Jessica Faust: Achieving Goals & #MSWL

Last week I talked about my semi-annual goal review and how it’s going. Originally I was going to include an #MSWL in there, but the post as it was got too long.

So here it is…more goals.

When I first set my goals in January, I had a vision not just of how many books I’d like to sell but what those books would be. I wanted an idea of what I would focus my sights on in my Query Manager.

While I continue to seek upmarket and literary fiction, suspense, and of course nonfiction, there are always specific desires that help further define what I’d love to find.

First and foremost, as I mentioned last week, my top goal is to create a list where marginalized authors are in the majority. So in all wishes and genres, I am looking for authors of color, LGBTQ authors, and neurodivergent authors (and of course characters).

When looking at any agent’s wishlist, it’s important to remember that this is not the sum total of all our desires. The books we fall in love with the hardest are often those we never saw coming or didn’t even know we need. This should just give you a sense of who I am and what sparks my interest.

For those looking at numbers, my original goal was to sign 12 new clients this year. I’m terribly behind.

Fiction #MSWL

In fiction, in the genres I’m seeking, I would love more books on marriage and motherhood. Ultimately, family stories, including found families.

And as with anything, I want the unexpected. I want to see things that haven’t been done before or if they have, are done in a completely new and different way.

I also want more books that create a social conversation. Think of books like AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE or THE OTHER BLACK GIRL. Great stories that tap into what we’re talking about and today’s social discourse.

Books that touch on identity, race, and feminism. This goes without saying, given what I said above, but I guess I felt I needed to say it.

Unusual relationships–those that aren’t what we expect. Sister relationships or marriages with a twist.

Dark. I like dark. I definitely do okay with light, but I find that so much of what I lean to is darker.

Midwest tales. As a Midwest girl forever and always, I like to read about the world I grew up in, but not necessarily the world I know intimately.

More magical realism. I can’t help it; while I’m not a fantasy girl, I love a contemporary with just a hint of magic.

Nonfiction #MSWL

I really wanted to fill my list with about 50% nonfiction. My goal for this year was and is 6 new nonfiction clients. I’ve definitely fallen behind.

My nonfiction list is pretty narrow. I like books that make me a better person–typically those I’d buy for myself.

The bulk of my list includes books on leadership, business, and career. I also like personal development and anything with an action plan. Books on habits, finance, or with a journaling aspect really grab me.

I’d love more books on leadership in today’s new world (aka remote work) and those by and about women at work, but not just for women at work. I especially want more books by and for women of color.

My number one goal with my nonfiction list is to bring more authors of color and women into the conversation. For far too long, they’ve been sidelined to talk only to other people of color or women. It’s time they are not just made part of the larger conversation but are the larger conversation makers.

With nonfiction, the platform is important and I’ll be honest, I care less about your social media and far more about your workshop, speaking or consulting schedule. Of course, a good social media platform helps.

I’m also open to being surprised–a journal, a health book, or a book for teens might grab me. Typically though, I don’t gravitate to memoirs.

And that’s my goal update for mid-year. I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m dedicating myself to digging into my inbox and reading and exploring. It’s always like a hunt for hidden treasure and I never stop loving it.