An Agent's Answers to Your Questions on Representation

[@JPCorwyn]

Hey there! I'm a legally blind Adult fantasy author. I want to hank you for doing something many, many people don't in videos like this (the Q and A types,). You not only showed text for your questions, but you actually reiterated them, audibly. I really cannot thank you enough for that.

[@cashpat2000]

How I would love to work with her. So transparent and the empathy and love for books just radiates.

[@tanyabrooking317]

Your opening line gave me chills. Talk about a HOOK!

[@WriteLinda]

You are such a star! Great and necessary information being presented here and it simply takes the fear out of the process! Well done guys!! Super fantastic! Love listening to you both!!!

[@havefunoutthere6378]

What an absolutely brilliant way to start a video!

[@VirginiaPatriotRebel]

You sound like a really enjoyable person to work with. I hope when I receive an agent they are as driven and motivated as you are. Thank you for this video, it is much appreciated.

[@donaldprime7772]

Thank you so much for sharing this information. I never would have thought of some of these questions.

[@Ruthie888]

You are so helpful and probably set the bar pretty high for other agencies. Well done. I learned a ton.

[@rescuelegacy4506]

Thank you, Jessica Faust! You and the staff at Bookends humanize the submissions/agenting process without pulling punches. Your approach is at once grounding and encouraging. I am a new subscriber -- and soon, hopefully, a memoir submitter. I'm also in love with Buford, BTW!

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Thank you so so much.

[@melanievallely9539]

I appreciate these videos so much. I'm getting close to the querying stage for my first book, and you have made all of this information accessible. Some of these questions I wouldn't have known to ask. So, thank you!

[@SIRENTAROT]

Just sent a query to an agent referred to me by a friend. I've created a playlist to help motivate me. Happy to find this channel. Thanks!

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Good luck!

[@hmnauthor]

Thank you for this! One of the best (love the channel) you all have shared. Thank you again. 💕

[@ArtbyMSB]

Love the bookshelves!

[@MerlinGal]

Very informative! When I get to the point of choosing an agent, I'll be referring back to this. It's a good overview of questions to ask. Meantime, have to decide what answers I'll be wanting to hear.

[@ParanormallyCorrect]

Jessica seems like such a fun and awesome person! Terrific videos! 😊

[@BiancaHaeckDesigns]

This was so brilliant to find! I am currently in the process of finishing my picture book, and definitely plan to send a query to you guys! This gives a good sense of what to expect, and gives a reality check, but also HOPE! ;)

[@ArtbyMSB]

Your voice is so Amazing!

[@eliasmcclellan7940]

Oh, if ONLY I had seen this way back when. Thank you, again and again, for sharing this information.

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Luckily it's never too late to learn. Thank you.

[@AuthorWASimpson]

Thank you again for another fabulous video! I know I've had these questions as well.

[@AndyJewett]

Really appreciate your generosity, responding with this info.

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Thank you for watching

[@idancelyrical]

OMG! I just started looking for an agent. Thank you for making this video!

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Yay!! So glad this was helpful. Good luck to you

[@WolfyAteUrSocks]

Thanks for this! Idk if I'll ever get represented but I was already worried about the interview Like I know so little at this point I was sure to ask a dumb question, these are great examples, thanks!

[@stephenm.5121]

I'm a little late to the party, but thank you for this very informative video. I've recently queried someone from your agency (Naomi Davis), so hopefully I'll soon get the opportunity to put your advice to good use.

[@Trumpluv]

Did see an empty glass of wine at the end. Hehe.

[@ClintLoweTube]

It's great to hear these insights. Love this channel.😎

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Thank you!

[@kirtidagautam6786]

This is a great video, very informative. Thanks :)

[@JenniVander]

I love this, and I am very much in sync with your answers. I genuinely feel that Bookends is one of the best-match agencies for me, and three of your agents are in my spreadsheet as good or very good matches for my current projects. Now I need to finish them, polish them, and pray that they are marketable ^_^

[@BookEndsLiterary]

We look forward to hearing from you!

[@SNN1991]

I LOVE this video. The intro gave me chills. Can't wait to (hopefully, one day) get that call. All the questions discussed were so insightful and helpful. Thank you so much for posting! - Shan Nawaz

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Thank you!

[@alenkavrecek1227]

Hope someday I'll have. an agent like you!

[@Agadubilich]

It was really helpful! You're great, Jessica. Thank you.

[@adriannemurray9542]

So should we query and submit if we only have one book completely written, edited, and workshopped? What I’d our other pieces are still in draft form?

[@davidalderman8384]

Great video.

[@oreganosarno]

Your so good at helping us!

[@MerlinGal]

On "my next book," I'm already deep into the next two books, so I'd better hope our agent (when we have one) is enthusiastic about those ideas (One's already about a third done). Here's a question -- for you, how important is it that the next book be tonally similar to the first? I have one that is, and one that only "sorta" is (it's still funny, but much darker).

[@sandrakicklighter2735]

So you sign a contract of representation, you start in on the edits and it becomes evident to the writer or to you, that your vision is not the same. What happens then? Can either of you step out of the contract once made? If you don't feel the writer is hearing you or is willing to make the changes you believe are needed, or if the author doesn't believe your edits are what they are willing to do, how is that resolved?

[@alyssamayley9403]

Great advice. Thanks for sharing!

[@SwatiHegde]

Brilliant video, Jessica! My full is out with a couple of agents right now and I'm so hoping I get that call soon!!!!!

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Good luck to you! I hope you remember BookEnds in your queries.

[@krazylevin]

Thank you for this vid. You've given me hope.

[@BookEndsLiterary]

We are so delighted to hear this!

[@endlessfairytales]

Loved this! Thanks for sharing. Hoping to use all this info soon.:)

[@MiaowMcDonald]

what type of book is on your wish list? what is your genre? do you negotiate rights for movie (or TV series…) - just curious. i like your content and you come across as really personable, authentic and passionate. just working on my first draft of debut novel (up to revision nr 11 or so) and will be looking to approach literary agents very soon. 📚 got a lot of ideas for future books fizzing happily around my head too. your channel content is brilliant! thank you 🙏🏼

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Hi! All of this info is available for all of our agents on our website under the Submissions page!

[@writerjameslee]

Thank you for sharing! I always thought that a writer has to submit their manuscript as polished as it can be. If you're going to go through rounds of revisions with the writer, what expectations as an agent do you have for the initially submitted manuscript?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

We expect it to be as near perfect as possible. We would never suggest submitting something you think or know needs revisions.

[@bestwordsmith]

What if your book is a mixed-genre work, e.g., historical romance with a time-travel element like "Outlander." Is that spec fiction? Upmarket fiction? Historical romance? Seems many agents queried don't know where my novel "fits."

[@veronicachristopher9321]

Thanks, Jessica! I've been keeping my eye on you and Bookends for quite a long while now. I almost have my proposal polished for you!!! My book is quite dramatic so, in advance, welcome to the fuckery . 📖 🖊 ❤

[@patnull]

Hi. Do you represent the first book in a series? And have you ever represented an author who doesn't have a big social media presence? Or is that too much of a risk? Thanks for the informative video!

[@FlipMacz]

Ack! 😩Can't imagine a random agent, messing with my books..."cut this...edit that...kill-off that character." No way! Hell! I might as well go back to the corporate world, where they bit#h slapped me around the boardroom table all day. I adore, love...worship, being self-published. My series has a home. But good video, though :) You are very sweet🌸

[@sdeasley]

Thank you!

[@simonhunter3803]

An agent has asked for my full manuscript - so I presume I am on my way

[@Beachwriter]

Congratulations, but recognize that your manuscript can crash at a number of steps, until signing your contract. Expect the unexpected in publishing.

[@lorettaknoelk3475]

This is very interested interesting and useful

[@saturnn77]

It sounds like there are a number of different fiction, sci-fiction genres. I understand that if you don't know yours, you will be rejected. I suppose one could figure it out, but I like to write stories where ever they lead. I have a fictional brain....Yes, I said that, but I'm not really sure what category my fiction would represent. I guess all babies learn what shoes are, but it takes a bit longer to figure out what foot they go on..

[@AmericanActionReport]

When you say "genre," do you mean genre of fiction, or does it include non-fiction as well?

[@lorielhassani]

Why do so many authors say "You most likely won't get represented by a literary agent, I mean I did, but you won't?" Also, why do I see a lot of literary agents saying (on KZbin) that if its your first book, you won't get represented or published, agents just won't sign you?Is it just me or does it seem like this industry is the opposite of other industries who WANT to sell...it almost seems like agents don't like their job and try everything and use 10000000 different excuses why they refuse to do it. (I don't mean you, because you didn't say anything like that here and this is the first video I'm watching of yours. Just curious about you pov here) (oh and i haven't contacted any agents yet, still writing, I'm just getting concerned about the process once I'm ready)

[@Ardenwolfe]

Thank you for posting this. Extremely helpful. :)

[@sanjokazooee8136]

How was this video made in 1998 but published in 2018?

[@jerrykr7kz]

A lot of new authors never found or even located an agent, so they self-published on amazon. Do you accept these authors work to try to submit their books to a publisher? I do hope you respond. If you do, I'll take that walk with you. My three books are on amazon books. One is a non-fiction engineering book, a fast action drama, and the latest one is a western. Both novels are over 60,000 plus words.

[@italiagorino6358]

This was so importanr

[@alfogel3298]

What these writers don’t understand is that even if you get an agent, 99 out of 100 books ( if they are fiction) will fail in terms of an agent finding a traditional publisher and you ( after paying an agent ) making a decent profit. And almost all these videos do not tell you the book that the agent represents or any follow up as to how the book or books are selling. This agent / agency seems pleasant enough but she doesn’t mention her success rate or the % the agent takes or whether she charges her ^ only after she secured a publisher for you. And I notice a lot of thrse videos are spaced years apart with no follow ups because either the lit agent / agency dropped out or their success rate ( securing a lucrative contract ) is 1%. So tell me, do you still have an agent and how are your books selling. Writers get so exited when an agent wants your manuscript , so excited that you think you won the million dollar lottery. When all you won was an agent who ( if this is your first fiction book) will not land you a lucrative traditional contract. Best bet is to self-publish and do your own promotion. Just my opinion. I’ve been a published and self-published author for over 30 years. All love in isolation, Al

[@ArtbyMSB]

Cool, I got an Ad for squarespace

[@ArtbyMSB]

The long 10 minute Apple Vision Pro Add is Awesome, but scary.

[@ArtbyMSB]

Watched about 8 minutes of it. I would rather watch your Agency's Videos

[@donnahedley6194]

I really enjoyed your youtube a lot, lovely lady and I hope we meet one day! Thank you.

[@jenniewang7252]

Do you accept and work with a self-published book?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

We will consider self published works, but it's certainly harder to sell a self-published work to publishers.

[@3GPtv]

@@BookEndsLiterary For people not in the industry, why is it harder to sell self-published work to publishers?

[@v.i.l.o.]

I wonder if it's still okay to use a title Ms. or Mrs. when contacting an agent. For instance: Ms. Alexa Hinton 9800 Sunset Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90790 (Yes, in some cases I still use paper) I'm a bit confused, as according to my research, nowadays, some women would prefer no title at all. I'd love to hear your opinion. Liam

[@BookEndsLiterary]

I would only use Mrs. if you're sure she wants to be addressed that way. But yes, I think it's very okay.

[@v.i.l.o.]

Thanks

[@lordofleas]

I sooooooo want to work with you!

[@BookEndsLiterary]

aw. Thank you!

[@tibbar1000]

I have a story of a missionary to Kenya who served for 30 years after contracting AIDS. It’s told in third person privileged style like a novel. Should I call it narrative non fiction or biography?

[@vote4mel]

Why do I watch these videos, just to watch all my queries get rejected? 😂 I'm a masochist, it seems. Back to it...

[@muserwood]

OK, I'm one of those dreaded first-time writers, with a door-stop size (200,000 wd) manuscript sitting right in front of me. I'm working on my "final" edit and will be researching agents soon. Are you ready for my query letter? You wouldn't regret it. If your answer is NO, then I was just kidding. If your answer is YES, great, be prepared for one crazy reading experience!

[@BookEndsLiterary]

We aren't ready for any query until the final edit is completely done. When you are ready for the book (and synopsis) to be seen you are ready to query.

[@muserwood]

@@BookEndsLiterary Thank you, I do appreciate your reply and guidance.

[@psalmuelfrancisco2323]

Hi! I like you. I only have one question. Do you handle Christian Novel?

[@chriszablocki2460]

You tink ya betta den me?!

[@raymondwinter7465]

Please represent Novels with different concept, especially the Sf/Fantasy. Readers have been seeing novels with nothing new as such in content . Please represent more debut authors as they always have something new, rather than giving emphasis only on existing clients. Only query letter shouldn't be the basis of judging a novel. One should also consider how different it is from others and also imagine the book into becoming a movie.

[@lordofleas]

I have a question...so, I queried you, you passed. That's cool. But I have another project I'm working on you might be interested in. Should I query you again with my new project and you love it and want to rep me, what happens with the project you passed on? Would you be willing to take a look at it or is it still a pass?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

yes! Please keep querying me or others at BookEnds. Many of our authors were rejected the first time around.

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Definitely query with the new book. When representation is offered we can talk about the earlier project. It's hard to know without knowing specifics.

[@diegooland1261]

Ya all need to stop sitting in front of books. We get it, you're a book person, it's why we're here. So stop with the trope! "I'm a nuclear scientist and to prove it, I'm going to sit in front of a blackboard with a lot of really complex equations on it." Thanks, professor.

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Unfortunately, every wall in our office is covered with books. Thanks, agent

[@francescogorbechov4192]

Lush oasis

[@mundushanbepushkina5410]

Jessica, you do realise that you just sold your agency to all of us, right?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Thank you!

[@cynthiaking5308]

I kind of find this funny. There are plenty of us unrepresented debut authors who have a file cabinet full of rejection letters. You speak as if the author has any power. We would be over the moon if any body wanted us and would sign our first born over to get a shot.

[@michaelr3583]

I have a 320,000 word novel that no matter how good can never be published because it's 320,000 words. SUCKS

[@Nelson.P20]

YOU DIDN'T ANSWER ONE QUESTION - AN IMPORTANT ONE - HOW MUCH DOES AN AGENT CHARGE AS HER FEE? LETME KNOW asap. HOW DO I CONTACT YOU?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

An agent should not charge anything up front-- their earnings should be a 15% commission off any money you make. Please visit www.bookendsliterary.com/submissions for more info on how to query a BookEnds agent.