Blog Archive
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The Successful Use of Comp Titles in a Query
Aug 07, 2018
I am not a believer that comp titles are necessary for a query letter. While they can be helpful for an agent to see where you see your book on shelves, putting in the genre is just as helpful. I’ve also found that comp titles can hurt you if you name a book or author […]
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This Month from BookEnds… August 2018!
Aug 06, 2018
Monthly Spotlight: Don’t Close Your Eyes by Christie Craig | Amazon | Barnes & Noble What would you do if everything you thought was true about your family turned out to be a lie? Annie Lakes has had the same recurring nightmare for years. Her heart pounding in her chest. A panicked voice, begging her […]
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#MeetTheIntern- Olivia Loggia!
Aug 03, 2018
Meet the Intern: Olivia Loggia Where do you go to school? I’m a rising junior at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. What are you studying? I’m double majoring in Creative Writing and Spanish, along with a dance minor. What kinds of books do you most like to read? I love contemporary YA, […]
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To Please Everyone Means Pleasing No One–Query Advice
Aug 02, 2018
When authors are querying, or first begin querying, I see a lot of (understandable) panic. Authors will ask, “well you say no comps, but this agent says she wants comps,” and “this agent wants a 2-page synopsis, but this agent wants it to be 2 2/3 pages.” And my all-time favorite, “Jessica Faust says never […]
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Welcome to BookEnds, Valentina Mendicino!
Aug 01, 2018
I’m so thrilled to welcome author-illustrator Valentina Mendicino to BookEnds Jr. and #TeamMarchini! I just love the humor in her art, and the feel of her characters. I don’t know quite how to describe it, other than when I see her monster characters, I just want to give them a squeeze. They have such a […]
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Film/TV Rights Optioned for THE KISS QUOTIENT by Helen Hoang!
Aug 01, 2018
Huge congrats to Helen Hoang on the sale of film/tv rights for THE KISS QUOTIENT to Pilgrim Media! “Pilgrim Media Group is currently developing the project, with plans to focus first on a feature film adaptation. (Craig) Piligian is producing, alongside Pilgrim’s Vice President, Scripted Content, Lauren Pfeiffer. “’We are so excited to bring Helen’s […]
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How I Pitched Murder, She Reported by Peg Cochran
Jul 31, 2018
Peg Cochran is a USA Today bestseller with a number of different cozy mystery series to her name. However, it wasn’t too long ago that Peg came to me with an idea for something a little different from what she’d been doing, a historical mystery set in 1930s New York City. I loved the idea. To […]
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Welcome to BookEnds, Jen Karetnick!
Jul 27, 2018
I am delighted to introduce you to Jen Karetnick! Jen is a multi-talented writer who has published cookbooks and poetry, among other things. And, random fun fact: she grows mangoes–the best mangoes you can possibly imagine. Read on to learn a little about Jen in her own words. –Jessica Alvarez What genres do you […]
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Arming Yourself Against the Bad Agent
Jul 27, 2018
Like most of the publishing industry, the BookEnds team has been troubled by the news of literary agent Danielle Smith and her fraudulent dealings with authors. Troubled, but not surprised that this happens (although we know nothing about Danielle Smith personally). Back in 2010, I wrote my first blog posts about avoiding bad agents. This […]
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The Dangers of Writing to an Ever-Changing Market
Jul 26, 2018
A reader asks: Jessica, interesting post that comes with a question-how often can we expect publishers’ preferences to change? Are the trends shifting and transforming every month, or rather every year, or in longer intervals? Hugs, Ana Like everything, the publishing market is ever-changing. One day everyone is hunting around town for Pikachu and the […]
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Successful Querying Requires Doing Your Own Homework
Jul 25, 2018
Everyone who is querying and has queried knows that there’s a ton of work and research involved. Fortunately, or unfortunately, there is a lot of great information available at the flick of a screen. Most agencies now have websites where you can read up on each agent and her particular interest. You can also access […]
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Further Defining #OwnVoices
Jul 24, 2018
I received a lot of specific questions following my post on Defining #OwnVoices and will attempt to answer as many as I can. Ultimately though I have one blanket answer. If you and your character are a member of a marginalized community you are an #ownvoice. Readers ask: Do most agents consider chronic and mental […]
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