Okay--if you're getting the okay sign from acquisition editors, publishers, or agents who have sold YA, then consider that a green light. The top people to listen to are the ones who will actually pay you money for work they have seen and given the okay to. The next group would be working YA writers, because they deal with publishers every day. Everybody else--it's a matter of guess and intelligent reading. They can't be sure, and you don't want to blow a possible book deal when the editor reads your first chapter.
Are you a member of the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)? They also cover teen writers, and they are really good at connecting writers and actual, working editors at their workshops. You'll be able to get word on whether or not what you have is appropriate from real editors this way. You'll also be able to get information on agents and contracts. Of all the writers' organizations, with perhaps the exception of the Romance Writers of America, SCBWI is the best at helping writers to learn the pitfalls and to get published.
And I'm not arguing with that. But you also gave us a segment of your proposed YA novel, and what I was saying is that even with the changes in what is saleable in YA now, I felt that the level of violence in what you had was beyond what a YA publisher would accept.
I'd love to read and review your book, but I can't promise I'll get to it immediately and don't know when I'll be able to review it either. It's not really my genre, but it sounds really good.
I don't know if you're still around, but I came to look at a just-posted link and saw this. I think my life went through a crazy spot just then, which is why I didn't reply at the time. I want to do so now, though, because it makes me cranky that you assumed I don't know anything about contemporary teen life or teen books, and I think you may also have made an assumption about the kind of books I write. So, before you think I write safe fantasy that doesn't reflect the real world for teenagers, I wish you would take a look at my novels MAGIC STEPS, STREET MAGIC, COLD FIRE, SHATTERGLASS, TERRIER, or BLOODHOUND.
Next, FIGHT CLUB is not a YA novel. I don't know about the other title, but FIGHT CLUB, while it may be read by teens of your acquaintance, isn't stocked in teen shelves in bookstores and it isn't placed on teen shelves in libraries. It's one of the adult books teens make a jump to, but no teen publisher would touch it. If you're trying to market your book to teen publishers, you need to take that into account.
I read widely in contemporary YA. I know what the envelope is and I frequently stretch it, though fantasy writers are often given a pass because people erroneously assume we're "safe." When something is too violent for me, it's definitely going to be too violent for YA publishers.
Hi, Chris. I apologize for never getting back to you on this, I have no idea why I never got the message that you'd left a comment. I just received a different one and found yours. If you still need me to read and review, I'd be happy to do so, it sounds like an intriguing book.
Hi, Chris!
I'm sorry I took so long getting my review posted. I am blogging at
sci-fiisforgirls@blogspot.com. You are my first! Thank God for summer vacation; I can get caught up!
Send it. I can't promise when I'll get through it and it's not my genre. However, I’ll give a go. Good luck, you seemed to have cracked the promotional code. You’re first chapter is marvelous
Jamie,
www.nickgrantadventures.com jamie.dodson@knology.net
Hi Chris, I can barely keep up with reading for my own work - research, etc. - so I wouldn't be the best person to blog about your new book. All the best with it,
Kathleen
Have you read much in the way of contemporary YA? (It's not a snotty question, it's a straight up one.) If you haven't, I'll recommend some books that will be a pretty good sample of just how dark it gets, but if you have, I won't waste your time.
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Are you a member of the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)? They also cover teen writers, and they are really good at connecting writers and actual, working editors at their workshops. You'll be able to get word on whether or not what you have is appropriate from real editors this way. You'll also be able to get information on agents and contracts. Of all the writers' organizations, with perhaps the exception of the Romance Writers of America, SCBWI is the best at helping writers to learn the pitfalls and to get published.
Good luck!
I'd love to read and review your book, but I can't promise I'll get to it immediately and don't know when I'll be able to review it either. It's not really my genre, but it sounds really good.
-Rima
rimasbookjournal@yahoo.com
Next, FIGHT CLUB is not a YA novel. I don't know about the other title, but FIGHT CLUB, while it may be read by teens of your acquaintance, isn't stocked in teen shelves in bookstores and it isn't placed on teen shelves in libraries. It's one of the adult books teens make a jump to, but no teen publisher would touch it. If you're trying to market your book to teen publishers, you need to take that into account.
I read widely in contemporary YA. I know what the envelope is and I frequently stretch it, though fantasy writers are often given a pass because people erroneously assume we're "safe." When something is too violent for me, it's definitely going to be too violent for YA publishers.
I'm sorry I took so long getting my review posted. I am blogging at
sci-fiisforgirls@blogspot.com. You are my first! Thank God for summer vacation; I can get caught up!
Send it. I can't promise when I'll get through it and it's not my genre. However, I’ll give a go. Good luck, you seemed to have cracked the promotional code. You’re first chapter is marvelous
Jamie,
www.nickgrantadventures.com jamie.dodson@knology.net
Kathleen
Tammy Pierce
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