Blog Archive

Tips on Writing Memoir

Nov 27, 2018

I’ve always said that writing a memoir is akin to writing fiction. Readers want a good story first and editors and agents will approach the book that way. That typically means that, unless you are previously published, you will need to complete the book before you start submitting. A reader asks: Do you have any […]

BookEnds Gives Thanks

Nov 22, 2018

Each week, at the end of every Bookends meeting, we take a moment to share something we are either grateful for, someone we would like to acknowledge, or a success we are proud of. It’s one of my favorite parts of the week. Today, on Thanksgiving, I would like to share my gratitude for the […]

A Literary Agent’s Role Beyond the Book Deal

Nov 21, 2018

Many authors, most especially those querying, think of an agent’s job as selling the book and not much beyond that. The truth is that while that is my job, it’s only a tiny piece of an agent’s role in an author’s career. Selling the book is, surprisingly (even to an agent) the easy part. It’s […]

Your Book Idea versus the Execution

Nov 20, 2018

For years, the agents of BookEnds have been obsessed with the story of The Watcher. The true-life tale of homeowners and the terrifying letters they receive. My call for books about this story is also the perfect lesson in why an idea can’t be copywritten and the importance of execution. https://www.thecut.com/2018/11/the-haunting-of-657-boulevard-in-westfield-new-jersey.html A story about The […]

This Month From BookEnds Jr… November 2018!

Nov 19, 2018

While we don’t have books publishing from Team BookEnds Jf this month, we’re excited to grow our ranks, and have sold a few books we think you’d love. Take a look: Coming Soon: Norene Paulson’s BENNIE’S TRUE COLORS, a story about a bat who knows he’s really a butterfly inside, illustrated by Anne Passchier, to […]

Welcome to BookEnds, Jenny Knutsson!

Nov 16, 2018

I’m SO elated to welcome Jenny Knutsson to the BookEnds team – Jenny’s adult fantasy is as exciting as it is intricate! – Naomi What genres do you write? Read? I write fantasy, but I have some historical fiction concepts tucked away that may one day find their way to a page. I’m pretty sure […]

Welcome to BookEnds, Sunyi Dean!

Nov 09, 2018

I’m excited to welcome Sunyi Dean to the BookEnds team! Sunyi’s contemporary fantasy is really, really different in the best way – if you want to read an author who understands voice, it’s Sunyi Dean! – Naomi Hello! I thought I’d talk about my query letter process, in case it is helpful to any writers who, like […]

Agents Make Errors Too

Nov 08, 2018

With all the pressures of querying there is one thing authors should never beat themselves up over–simple human error. Because we are all humans and we all make errors. Sometimes I feel like the queen of them. You addressed your query to the wrong agent. Yep. I’ve totally addressed a pitch or an email to the […]

Nov 06, 2018

Get out there and vote. Because your life does depend on it. And if you aren’t registered, but live in any of the following states, it’s not too late. Voter registration is available at your polls. These states include: Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Idaho Illinois Iowa Maine Minnesota Montana New Hampshire Wisconsin Wyoming No […]

This Month from BookEnds… November 2018!

Nov 05, 2018

Fall is in full force, and the holidays are rolling in. We’ve got the perfect list of November reads to either grab for yourself, or stash away for a gift! Here goes: MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT Let the Dead Keep their Secrets by Rosemary Simpson (11/27) | Barnes & Noble – Amazon In Gilded Age New York, […]

Welcome to BookEnds, Lindsey Frydman!

Nov 02, 2018

Lindsey Frydman joins BookEnds – her YA romance TO WHATEVER END, THE HEARTBEAT HYPOTHESIS, and PROJECT A.I.D.E.N. will drag you into the pages and keep your heart there for eternity! – Naomi What book do you wish you had written, and why? The Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Why? Well, because it’s got an […]

The Long Life of a Query Letter

Nov 01, 2018

Authors often view query writing as something that will end once they sign with an agent. I’m sorry to tell you that the art of writing a blurb (and query) will never go away. In fact, it will only become more common as you edit and write and help write cover copy, catalog copy and […]