Blog Archive
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New Client Alert: Savannah Mandel
Nov 29, 2021
Name: Savannah MandelWhat you Write: Non-FictionAgent: James McGowan Why BookEnds? Why not?! I could tell from the moment I found the BookEnds Youtube Channel that working with them would be a dream come true. Everyone who’s appeared on the channel seemed warm, welcoming, and super knowledgeable about both the publishing and writing process. What book […]
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Top 10 Reasons Your Query Got a Request
Nov 24, 2021
You got a request! Congrats! Whether it’s a full or partial, receiving a request from an agent is worth celebrating. If an agent wants more of your work, it means something clicked. Jessica and James run through the reasons that an agent might have for asking to read more. Enjoy!
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Distinguishing Between Two Types of “Not Good”
Nov 23, 2021
The distinction between this is not good and you are not good is an important one to remember, especially for authors seeking feedback, growth, and hearing rejection. When I read queries, submissions, or even a client’s manuscript my feedback is based in its entirety on the book. At no time is anything I say a […]
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New Client Alert: Jenna Yun
Nov 19, 2021
Name: Jenna YunWhat you Write: Middle-grade and Young Adult speculative fictionAgent: Emily Forney Why BookEnds? BookEnds has a solid reputation with experienced agents, wonderful social media presence, commitment to inclusivity, and advocacy for their authors! If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing? I’m married with three littles (son, daughter, and […]
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Get to Know Associate Agent Ramona Pina
Nov 18, 2021
What Excites You About Being an Agent: If you’ve ever heard about the five love languages, my top two are acts of service and gifts. With this in mind, agenting aligns with who I am at my core. Apart from loving stories, I take joy in helping others succeed and achieve their dreams. Sounds cheesy […]
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New Client Alert: Shruthi Rao
Nov 17, 2021
Name: Shruthi RaoWhat you Write: Picture BooksAgent: Emily Forney Why BookEnds? The BookEnds blog and YouTube videos are incredibly useful and fun to read/watch! When I was starting out, they helped me understand the American publishing landscape. So, I was familiar with the agency and some of the agents long before I even started querying. […]
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When to Rethink Your “Dream Agent”
Nov 17, 2021
If you’ve watched our YouTube videos, then you know that submitting many queries to many agents is your best strategy. Even if that’s your plan, there might be an agent at the top of your list. Better yet, that agent may even give you an offer! At BookEnds, we’re all about making the author-agent relationship […]
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Fake It While You Create It
Nov 16, 2021
Fake It Until You Make it is a common refrain for anyone trying something new. When I started BookEnds there was a lot of what I assumed at the time to be faking it just until I could make it. What I realize now is that I was only faking it so I could create […]
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Knowing When Readers Stopped Reading
Nov 11, 2021
I get asked fairly regularly by authors when I stopped reading a book. This is always after a rejection. I understand authors want to know. I’m also here to tell you that when I stopped tells you nothing about your book. I have read full or nearly full manuscripts even when I knew I was […]
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Two Seconds of Courage
Nov 09, 2021
All it takes is two seconds of courage. Two seconds to say yes to the thing that scares you most. Once you write that query it takes two seconds to send it. Courage as a Value One of my core values is courage. I have been known to say that I do the things that […]
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Meet Associate Agent, Ramona Pina!
Nov 08, 2021
We are beyond excited to introduce Ramona Pina to our BookEnds family. Though she’s a new addition to the team, you may have noticed Ramona’s name pop up on our website earlier this year. Ramona was one of our 2021 Literary Fellows so we’re thrilled to keep her on now as an associate agent! As […]
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Query Breakdown from Good to Great
Nov 04, 2021
A good query breakdown is always interesting to writers. How many queries do agents get and how many do they request. The truth is in all my years my request rate has averaged about 10%. This is whether I get 500 queries or 100. It tends to stick in that range. That being said, I’m […]
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