BookEnds Literary Agency

We always say focus on a strong following, not a large following. But I'm not sure that would help in attracting agents (unless you're working on an NF project, and selling platform)

There's not a ton of a different. But it comes down to the voice and tone, whether it's more commercial or literary.

That's a conversation to have with your agent. It's not uncommon to seek another agent in that genre, but it is usually a mutual decision.

helpful, as you see what publishers are using to sell books, and how hundreds of pages of plot are boiled down into a few paragraphs. Same as reading widely in the genre you write. (2/2)

There is a happy medium. I think your opening chapters and actual *letter* part of the query are strictly professional, but whether you like it or not, your voice is going to come through a bit in your blurb. I also think reading blurbs from other authors/published books are 1/2

They shouldn't be. I think if they posted guidelines on dates, it's appropriate to nudge once you cross that.

It's not the end of the world, but please try to have it formatted correctly. Definitely important for RMs. #AskAgent

I don't know that this would benefit you in the query, unfortunately. #AskAgent

It's likely we'd reject. Most illustrators would rather illustrate their own work. But if one agent doesn't connect to your art, that's not to say all won't! Keep Querying. #AskAgent

One at a time, please! #AskAgent

Pitching face to face would give you the opportunity to make a personal connection, but we feel you can do that in e-mail as well. Never be spammy, but being personable in your email query helps! #AskAgent

Yes, New Adult is very different from YA and if an agent isn't specifically looking for it, it's likely they won't be a fit, unfortunately. #AskAgent

This is a great question. It can be a hard thing to do, but if you're well read in the genre, you'd have a better sense of this. for instance, knowing what is and isn't acceptable or selling in SFF would help make a more informed decision for you. #AskAgent

Yes! #AskAgent

Great question! I don't know that book in particular, but something crossing over into literary tends to happen in the writing and the voice. It's a higher caliber of writing that doesn't read commercial. #AskAgent

Not a stupid question. You can mention it if you'd like, but I don't know that it would sway an agent this way or that #AskAgent

That's a very long time. You shouldn't wait that long. If it's with us, then feel free to withdraw from that agent and query another at BookEnds. If it's with someone else, you can nudge again, but if it's not working then you can always withdraw and go elsewhere #AskAgent

Only write the first book. Query with the first book and see where it takes you. If the first one doesn't work out, the sequels won't have a leg to stand on #AskAgent

Absolutely acceptable. You don't need to let agents know it's a multiple submission, we just assume as much. There are some agents that require exclusive, though we don't think that's fair to the author! #AskAgent

A platform isn't 100% necessary when querying agents, but it becomes necessary when you have a deal. So while it's a plus during querying stages, it's something that can be worked on with an agent or editor. #AskBookEnds #AskBookEndsJr #AskAgent