Jessica Faust

BookEnds switched to using Query Manager in 2016 (a free query tracking database agents) and we will never turn back. It makes it easy for authors to check on query status & ensures queries don't disappear in crowded inboxes. We can also easily check from phones, etc. #querytip

Even when submitting through a query form you should include a full query letter. Agents like to read and we like to see all the details. #querytip

I have some thoughts on queries today. If you're going to use a name in the referral line of my Query form please be sure to explain in your letter how that person came to refer you. #querytip

Psychological Suspense, for example, is not a hook, it's a genre. The hook is what makes it stand apart from other books in the genre. THE OTHER WOMAN (who is the mother) is the hook. #querytip

We all started as Literary Assistant, Editorial Assistant or other & it was there we made our first acquisition or signed our first author. One day, when an assistant requests your material, be excited. They are the future "big-name agent" you always wanted. #querytip

.@jamerrson & I sat down to make another video for @bookendslit and we bored ourselves so much we decided not to inflict it on you. So instead our #querytip video from earlier this week will have to suffice. youtube.com/watch?v=BpQxUc… Enjoy!

Tip-toeing around and assuming I know what you're talking about is not enticing. Think of back cover copy. You need to get to the heart of what's happening to grab the reader and get them to read. #querytip

I'm sorry my posts are so early in the am when not everyone sees, but that's when I work. In queries, tell me what "the worst thing possible" is. In other words: Don't: She faced the worst thing possible. Do: She was devasted when her husband had an affair. #querytip

The book will be marketed to an audience of mystery, women's fiction, upmarket fiction, etc readers. Which means you need to find a way to appeal to them in the way they like to be appealed to. Usually through plot and story aka hook. #querytip

The book needs to fit the genre and stand out in both writing, plotting, and style. In other words, it can't be ho-hum--no book can whether it's #ownvoices or not. All books need to have something special we can sell to the reader #querytip

For any book to be successful, agents & editors are looking for a hook or marketable idea, it needs to have characters they can connect with, who come off the page and who I want to spend time with and get to know. #querytip

But I want to talk about #ownvoices & #diversebooks a bit more. Because writing just any old story with a POC or LGBTQ character, for example, isn't enough. The book still needs to have all of the things agents & editors & readers look for in any marketable book. #querytip

Approaching an Agent at Conferences #querytip #conferences bookendsliterary.com/2018/08/29/app…

I recommend authors at all stages of their career start business planning now. How have your goals changed since the beginning of the year? What will you be doing differently? #amwriting #querytip

On Twitter, you can follow all of our agents, but you can also follow the agency where you can easily find out all the details about all things BookEnds. --- @bookendslit #querytip

Eight Tips to Make Your Pitching Experience a Success #querytip bookendsliterary.com/2018/08/28/eig…

Cure the Mondays by spending time with me & @jamerrson while we talk queries #querytip #mondaymotivation youtu.be/BpQxUclWxZc?a

At @bookendslit you can query every and all agents (or all agents who rep what you write) but just one at a time please. #querytip

A reminder to all women's fiction writers. #WF runs between 80,000-100,000 words. I'm getting a lot of queries in the 50k-60k range and that's too short. #querytip

The journey. Think of it as writing the cover copy for your book. Practice by writing the cover copy or pitches/queries for some of your favorite books or emulate the copy of some competitive titles. #querytip