Novel Genre...?

Question

Hi, I want to write not a novel but a book. I want to direct it at Young Adult readers or Children. I know its easier to write a childrens book (pagewise) but its kind of embarassing for a 14 year old to write a book like that. I'd hope my friends would support me but i dont want to be laughed at.. And i dont have any ideas for a young adult book.. HELP!

I am thinking about writing a book about a guy who was a jock in high school.. He always picked on this one kid.. Later in his life he is a bum on the sides of the streets.. He sees on the news one day the kid he picked on broke a 112 million dollar deal at his new business. The bum goes to see him to beg for money.. The guy takes him in and is overly generous.. and he is trying to firgure out why.. The rich guy then tells him in the end of the book that 4 years of his criticism and mocking helped strengthen him and prepare him to always keep on fighting and thats how he got there

good? or bad?

Answer 1

You have chosen the most difficult thing in the publishing business - getting a children's book published.

Let me describe for you the current nature of the children's book market. I just finished ghostwriting two children's books for a very major sports figure - already sold to a very major NY publisher. The first is with artist now and due out in Spring. I am currently working on another one with others to follow. I am normally a mystery novelist, and quite honestly it is not easier. Fitting a whole story into 48 pages and allowing for the words to fit the images the artist draws is very difficult. I think an editor works harder on a children's book than a novel. I have seen some of my pages illustrated and I am having problems getting the words to fit.

This information was given to me by a Senior Editor at the publisher I write for ...

40% of children's books published today are by celebs like Madonna, Jamie Lee Curtis etc.

40% are written by existing, established children's authors like Eric Carle.

15-20% are reprints of children's classics like Curious George.

That leaves at best 5% for new authors.

And that percentage is being cut into by adult authors like Carl Hiaasen and Mary Higgins Clark entering the childrens' market recently.

To that, add the fact that most of the large publishing companies are backlogged with children's books they have under contract but havent gotten out yet.

As a result, most A list publishers aren't even reading childrens' books right now, which means agents arent either. Agents only read what they can sell.

There is very little room to break into the children's market. Only books that are extremely exceptional and have huge appeal stand a chance. Forget any holiday related books - the selling season is too short to make money.

Take a walk through any major childrens' book department and you will confirm what I am telling you. Getting a childrens' book done is almost impossible - and getting an advance for it is virtually out of the question anymore. Unless you fall into one of those categories above. I am fortunate to have the backing of a very major sports star to get me in the door with kids books. I write adult novels, but believe me I have tried with kids books before and failed for exactly the reasons I list here. Ghostwriting has gotten me in through the back door, and now I will be able to sell some of the children's books that have my name on them. For now, someone else's name is on the cover. Someone whose name sells books - big time. Don't ask me how you can get a ghostwriting deal for a major sports star ... I really backed into this. It was a gift from Heaven really and it is a blast working with this person too!!! My mantle is now covered with sports memorabilia worth a fortune!! Presents.

That is the nature of the beast. You might get a copy of Writers Market and search for some small publishers who are reading childrens' books, but searching through the agents section, you will see that almost NO agents are reading childrens' books. Try for some small publishers that read without going through an agent. Expect a lot of rejection. Develop a really thick skin and learn to advocate for yourself.

Always remember that before you send anything to anyone, check them out. Preditors and Editors, Absolute Write Water Cooler's Bewares and Background Checks, Writers Weekly.com and Writers Wall are all great sources and totally free - although if they help you, it is nice to contribute a donation. Someone has to pay for running the sites. If you do not see information on the publisher or agent in question, write to Dave K at Preditors and Editors, Victoria Strauss or James Macdonald at Absolute Write or Angela Hoy at Writers Weekly. They are happy to pass along any info they have to help you.

As for self publishing it - it will get you nowhere. Self published books dont make it to bookstores. Childrens' books are impulse buys. What is out on the tables for kids to see is what sells. Kids don't shop at websites for things like books. They have to hold them in their hand and nag Mom to buy it. The only way to achieve that is through a good traditional publisher. Good luck. Pax - C

Answer 2

You should always write what you want to write, no matter what your friends might think. Writing books for a younger audience, although often shorter (but not always--some of those Harry Potter books are pretty dang long), can be harder to write, because you have to be careful about what vocabulary you use, the themes and situations you write about, etc.

I'm not sure what your distinction is between a novel and a book. The plot you describe sounds like fiction: so if it's a book, and fiction, it would be a novel. If you're writing a book that's not a novel, then you'll be writing a non-fiction book.

Good luck! As I think someone else said, write what you know--as a 14-yr old, you should know a lot about writing for teens. Go for it.

Answer 3

I don't think I've ever read a teen novel, which may be ironic considering I'm 17 and have only been seriously reading for a few years. For some reason, the genre I read most is science fiction. I don't plan it this way, and I'm not sure that I'd even say sci-fi is my favorite genre. I just happen to like a few writers that usually stick to sci-fi. For instance, Philip K. Dick is one of my favorites; by him, I've read "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" and "A Scanner Darkly". "A Scanner Darkly" has fewer sci-fi elements and offers more emotion than DADoES, but both are fantastic. Also, "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury is very retro, which I like. It was written the 1950's and has a lot of classic sci-fi elements, but is also very mature in its portrayal of human (and alien) emotion. I'm currently reading "Consider Phlebas" by Iain M. Banks, which is more modern (1980's). It has a very gritty, mature style if that's what you're into.

Answer 4

In my opinion, ask yourself first what kind of books you like to read. Then sit down and brainstorm ideas out. You could make a fantasy adventure book for young adults. The possibilities are endless. Or write based on personal experiences. In the world of writing anything is possible.

Answer 5

I do not think it is embarrassing. Write about what you know. Join a Writers Group and learn to critic each other and take criticism well.

Start with a book you liked reading and write something similar.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Go to Writer's Digest com.