Take a peek over at the Class of 2k11 blog today. We started our ongoing Friday feature called Mad Lib Friday....we post a quote, you Mad Lib it and then everyone who comments is entered in a drawing for a monthly prize (a book buying gift certificate, folks!)
Don't miss out on the fun!
Also...as a Middle Grade authorly person of more quiet books, I sometimes get discouraged at today's market and the insatiable appetite for all things NOT contemporary or historical.
Don't misunderstand, I love a good, action packed, paranormal, sci fi or fantasy read....
but is there still any place for regular stories like Because of Winn Dixie or Witch of Blackbird Pond or the like???
This question came to mind again this morning when I saw this announcement in Publishers Marketplace. KUDOS to the author...I am sincerely and honestly happy for her success. Truly, I am. But it does make me wonder where my sweet little stories that feature regular kids in everyday settings might fit into today's literary market....
PM announcement (names removed because it is not about this specific author or deal but more about my question of how and where the market stands on different genres):
Children's: Young Adult
four-book YA futuristic, fairy-tale inspired series, starting with CINDER, Cinderella is re-envisioned through teen heroine Cinder, part girl and part machine, who must piece together her mysterious past before she can fulfill her destiny and save the kingdom -- and the rest of planet Earth -- from an otherworldly enemy; as Cinder's quest continues through the series, she finds allies loosely based Little Red Riding Hood (SCARLET), Rapunzel (CRESS), and Snow White (WINTER) -- as they join forces to conquer evil and find their happily-ever-afters, to XXXof XXX, in a major deal, for high six-figures, at auction, by XXX at XXX.
It seems like a fun, action packed read. I mean a MC that is a half girl and half machine Cinderella? Wowza!
thoughts??
26 comments:
Always room for character driven stories. I'm biased though. :)
Tracy: character driven, yes...but contemporary? historical? I am sincerely hoping there will always be room for those type of character driven novels as well...
I love Winn Dixie! I don't like most of the paranormal stuff out there. What's wrong with the "ordinary" feel good stuff of life? The world is so awful, we need these kinds of stories. Children especially need them!!
Ann
I don't read much middle grade or YA, but I will be doing a lot of that in a few years as my kids get older. My favorite books at that age were the Madeline L'Engle books (A Wrinkle in Time and A Wind in the Door) and the Danny Dunn series (kind of sci-fi with all the inventions the professor made), but I also loved Beverly Clearly and Judy Bloom books. It makes me sad that paranormal is so big right now. Maybe because I don't enjoy reading it myself.
I love introspective books like Judy Bloom and I also love time-travel, ghost, romance . . . and I love historical. A relatable character is the main draw really.
Did you go read the post I linked at the end of today's post about what kids like? It's right along these lines. I think there is a place for these books, and some kids love them and the experiment shows that. We just have to make sure the publishers keep looking for them and printing them. I adored Pictures of Hollis Woods. It would be a great loss if we turned away books like that. Paranormal doesn't appeal to everyone. I love it, but then I love a lot of different styles.
Ann: I agree children do need relatable stories
Meghan: A wrinkle in time...an original sci fi masterpiece, really. Yes, I love that book too.
Amy: A strong MC will pull me through just about any genre..I agree
lotusgirl: I linked over after I wrote this post. Shelley's post was helpful and I think she makes some good points. But our sweet little stories never get "high six figures"...not even a modicum of that. *sigh* It's not about the money,I know...but isn't that a reflection of the market value of an item? of the demand?
I am really hoping there is room for all of it. My daughter reads mostly realistic fiction. She is in love with Winn-Dixie. And then there is my son who reads anything fantasy and will probably grow into dystopian and paranormal. The thing I hope all the books will have is GOOOOD WRITIN'(I m trying to type that with a sort of southern drawl in order to emphasize my engagement!). Because if an author pulls me in, other-worldly or not, I'm all for it.
Tess, Without sounding too negative about market trends, I wanted to tell you, I COMPLETELY understand how you feel. I read the synopses for books coming out and they're just not my "thing." Or something. Don't worry, there will always be nerds like me who appreciate a reality-based story with strong characters and great writing. (Pst, and I think the critics like them, too.)
Amy
I keep hearing contemporary is on the way up. Lots of agents are clamouring for more of it. I believe it's the next big thing. However, six-figure deals like this make me wonder. I agree with Tina, should be room for all.
No comment on the CINDER title. *wink*
CINDER sounds pretty cool. But then again, I'm a sucker for books based off of fairy tales. :)
Tina: my heart and mind agree but I can't help but feel a squeezing of that classic, contemp fiction to make room for the rest.
AL: I hope so :)
TerryLynn: seriously? where do you hear that? I need to talk to those people!
Glam: I know! I had the same thought...you had it first, though. And, no robots (which I somewhat prefer)
Jennifer: yes, but would you think to do this with a fairy tale? I guess that's what makes it intriguing to publishers and lends itself to auction. That author clearly knows what she is doing and must have written a stellar novel to back the concept up.
interesting thoughts, all. i so appreciate a good,open discussion.
Since I write MG historicals too, I wonder about the future as well, Tess. I guess only time will tell if our quiet and quirky little stories still have a place in the world.
What a cool feature you 2k11ers have planned! Thanks for sharing. :o)
I think there's room in the market for all kinds of MGs...the more the merrier. Let's just get kids READING!
I'm a complete fantasy/sci fi addict, but my kids read from all different genres.
I read and write mostly contemporary stories but love a good sci fi where I can suspend disbelief. I think there will always be a spot for contemporary stories. And, I'm not sure that they trend like the other genres. Just a thought.
I hope the heartfelt "quiet" reads live on. Your story must be well written and powerful to make it in a publishing world that seems to crave fast-paced sci-fi. Keep writing. We'll keep reading.
Wow! High six-figures, huh? Maybe I should retire my contemporary and start writing about machines - lol. Really though, I'm sure it's going to be an amazing series...but I get what you're saying about contemporary & historical seeming like it's not as popular anymore. Hopefully it's just a phase.
BTW - I've tried to comment several times on the 2k11 blog, and my comments have not gone through. I'm not sure why... it keeps giving me an error message?
You know Tess, one of my all time favorite books (still) is Strawberry Girl. I don't know how many times I've read it...I can't wait for your book to come out. I have a feeling, based on what I've already read, that it's going to rank right up there on my list of favorite books.
Very interesting post and comments, Tess. I hope that in the rush to meet today's market demands there will always and forever be wonderful reality-based stories.
I came by to say hello and wish you a great Week.
Oh Tess!! ME too!! Sweet, classic MGs. Everyone needs to slow down and breathe, right?
I love sci fi and fantasy when I was younger. My favorite book was Children of Morrow by H.M. Hoover but I dont think Sci then was so popular. And this new sci fi is too techy for me but maybe that is where things are heading. Thanks for mentioning Witch of Blackbird Pond. I loved that book. I think YA need contemporary realistic novels though to help them sort through their own experiences and feelings.
I have to believe there will always be a place for well-written beautiful books, whatever the genre. We need them for our souls.
Just had to chime in, Tess. I've been thinking the very same thing...wondering the same thing...angsting over the same thing. Then again, I also write contemporary stories. I just remind myself that there's room for all...and readers for all.
I'm new here, but as a lover of MG/YA lit, I must say I have not been thrilled by the influx of paranormal and the like. While I think there is a place for it, it seems like it is taking over. I mean, some of my favorite books are The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, Jane Eyre and Catalyst by Halsie, for goodness sake. I want more of that. But I am glad there is more out there for kids to choose. I just wish it was a more balanced effort by publishers.
-Robyn
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