Jessica Faust
@BookEndsJessica
Literary Agent
President & founder of BookEnds Literary Agency, author advocate, optimist, & professional pain in the ass. Runs on coffee, wine, & kettlebells. She/Her
396 MSWL
574 AskAgent
191 Tips
Jessica Faust
@BookEndsJessica
Literary Agent
President & founder of BookEnds Literary Agency, author advocate, optimist, & professional pain in the ass. Runs on coffee, wine, & kettlebells. She/Her
396 MSWL
574 AskAgent
191 Tips
Jessica Faust
@BookEndsJessica
Literary Agent
President & founder of BookEnds Literary Agency, author advocate, optimist, & professional pain in the ass. Runs on coffee, wine, & kettlebells. She/Her
396 MSWL
574 AskAgent
191 Tips

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.

Kim Lionetti
@BookEndsKim
Literary Agent
Literary agent of adult and young adult fiction. Autism mom. British period drama addict. Gosling aficionado. Penn State alum. She/her.
70 MSWL
66 AskAgent
27 Tips

Jasmin Nyack @101mystic

@BookEndsJessica #askagent is having dyslexia an issue with getting representation if they are at least trying to tidy up the grammar/spelling?
Replying to @101mystic

Dyslexia won't hold you back from publication (I have a bestselling client who's dyslexic), but if grammar feels like a struggle, then consider finding a critique partner, beta reader or hiring a professional to help you polish your work before sending it to agents #askagent

Kim Lionetti
@BookEndsKim
Literary Agent
Literary agent of adult and young adult fiction. Autism mom. British period drama addict. Gosling aficionado. Penn State alum. She/her.
70 MSWL
66 AskAgent
27 Tips

mynewjersey.online @vsam90807591

@BookEndsJessica #askagent I see lots of companies/individuals offering to edit books for a hefty sum prior to submitting a query. Is this recommended or does the editing take place after an agent has taken on your project?
Replying to @vsam90807591

It's best to have the most polished manuscript possible before submitting to agents, but not absolutely necessary to pay a professional to get you there. Some agents are more editorial than others, but it's always a good idea to send them your strongest, cleanest work. #askagent

Jessica Faust
@BookEndsJessica
Literary Agent
President & founder of BookEnds Literary Agency, author advocate, optimist, & professional pain in the ass. Runs on coffee, wine, & kettlebells. She/Her
396 MSWL
574 AskAgent
191 Tips
Jessica Faust
@BookEndsJessica
Literary Agent
President & founder of BookEnds Literary Agency, author advocate, optimist, & professional pain in the ass. Runs on coffee, wine, & kettlebells. She/Her
396 MSWL
574 AskAgent
191 Tips
Jessica Faust
@BookEndsJessica
Literary Agent
President & founder of BookEnds Literary Agency, author advocate, optimist, & professional pain in the ass. Runs on coffee, wine, & kettlebells. She/Her
396 MSWL
574 AskAgent
191 Tips

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.

Kim Lionetti
@BookEndsKim
Literary Agent
Literary agent of adult and young adult fiction. Autism mom. British period drama addict. Gosling aficionado. Penn State alum. She/her.
70 MSWL
66 AskAgent
27 Tips

Viggy Parr Hampton @viggyhampton

@BookEndsJessica If you’re querying multiple agents, is it a good idea to mention that in your query letter? Thanks in advance for your answer! #askagent
Replying to @viggyhampton

Agents assume you're submitting widely, so no need. At most agencies, like BookEnds, it's best though not to send to more than one agent in the same agency at the same time.

Jessica Faust
@BookEndsJessica
Literary Agent
President & founder of BookEnds Literary Agency, author advocate, optimist, & professional pain in the ass. Runs on coffee, wine, & kettlebells. She/Her
396 MSWL
574 AskAgent
191 Tips

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

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Alice Arley 🐇🌹🍵 @AliceArley

I know that art notes are only to be used when absolutely necessary to understand a story in PB, but I have also seen some say no art notes ever, no matter what. Leave it to the reader and illustrator to decide. Do your agents or agency have an opinion on this? #askPSLA
Replying to @AliceArley

Very rarely do I think a picture book manuscript can exist without art notes (even if minimal). The text should always leave room for the art to tell part of the story, and if you don't explain what's missing in the manuscript, then the reader won't understand the book. #askPSLA

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips
Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Sarah Purdy @thatpurdywriter

@msmariavicente Can you elaborate a little on joy in books? I want to read and write more joy! ^_^ But how can that co-exist with the relentless conflict required? #askPSLA
Replying to @thatpurdywriter

I wish the conflict wasn't always focused on what makes a "diverse" character "diverse." Ex: A YA book with a queer protagonist that doesn't focus on trauma associated with their sexual identity. Instead, the conflict is that they're being chased by a dinosaur. #askPSLA

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Kaliyah Martin @kaliyah_nicole

Hi @msmariavicente and @maureen_moretti
What is something in either a query letter or the first few pages of a manuscript that immediately captures your attention and usually leads you to request more? #askPSLA
Replying to @kaliyah_nicole

I mentioned this in an earlier response, but I'm always looking for a great writing style at the beginning of a manuscript. In a query, if your concept is something I truly haven't read before (many queries sound repetitive of one another), then I'll want to know more. #askPSLA

Maria Vicente
@agentvicente
Literary Agent
senior literary agent + advisor @psliterary
195 MSWL
329 AskAgent
330 Queries
107 Tips

Ginger Ninja @engriffs

#askPSLA at what age do you feel young adult cuts off/it's adult? I'm querying a manuscript with a 21 year old and a little unsure.
Replying to @engriffs

The oldest I've read in YA (that I recall now, anyway) is a protagonist starting their first year of college, so 18/19 typically. 21 might be a bit too old. #askPSLA