About BookEnds
BookEnds Literary Agency first opened its doors in 1999 as a book packaging company. At the time, we were looking to take our own fresh and fun ideas and find just the right people to create the books publishers were looking for. Over time, we missed working on fiction and seeing what could come from an author's imagination as well as an author's platform. So not two years after opening its doors, BookEnds changed its literary status to Agency.
Despite a change in name, BookEnds continues to operate with the same attitude as when we started: We're about achieving dreams and doing what we love. Representing fiction and nonfiction for a primarily adult market, BookEnds agents continue to live their dreams while helping authors achieve theirs.
Jessica Faust
As owner and literary agent at BookEnds, Jessica Faust prides herself on working closely with her authors to make their goals come to fruition. Currently she's seeking submissions in the areas of historical, contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, and erotic romance; fantasy, steampunk, women's fiction, and mysteries; and YA, especially steampunk, dystopian, and fantasy YA. In nonfiction, Jessica specializes in current affairs, business, career, pop reference, parenting, women's issues, sex, and general nonfiction. While open to anything, Jessica is most actively seeking unique fiction with a strong hook, and nonfiction with creative ideas and large author platforms.
A veteran of publishing, Jessica began her career in 1994 as an acquisitions editor at Berkley Publishing, Macmillan, and Wiley, where she had the unique opportunity to acquire and edit both fiction and nonfiction. Jessica takes her editing experience to the agency, where she works closely with her authors to create the best possible proposal submissions.
Jessica has been a regular columnist with Romantic Times magazine, taught at New York University's Continuing Education Program, been recognized as Agent of the Year by the NYC Romance Writers of America chapter, and is asked regularly to speak at writers' conferences throughout the world. On average she is a guest speaker at eight conferences each year. She is a member of RWA, MWA, and AAR.
A native of Minnesota, Jessica now lives in New Jersey with her family. Her personal interests include cooking, entertaining, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
You can contact Jessica directly at jfaust@bookends-inc.com or follow her through Twitter at http://twitter.com/BookEndsJessica.
Kim Lionetti
After eight years at Berkley Publishing, Kim Lionetti left her position as Senior Editor to join BookEnds in March 2004. In her editorial work, Kim enjoyed overseeing an eclectic list comprised of romances, westerns, young adult, mysteries, nonfiction, and general fiction. While she enjoys bringing some of that variety to her agenting life, she primarily represents authors in the areas of young adult fiction, women's fiction, mystery, true crime, pop science, pop culture, and romance.
A member of AAR, Kim is currently focused on growing her young adult, women's fiction, and romance lists and is only accepting submissions in those categories. Most important, she is looking for fresh voices and compelling storytelling. Given her extensive editorial background, she enjoys helping authors shape their work into more marketable products and seeing their writing as part of the "bigger picture."
Originally from Pennsylvania, Kim currently resides in New Jersey with her husband, son and daughter, and cat, Winston.
You can contact Kim directly at klionetti@bookends-inc.com or follow her at www.twitter.com/BookEndsKim.
Jessica Alvarez
The newest member of the BookEnds team, Jessica Alvarez joined the agency in April 2011. Jessica began her publishing career in 2001 as an editorial assistant at Harlequin Books. There, she had the opportunity to acquire and edit a wide array of women's fiction, specializing in historical romance, romantic suspense, and inspirational romance. Jessica left Harlequin in 2008 to pursue a freelance editing career, and completed projects for Harlequin, Scholastic Books, Thomas Nelson, and independent writers. She's actively building her client list and is currently looking for women's fiction, erotica, romantic suspense, and single title and category romance submissions. She uses her editorial background to help writers hone their skills and develop strong, marketable stories.
A New Jersey native, Jessica resides in the Garden State with her husband, young son, two energetic dogs, and an indeterminate number of fish.
You can contact Jessica at jalvarez@bookends-inc.com or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AgentJessicaA.
Lauren Ruth
Lauren Ruth started her publishing career as an intern at Simon & Schuster's Touchstone/Fireside imprint while earning her B.A. in English language and literature from Pace University. Shortly thereafter, she completed her second internship at BookEnds, where she fell in love with the literary agency side of the publishing industry. In February 2011, she joined BookEnds as a full-time literary assistant, and very soon after began to build her own client list. She will soon have her master's degree in book publishing. In fiction, Lauren is looking for: romance—all genres; literary fiction; commercial fiction, especially up-market urban fantasy with romantic elements; middle-grade—all subgenres; young adult—all subgenres; mystery, with a strong focus on cozies; women's fiction on the literary side; and smart chick lit, a la The Devil Wears Prada. On the nonfiction side, she's looking for memoir, parenting and family, relationships, food and lifestyle, business, popular science, popular culture, and popular psychology.
Lauren blogs at www.slushpiletales.wordpress.com.
Riggins
As the story goes, Riggins was found wandering the Newark, New Jersey, streets at roughly five months of age. With no home and no owner he was sent off to the local pound, where volunteers from Rawhide Rescue were called in to pick him up and find him a home. After a year of living in a kennel at the rescue, Riggins was introduced to Jessica and her family. A match was made. Riggins spends his days lounging around the BookEnds offices hoping someone will toss him a treat or, even better, a ball. Riggins does not read and is not open to submissions.