Our 2025 Literary Agent Goals + Manuscript Wishlists

[@t.e.hatton4456]

I'm hungry for a fresh start, too. Like finishing this book I've been working on and getting a query to you!

[@annworthington7253]

Kudos to people who can write fun, joyful, and wacky during these dark, distressing, and frightening times.

[@t.e.hatton4456]

Sometimes you have to. Sometimes it's theraputic...

[@Sierra86]

Love this. Any chance you could showcase additional bookends agents in 2025? I see many agents who I think would be wonderful to work with and would love a refresh on their personalities, agenting styles, and changes/evolutions to their literary wish lists.

[@SaltyLittleNana1]

Thanks for always presenting something fresh and authentic. Anyone would be lucky to work with either of you!

[@joboyinboxers]

So good to see you....missed u all

[@thegratefulpoet]

wow!! i loved this video so much. i am working on a novel i am so excited about. i think it fits the bill. i will definitely be adding you to my query list for this speculative book!! thanks again for such high quality content.

[@VinnyTheory]

From everything Jessica said at the end there it looks like she’d love my book as well. The fact that you both are somewhat open to commercial fantasy now is great news 🎉

[@lisakaufman3029]

Happy New Year!🎊

[@ALTZIMATE]

This is surprisingly very enlightening and, to be honest, somewhat inspiring for me. It wasn't until very recently I realized Jessica Faust was on my list of agents to query. I never had realized the women on the video was thee "Jessica Faust." But now, after this specific video about her wishlists, I feel as if it embodies my manuscript completely. Upmarket book club, with a slow suspense burn that cators to romance and relatable slice of life moments. Jessica honestly not only has become my number one agent to query at this point, but now has reignited my fire to finish this manuscript, as I admit, I have slowed down on the last two months regrettably. But I certainly will not miss my opportunity moving forward. Hopefully I'll get to send project "Untold Crimson" to her by the end of Febuary if all goes well. Even if she turns it down, I am looking forward to her opinion of it never the less, because I whole-heartedly believe she knows the audience, and is the audience I am writing for. Which makes me determined and nervous all at the same time. Damn, I really could use a drink now....

[@melissamackinnon1982]

Happy New Year🎉

[@bethanneelion3475]

Could you talk more on what goes into a synopsis, please? For example, if you have a 100,000 word fantasy, is that license to have a longer synopsis than you would for a shorter rom com? And with fantasy can you lay out the magic system first and the secrets only some characters know but the reader and main characters don't up front before the actions of the main character to find out all this information? What is the longest these can be and should it be formatted the same way as the book with 12 count double spaced?

[@icusmilingAZ]

fantastic! I've been waiting for James to open up again... expect something soon from me 👏

[@rowan7929]

Thanks Jessica for saying you like witches. My books are about witches and my latest work is set in a magical realm. Although YA, but if Ramona should decline, I will query you. Maybe you will like it as it is a slow burn on how the protagonist has to think of a solution to defeat an manipulative opponent.

[@maxsinclair787]

I'm really excited that James has opened up for fantasy. I'm waiting for feedback to make edits on my fantasy novel. James will now be my first choice agent for when I feel ready to start the submission process. I'm hoping to be ready to submit between March and June. I'm catching up on my reading whilst my book is out with readers. Hopefully catching up on reading will help me find something to comp to. I've really been struggling with coming up with comps so far. I feel like people who enjoyed books like Bable or the Greenbone saga would enjoy my book though my book has only a little in common with them. I know those are very popular books, and i need to find less popular comps. Any one know of any good fantasy with a disabled Main character?

[@VinnyTheory]

Been subscribed for a while now and just wish you guys considered…wait! James just said he’s now open to Fantasy. Mines very commercial and high concept (and not too “out there” like the fantasy he’s afraid of). If he means YA, I’ll definitely add you when querying!

[@Kasphomet]

I will definitely be reaching out to query!

[@johnnyblessing8978]

By you guys not being into Elves and Fae, does that mean like if they are in you book don't bother. Or is it ok if you have an Elves, Goblins and such races in your book but its not "high fantasy". Would that still be ok to query to you guys?

[@Starcore600]

I second this question xD

[@crystalgreen5408]

This will be an option to consider this year since the original plan was to be a hybrid author by trying to do both (self-publishing and traditional publishing)

[@1ktales]

Got about halfway through the video before realizing I might as well check back when the 2026 wish list comes out XD

[@RoseyReadsAndWrites]

Definitely yes, please bring back the, “what you read videos.”

[@johnnam1380]

Would you guys ever consider starting a podcast? (Given if you had the time?)

[@jwalker6187]

🤣🤣 James, "It's the BIG book."

[@daria_daria_p]

QQ regarding James' wishlist - when you mention "fantasy", does that entail only adult fantasy or MG/YA as well?

[@dcruz55]

A Great Read is 'No Country for Girls' Emma Styles. If you haven't read it, it is a great deal of what you like to read.

[@ladyursala]

James, when will you be open to YA?! You are still my dream agent haha😢

[@kickass1179]

James, what about Military Speculative Fiction? I think the word military makes one think of Tom Clancy and that sort of thriller/military fiction, but what if the story is Post-Apocalyptic (speculative) and the main characters are military who are going through war? does this make it a NO NO for you?

[@chengchenli08]

I wish the agents in your agency would be open! 😂

[@SAArcher]

I was so excited when you said you were interested in fantasy until you said no elves. Now I am sad.

[@MotownCountry]

you both make it difficult on who to choose first. LOL

[@dueling_spectra7270]

Dudes, this reactionary looking for fun books, now...readers will be in the same mindset. This is a normal reaction to current events in the world. When the world is dark and gloomy, people flock to light and fluffy. When the economy is doing well and fewer waves of existential fear are surging across the population, dark sells. By the time trad gets around to bringing those books to the readers...we will likely be out of the joy seeking part of the cycle. Now granted, events like pandemics, economic crashes, and natural disasters are a little tricky to predict...but elections come every four years. Time things to be released for this cycle.

[@darknightofthesoul7628]

What you're telling me is it's all up to the whims of how you happen to "feel" at the moment. For writers like me, who've been crafting a book for years, trying to fit my work into your notional needs is disturbing. Another good reason to self-publish. I don't want someone else dictating what they "think" the market wants.

[@superkate2942]

Don't try to fit your work into anyone else's "notional needs." Write what you love, but manage your expectations. Not everyone will love what you love, and not everyone will be able to sell what you love. There's probably someone out there, whether it's an agent or a reader who finds your self-published work, who will love it. And if not, you've still written a book that you love, which is a really phenomenal accomplishment.

[@tamjg]

Why would you limit yourself to two agents, no matter how much you like them? There are hundreds out there, all with different interests and lists,

[@darknightofthesoul7628]

@@superkate2942 thank you!

[@Samanthascreatescozy]

Yay! I have 3 fully edited books I’m excited to start querying 🫶🏼

[@jwalker6187]

🤣🤣 James, "It's the BIG book."