Welcome to BookEnds, Jennifer Maritza McCauley

I’m so excited to welcome Jennifer McCauley to BookEnds!

I loved the premise of Jennifer’s novel, but it was her contemporary, poetic writing style—applied to historical fiction—that really knocked me out. I love novels that elicit a range of emotions, and Jennifer’s made me smile, laugh, cry, and examine the world around me, sometimes all at once.

Others obviously agree, including the National Endowment for the Arts, who awarded her a creative writing fellowship for 2018!

If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing?

Hm, it feels like I’m always reading and writing! I’m in my third-year at the University of Missouri’s PhD creative writing program, so you’d probably catch me preparing for oral exams. I also teach at Mizzou, and I’m Contest Editor at The Missouri Review and poetry editor at Origins Journal so I’d be lesson planning, reading submissions or e-mailing folks. Non-literary related, if there’s a sale at a comic book store, I’m there. And if there’s a cool place to dance, I’d also be there, dancing. If there’s a good sandwich shop, I’m in that shop eating those sandwiches. If someone creates a comic book store-dance club that serves bomb sandwiches, you’ll find me shacking up there forever. Someone please make this.

Where can readers find you on the web and social media?

My blog is: https://jennifermaritzamccauley.wordpress.com/

And I’m on Twitter as @BibliophileMari and Instagram as @Maritza4770.

What’s the last book you read?

Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas. It’s a wonderful memoir that explores the intersections of black and Puerto Rican culture in New York. Thomas’s narrative voice is pure art. Definitely add it to your list.

If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location?

A private island with a beach, Wi-Fi, an indie movie theater, and an endless supply of Swedish Fish.

What’s your favorite quote about reading or writing?

Toni Morrison: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
What’s your favorite piece of writing advice you’ve received.

“Keep writing. A writer writes.” Pretty simple but my Dad reminds me this when I second-guess myself. The perseverance and process matter just as much as the final product.

What excites you most about joining the BookEnds family?

This agency looks committed to its clients and passionate about books! I’m looking forward to joining BookEnds and of course, continuing to work with my amazing agent Amanda Jain.

What advice would you give to other authors in the query trenches?

Don’t stop querying! Go with an agent who is genuinely excited about your work and be open to the experience.