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

· 26 Jun 2018

Jessica Faust @BookEndsJessica

If possible, I suggest writing the query before writing the book--it will help keep you focused on the key selling points of the book--the hook, the conflict, etc. #amwriting

If you are having a difficult time writing a strong and cohesive query with a hook that makes it stand out and sound different, then maybe it's not the query, but the book itself. #querytip

· 26 Jun 2018

IMHO the query should be seen as an extension of the manuscript revision process. #querytip #amwriting

· 26 Jun 2018

How I Pitched Laura Bradford's Portrait of a Sister #querytip #amquerying bookendsliterary.com/2018/06/26/how…

· 26 Jun 2018

Also, please always include your phone number. I am old school and love surprising an author with a call to offer representation. An email to warn you ruins the fun for me ;) #querytip #amquerying

· 26 Jun 2018

Jessica Faust @BookEndsJessica

One thing I've noticed in queries is that since we use Query Manager people forget that queries should still be tweeted as formal business letters. #querytip

I still want to see, "Dear...." and an introduction that includes title, genre, and word count. As I've said before, I don't care if you use comp titles or not. #querytip

· 13 Jun 2018

Carrie D. Miller @Carrie_D_Miller

@BookEndsJessica #askagent What advice would you give someone who has never queried before and doesn't want to screw it up when she finally does? (Broad topic, I know!)

Replying to @Carrie_D_Miller

Keep it simple. Focus on writing a strong blurb and the rest is pretty standard--bio, nice introduction, etc. Don't overthink it. #querytip #askagent

· 13 Jun 2018

Sassy Cat Chat @LisaLDriscoll

@BookEndsJessica Best advice for writing a Query Letter. I'm killing myself over this process!!! #askagent

Replying to @LisaLDriscoll

Another good exercise is to write queries/book blurbs for some of your favorite books. (Don't cheat and read the cover copy). It might help you get into the practice of what a blurb is. #askagent #querytip

· 13 Jun 2018

Sassy Cat Chat @LisaLDriscoll

@BookEndsJessica Best advice for writing a Query Letter. I'm killing myself over this process!!! #askagent

Replying to @LisaLDriscoll

If the query blurb isn't working, you might need to look at the book. Sometimes the problem isn't getting the query to work, but in the book itself. #askagent #querytip

· 7 Jun 2018

Good morning and good luck #PitMad writers. I will not likely be making many trips in today, but don't forget that querying is still one of the best ways to find an agent #querytip

· 31 May 2018

Submitting a New Manuscript to an Agent Who Has Previously Rejected You #querytip bookendsliterary.com/2018/05/31/sub…

· 23 May 2018

The Anatomy of a Book Deal: The Pitch #querytip #amwriting bookendsliterary.com/2018/05/23/the…

· 17 May 2018

Rejecting Queries #amagenting #querytip bookendsliterary.com/2018/05/17/age…

· 11 May 2018

Jessica Faust @BookEndsJessica

I also want anything to do with women. Self-empowerment, women bartenders, journals for women. You get it. #MSWL

The thing with nonfiction though is you need a platform. You need to be able to sell the book. Of course a great idea, like Tequila Mockingbird, can also give you a platform. #querytip

· 3 May 2018

The Importance of Query Critique Groups #querytip #amwriting bookendsliterary.com/2018/05/03/the…

· 26 Apr 2018

JC Snipes @jcsnipes4real

@BookEndsJessica Thanks! I am working on two very different MS. If each seemed to have a good match for two specific agents, but they work at the same agency, how should I proceed?

Replying to @jcsnipes4real

Focus on one at a time. The one you are finished with and ready to query first should go to editors right for that book. Let things play out naturally instead of trying to plan for every variable. #amquerying #querytip

· 26 Apr 2018

Jessica Faust @BookEndsJessica

Just because agents request material through #DVPit doesn't mean they'll always read it.

Just like everything else, agents will rely on the queries to sort through all of the new material in their inboxes. #querytip #DVpit

· 26 Apr 2018

Warning Signs She Might Not Be the Agent for You #querytip #amquerying bookendsliterary.com/2018/04/26/war…

· 25 Apr 2018

Dean Lampros @sandourideanbey

Culture shock and adaptation collide at the intersection of sexuality, ethnicity, tradition and frayed family ties #DVpit #A #LF #IMM #LGBT

Replying to @sandourideanbey

Give more details about the actual story/plot #querytip what actually happens?

· 17 Apr 2018

Katharyn Shaughnessy @KatharynShaugh

@BookEndsJessica @bookendslit I see you prefer info like title, word count, etc at the beginning whereas query shark advises that should be left for the end after the blurb. Does this alter your reading of the query if it’s formatted differently? There seems to be no standard and I’m lost 😂 Thank you so much

Replying to @KatharynShaugh

There is no standard. To be honest, I skip everything and simply read the blurb. Since we use query manager, all that information is required in the form, making it easier. Just make sure it's included, where is up to you. #querytip #askagent

· 17 Apr 2018

Mastering the Art of the Query Letter #querytip bookendsliterary.com/2018/04/17/the…