Blog Archive

  • I’m in the Mood

    Jul 20, 2006

    Right now, while I’m sitting here looking at my huge pile of submissions, I’m thinking about what I would love to find in that stack. Of course I’m still looking for fantastic romance, mystery, business books, and all those other books listed under my profile, but today, what am I in the mood to find? […]

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  • Multiple Queries to BookEnds Agents

    Jul 19, 2006

    I’ve frequently heard the following advice: It’s totally okay to query multiple agents at the same agency–just be sure to query only one at a time. If Jacky rejects you, feel free to submit to Kim. If Kim rejects you, feel free to submit to Jessica. No! No! No! If you submitted to Jacky and […]

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  • The Cost of Acting Unprofessionally

    Jul 18, 2006

    I often talk to authors about the need to act professionally and what you can gain by doing so, or lose by not doing so. I often think that very few authors believe what I say, however, or understand the power of what I mean. So here’s an example that should give you a better […]

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  • Love Me or Hate Me

    Jul 17, 2006

    Just last week I finally sat down with the latest survey form for Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents (or whatever the full title of his book is), and while each year most of the questions remain the same, a few change. This year, the one that struck me the most […]

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  • How to Keep the Interns Happy: Tips for Authors

    Jul 14, 2006

    Why should you care whether interns at a literary agency are happy or not? I’ll tell you why: We’re the ones who open the mail. We’re the first gate you, as an author, have to get through. My job at BookEnds includes requesting proposals and recommending some to my bosses (the agents: Jessica, Kim, and […]

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  • Author Beware: Agent Response Times

    Jul 13, 2006

    Over the years, as an editor and agent, I have built a pretty good-sized author beware file. This file is made up of the letters and e-mails I’ve received from authors that I know I want to avoid. From time to time I’m going to dig out one of those letters and post some of […]

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  • Marketing Genius

    Jul 12, 2006

    I’m constantly having conversations with my authors about what they can do to garner more publicity for their books—whether it’s hitting the road, using the Internet, or contacting booksellers. While I think we have come up with a number of great ideas, no one does it better than marketing genius Seth Godin. Not only can […]

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  • What Writers Deserve

    Jul 11, 2006

    I recently received a letter that said, among other things: Writers deserve more feedback about their work. I think every writer deserves an honest, detailed response. Really, why? Did you pay me to read your submission? Are you paying my electric bill, expenses, and salary? No, the people who do that are my clients, and […]

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  • Author Beware—Award Winners

    Jul 10, 2006

    Over the years, as an editor and agent, I have built a pretty good-sized author beware file. This file is made up of the letters and e-mails I’ve received from authors that I know I want to avoid. From time to time I’m going to dig out one of those letters and post some of […]

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  • Question of the Month

    Jul 07, 2006

    Each month BookEnds agents will answer one of the questions we get from writers. This month’s question is actually two questions, both of them revolving around the concept of the hook. Here’s a question, or actually, more of a request. I’d love to have you ladies discuss high concept—what it is, how necessary it is, […]

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  • BookEnds Talks to Michelle Celmer

    Jul 06, 2006

    Michelle Celmer Book: The Millionaire’s Pregnant Mistress Publisher: Silhouette Pub date: July 2006   Michelle Celmer lives in Southeastern Michigan with her hero husband, three kids, three dogs, and three cats and loves the fact that she doesn’t have to leave the house to go to work, or even change out of her pajamas. BookEnds: […]

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  • BookEnds Talks to Kate Douglas

    Jul 05, 2006

    Kate Douglas Book: Wolf Tales Publisher: Kensington Aphrodisia Kate Douglas is a fifty-six-year-old grandmother, married for thirty-four years to a very patient man. She is and always has been a writer. She feels that her work defines her. . . . What more could anyone ask, to live in a fantasy world of your own […]

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