New Client Alert – Brianna Fenty

Name: Brianna Fenty
What you Write: Horror
Agent: Amanda Jain
Why BookEnds? They match passion with passion – you know they’re going to work hard to make your work the best it can possibly be, all while being more welcoming than I could possibly imagine.

What book do you wish you had written, and why?

Not so much a book, but a short story: From Beyond by H.P. Lovecraft. There’s nothing more terrifying than losing control of your reality; something you thought was concrete, defined, certain. All at once you’re subject to the whims of those vast, unknowable unknowns you never even knew were there, watching and waiting until the door that kept you safe finally opens and lets them through.

From Beyond transcends horror fiction—it’s pure existential dread. What more could a horror writer ask for than to send her readers to bed with the lights on?

If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing? 

Probably giving myself an aneurysm playing horror games or watching movies, searching for inspiration in narrative walking simulators, or indulging either of my two guilty pleasures: watching YouTube videos about true crime, unsolved mysteries, and the supernatural, or re-watching my favorite shows for the thousandth time because I miss the characters just that much. (I’m currently binging The 100 for the second time).

Where can readers find you on the web and social media?

Way too many places. You can find me on my neglected Twitter @fentyscribbles or my overused Instagram, @drysharks. If you want something more official, head to my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bmfenty) or website (www.briannafenty.com)!

What’s the last book you read?

Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. After a quarter lifetime of “not being able to get into him”, I finally read The Outsider and fell in love with King’s writing and characters, but most especially his ability to throw caution to the wind and “go there” – crossing shocking lines many authors dare not even approach. Now that’s what I call creative license.

If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location?

You know those tiny derelict churches in Iceland between the sea and the mountains without a single house, town, or person around for miles? Probably one of those—provided I have Internet access, of course.

I’ll take a cat, a horse, and a few goats, while you’re at it.

What’s your favorite quote about reading or writing?

“Writing about the unholy is one way of writing about what is sacred. ” – Clive Barker.

Alternatively, and lighter-hearted: “Words are sexier than flesh.” – … also Clive Barker.

What’s your favorite piece of writing advice you’ve received?

No matter how hard you try, you’re always going to offend someone. Write what you want to write. Write what’s real. Write for yourself and worry about opinions later.*

*optional.

What excites you most about joining the BookEnds family?

The fact that it actually feels like a family. I’m a naturally anxious person, so meeting and speaking with new people (especially with my dreams on the line and all that, no big deal) isn’t exactly my forte. But from the moment I accepted that Zoom call, all that went away. Poof. The folks at BookEnds are not only friendly and supportive, but they’re just as passionate about your project as you are—and it most definitely shows.

What advice would you give to other authors in the query trenches?

Chuck Wendig can probably articulate it better than I can:

“Gotta have a head like a wrecking ball, a spirit like one of them punching clown dummies that always weeble-wobbles back up to standing. This takes time. Stories need to find the right home, the right audience. Stick with it. Quitting is for sad pandas.”

Don’t be a sad panda.