Moe Ferrara on Meeting Your Literary Heroes

Since I started at BookEnds, I’ve been thinking a lot about my childhood and the books I read growing up (especially given the areas I’m representing!). I come from a very weird age group—older than “Gen X” but really not quite a “Millennial” either. I remember a time before technology, when you had to learn how to use a card catalogue in order to find a book at a library. Old enough to have listened to music first on records then cassettes then CDs and now on MP3s. I remember when macs had a 3” black & white screen and the most advanced game was seeing who died of dysentery in Oregon Trail.

There really wasn’t much in the “age appropriate” pile growing up, outside of Judy Blume (aw, yeah TALES OF A FOURTH-GRADE NOTHING) or The Baby-Sitter’s Club…there wasn’t much to read. Thus, I often read far above my age bracket. 

But there was Goosebumps. I was just about to start third grade when WELCOME TO DEAD HOUSE came out. (For the uninitiated, that was the first book in R.L Stine’s creepy-as-hell paranormal MG series). I devoured them… and I still have ALL of my books in my basement back at my folks’ house. Goosebumps gave way to the Fear Street series. Later my cousin introduced me to Christopher Pike. These were the “YA” books of my generation and I was reading toward the end of elementary school and into middle school.

This year at BEA, I had the supreme honor of getting to meet R.L. Stine. 

I won’t lie. I turned into an utter fangirl. I had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to thank him for the books that I grew up reading. The books I read with a flashlight under the covers. Ten-year-old me couldn’t even imagine being in a position where I could meet an actual author!

With the friends I have (sorry, no bragging here!), it takes a lot to get me star-struck. Through things like conventions, anyone can have the opportunity to meet their heroes—literary or otherwise. I had a chance to meet Stephen Lawhead a few years ago. I mourn the fact that Tom Clancy passed before I got the chance to thank him for the books I read all through high school. 

But you know what? It’s okay to fangirl when you meet legends like this (just don’t turn creepy and respect boundaries of course!). Because when there’s a person like that who has had such a profound effect on your life, it’s the best feeling in the world to tell someone “my life was changed because of you.” Not only that, but it means the world to them to know their words and their works have made a difference in someone else’s life.

So I pose to you guys reading — who is your “literary hero” you’d love to meet and why?

--Moe Ferrara

Get to Know Moe Ferrara

We are so excited to have Moe join BookEnds. It's always great to have fresh ideas come into a team, and Moe has already made some wonderful changes. At this point, you probably all know that Moe is looking for adult, young adult and middle grade submissions, especially in Science Fiction and Fantasy. She's also looking for romance and LBGBTQ characters. However, there's more to Moe than just her submission guidelines and I wanted to give her the floor to let you get to know her a little better.

Oh, and don't forget to follow Moe on Twitter: @inthesestones 

Tagline: I’m not really a coffee addict, I just play one on TV.

What Excites You About Being an Agent: I honestly cannot wait to dive into my submissions inbox. HINT: this totally means that if you are writing in the genres I represent, you should be flooding my inbox to the point I’m quoting JAWS and asking for a bigger boat. (please say I haven’t just dated myself here…)

Book Concepts You Never Want to See in Your Query Box: No vampires. Please. No vampires. I will look at literally ANY other paranormal creature… save vampires.

Glass ½ full or ½ empty: Actually, it doesn’t matter if it’s half full or half empty. What matters is that there’s still room for more coffee or more wine. My ideal glass is the one that will hold an entire bottle of wine… but I digress.

Starbucks Drink of Choice: Back in another life I worked at Starbucks, so I’ve lost the taste for it after making one too many caramel macchiatos. However, I have two drinks I absolutely adore — one is on the menu and one is something we baristas came up with. On the menu, when I need a caffeine jolt (are we seeing a trend here?) would be a grande sugar-free cinnamon dolce Americano. For those playing along at home, that is the proper way to “call” a drink. Some habits never die. However, if you want a fantastic drink in the fall/winter, ask for a “Chaider.” Order a caramel apple spice and ask for a bit of chai in it. Trust me — tastes exactly like mulled cider.

eReader or Print book: It really depends on the type of book I’m reading. If it’s submissions, I tend to read them on my iPad because it puts me in the frame of mind to read critically. My Kindle is stocked with about 90% erotic romance and the books I utterly adore and want them close to hand if I want to re-visit an old love. Otherwise… as the friends who have helped me move can attest… I own far too many print books. So the not-so-short answer is “both.”

Morning person or Evening person: Well, since it’s currently 1:38 AM as I’m answering these questions, I leave it to you to decide if I’m a morning or an evening person.

Working soundtrack: I oscillate between Broadway and film soundtracks depending on what I’m working on at any given point in time. Right now, I’m staring at Spotify waiting for the Something Rotten! soundtrack to drop so I can play it obsessively.

If You Could Move Your Office Anywhere in the world where would you go: I say this without hesitation: London. I lived abroad for five months during law school and it’s one of the few places that just feels like home to me. If money weren’t an object, I’d base my office near Earl’s Court or Kensington.

Any other questions for Moe? Now's the time to ask.

Meet Moe Ferrara, The Newest BookEnds Agent

I have been waiting and waiting to announce this news, not necessarily patiently, and here it is. I am thrilled to announce the addition of Moe Ferrara to BookEnds.

The very first time I talked with Moe I knew she was someone I wanted to have a beer with and, therefore, the perfect fit for our team. Before even officially starting at BookEnds she's proven herself to be smart, creative, passionate, motivated and a real go-getter. I feel very lucky that she's chosen to continue following her publishing dreams with BookEnds.

Moe is looking to acquire adult, young adult and middle grade fiction in science fiction, fantasy and romance. She's also actively looking for projects with LGBTQ characters. Queries can be sent to Moe at MFsubmissions@bookends-inc.com.

Moe joins Kim Lionetti, Jessica Alvarez and Beth Campbell at BookEnds. I couldn't be prouder of this team and everything they do. 

More information on all the BookEnds agents, who they are and what they are acquiring can be found on our website.

Today is a great day to celebrate at BookEnds. Please spread the word and help me welcome Moe.

--jhf