An #MSWL from Jessica Faust

I always promise myself I’m not going to post an #MSWL (Manuscript Wishlist) and then I get a bug to find new clients and, well, the best way to let people know I’m hungry is to tell them.

As anyone who has received a rejection from me knows, my list is quite full, it’s bound to happen after 20 years as an agent. Because of that, I have the luxury of being very particular about taking on new projects. This is a line in my rejection letters. It’s also very true.

But no matter the many hats I wear at BookEnds, my passion for discovery drives me. I’m so proud of the many books and authors I’ve sold in past years (and already this year) and I can’t help but want more. There are few things more thrilling than finding that book and author you can’t stop talking about. It’s a rush I’m not ready to give up.

Fiction #MSWL

I’m still looking for adult fiction and while my genres haven’t changed, my #MSWL might be narrowing.

As per my Query Manager, I’m seeking upmarket and women’s fiction, suspense, and mystery. I’m also open to literary, but it typically leans upmarket, and all things contemporary. My passions tend to be books centering on family and friendship. I’m not a huge fan of coming-of-age stories, never have been really (even when I was coming of age) and I’m a little tired of the divorce/widow storyline unless you can come up with a really different angle or direction.

Food has always been a passion of mine. Have you watched the videos James and I make? Is there one where we don’t use a food analogy? I love to cook, I love to bake. Food is a happy place for me, as is wine. So a new book with a food theme will definitely grab my attention. But again, like my thoughts on widows, it really has to be a different spin or from a voice we haven’t heard enough of yet.

And speaking of voice. I continue to prioritize the works and stories of marginalized writers and communities. There are certainly not enough books by BIPOC authors or LGBTQ authors on my list. I would especially like to see more stories by and of women (that’s always been my focus) and gender-nonconforming people. And if you think about what I say above about books with grieving protagonists or food, all of those stories that we have seen so often tend to be from the same voices. I would love to hear other stories, even on those same themes.

In suspense and mystery, I lean dark. No matter how big my cozy list grows, I still like those dark tales. Books I read last year that resonated with me include Razorblade Tears, The Push, and A History of Wild Places. Those are just a few examples.

I also want magical realism. I’ve recently added this to my list again. Heather Webber is a client who does this beautifully, as has Melissa Payne. It was A History of Wild Places that made me put this back on. I think magical realism can be done in women’s fiction, upmarket fiction, mystery, or any of the areas I represent. I just want it to be subtle and beautiful.

Nonfiction

My nonfiction list is extremely narrow. As you might know at BookEnds, we currently have a number of agents representing nonfiction and the cool thing is we are all focusing on different areas. Between us, there’s something for everyone.

My focus is heavily on business, career, finance, self-help, empowerment, and DEI. My number one mission is to bring more people of color and women into the broader discourse in the business world. Too many of the books we tout as the ones to read are written by white men. It’s time to stop pigeon-holing women and people of color into being only experts in their communities. They need to be seen as experts for all with the same power we’ve always given white men. That’s my goal. Give me the books I want to read, by people of color and women.

As a business leader, someone with a passion for investing, and someone who is always looking to better myself and the world around me, these are the books I want.

In General

This is just a taste of some of the things I want to see and the types of books I love to read. In general, and in truth, I’m looking to be swept away into a world and story I haven’t seen before. I want to experience new things and new worlds, and not just those set here in the US. I travel and meet people through books and I want to make that as exciting as possible.

For a really good idea of the kinds of books I love and gravitate to you should check out the videos James and I regularly make on what we’re reading. The books I rave about, well the books we both rave about, are definitely books that inform our own #MSWL.

I can’t wait to see your query!