Blog Archive
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When Revisions Aren’t Enough
Oct 02, 2019
We all know when an agent is planning to offer representation to an author they need to love a book. And we know they also need to feel they can sell the book. But one piece of that is not often discussed, is whether the agent and author can revise the book. Revisions are inevitable […]
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Recovering from Submitting a Manuscript too Early
Oct 01, 2019
It happens to nearly every writer. You were convinced your book was as perfect as you could make it so you queried. Then you submitted. Then a few months later you had an epiphany. It wasn’t ready, but revisions fixed it. Now, what do you do about those agents who already rejected? A quick search […]
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New Client Alert – Marty Mayberry
Sep 27, 2019
Name: Marty/Marlie (2 pen names)What you Write: contemporary romance, romantic suspense, YAAgent: Amanda JainWhy BookEnds? BookEnds comes highly recommended. I love your website and the professionalism I’ve seen from all your agents. BookEnds has long been a dream Agency for me. What genres do you write? Contemporary romance and romantic suspense, as well as young […]
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Why I Took a Chance on a Book that Needed a Big Revision
Sep 26, 2019
Every book an agent offers representation to is a risk. We never know what will sell, yet we always know we’ll be working for free until it does. On my post about How I Pitched Melissa Payne I got a lot of questions about what inspired me to take a chance on a book I […]
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New Client Alert- Natasha Alterici
Sep 25, 2019
Name: Natasha AltericiWhat you Write/Draw: I write Contemporary & Speculative Fiction, with a focus on Queer women. I draw living things and things that used to be alive. Agent: Moe FerraraWhy BookEnds? An agency run largely by women championing diverse voices? What more can I ask for. What book do you wish you had written, and […]
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Definition of Hook
Sep 25, 2019
What is the hook? James and I tackle this complicated question in our recent video on hook and immediately after filming I sat down to write more about it on the blog. Somehow the blog took me far longer to write than the video, but I digress. The hook is the one-liner that grabs the […]
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Introducing Your Characters in Their Best Light
Sep 24, 2019
The way you introduce your characters in the query says everything about the way they are presented in your book. Agents know this and it is part of their decision to pass or request. When revising the query look at how you introduce your female characters and ask yourself if you are introducing the male […]
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New Client Alert – Emily Sullivan
Sep 20, 2019
Name: Emily SullivanWhat you Write: Historical RomanceAgent: Amanda Jain What genres do you write? Read? I write historical romance set during the Victorian period, but I have also published short literary fiction and personal essays. I try to cast a wide net as a reader, but I will always have a special love for contemporary […]
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The Nonfiction Query
Sep 19, 2019
I’ve talked a lot about a nonfiction proposal, but I’m not sure I’ve ever talked about what I look for in a nonfiction query. Thanks to a reader’s question, I will. As I’ve discussed before, platform is incredibly important to nonfiction. Whether you’re writing memoir, narrative or the type of nonfiction I represent–business, current affairs, […]
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New Client Alert- Shawna Malvini Redden
Sep 18, 2019
Name: Shawna Malvini ReddenWhat you Write: Creative nonfictionAgent: Jessica Alvarez What book do you wish you had written, and why? I can’t choose just one! First would be “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” by Rebecca Skloot. I loved how Skloot combined true life stories, scientific research, and painful history into an engaging, creative format. […]
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Revisions are the Secret to Success
Sep 18, 2019
Success and longevity in publishing isn’t about writing. It’s about revising. Over and over and over again. I will always be an awe of the author who writes a book. 400 pages! I can’t even imagine writing 100. But the true hero is the author who rewrites that book and revises that book and does […]
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Owning Your Brand Reach
Sep 17, 2019
In 20 years of business there has only been one constant to the BookEnds brand reach. Our website. It’s the only thing we actually own and the only way of connecting with authors that we fully control. As an author, brand owner, and business owner (your author brand is your business) how much of your […]
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