to fill in the gap?

Replying to @MaryCWallis

I can't imagine there are answers to that yet. Certainly the best, and most amazing, answer would be the rise of indie bookstores. #askagent

· 10 May 2018

David Rozansky @DavidRozansky

Q from @belle_inreality: How do retellings work? If you aren’t using the same names or locations but the plot is clearly a reworking of Famous Story X, do you need permission? I’m thinking more fairytales and classic novels. #askagent #askeditor

Replying to @DavidRozansky

If the book/story is in the public domain you don't need permission. Retellings also don't need to be so close, or even use names or locations. Help! someone out there can come up with a list of great retelling examples. #askagent

· 10 May 2018

Lyn Goodpaster @LynGoodpaster

@BookEndsJessica Are you averse to speculative elements in an adult thriller? Thanks for your time! #askagent

Replying to @LynGoodpaster

I am not #askagent

· 10 May 2018

Carla Damron @carlawritesfic

@BookEndsJessica #askagent A lovely agent has been subbing my upmarket suspense. This isn’t her usual product and she’s approaching literary publishers. I haven’t signed anything, so wondering if I should approach agent used to this genre?

Replying to @carlawritesfic

You can definitely try to approach another agent, but I would first separate from this agent and get a clear idea of what she's done for you. #askagent

· 10 May 2018

Carla Damron @carlawritesfic

@BookEndsJessica #askagent A lovely agent has been subbing my upmarket suspense. This isn’t her usual product and she’s approaching literary publishers. I haven’t signed anything, so wondering if I should approach agent used to this genre?

Replying to @carlawritesfic

Hmmm. You haven't signed anything? That worries me/confuses me. If the book is shopped, it's shopped. It's going to be difficult to find an agent willing to take on something that's already been seen by, presumably, many places. #askagent

· 10 May 2018

Lori Keckler @LoriKeckler

@BookEndsJessica If an agent you are querying asks to see what other work you have, how complete should this other work(s) be? How many other work(s) should a writer have ready? Thank you! #askagent

Replying to @LoriKeckler

I guess it depends what you're sending, but I'd always make sure it's best foot forward. I know asking to see more is common with #PB, not as common in adult. I'd only send what you feel is ready for an agent to see #askagent

· 10 May 2018

Hannah Miller @HRuthMiller

@BookEndsJessica #askagent In general, if an agent has seen & rejected a full, is considered bad form to re-query that same agent if there has been a major revision if there was no R & R though issues they pointed out have been addressed?

Replying to @HRuthMiller

I always appreciate a second chance at things. Why not? The worst that happens is a rejection. #askagent