Comments on: New Adult & Shelving http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/ Et ignotas animum dimittit in artes Sat, 19 May 2012 17:08:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Whom Do I Query? | Uncreated Conscience http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-945 Whom Do I Query? | Uncreated Conscience Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:27:51 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-945 [...] time to answer a question about New Adult that hasbeen cropping up with astonishing regularity. I answered a few here, but the most pressing concern seems to be from writers seeking to query manuscripts that may fall [...] [...] time to answer a question about New Adult that hasbeen cropping up with astonishing regularity. I answered a few here, but the most pressing concern seems to be from writers seeking to query manuscripts that may fall [...]

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]]> By: More on this New Adult phenomenon… « Katie Ellyson http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-901 More on this New Adult phenomenon… « Katie Ellyson Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:04:22 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-901 [...] Jae Jones of St. Martin’s Press has a great blog post (one of many) in which she talks about what it feels like to be one of these emerging adults, as [...] [...] Jae Jones of St. Martin’s Press has a great blog post (one of many) in which she talks about what it feels like to be one of these emerging adults, as [...]

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]]> By: Empty refrigerator http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-755 Empty refrigerator Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:45:11 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-755 I just found out about this contest tonight - and it's over, of course. Oh, also, I just found out about this GENRE tonight. I could go on and on about my newly completed novel and the discussions my librarian sister and I have had about whether it should be queried as YA or adult. You can imagine my joy at discovering this genre - and my hair-tearing angst at missing the contest by four days. So here's my question - for those of us who missed the contest...what can we do? Are any agents specifically looking NA, or is it just too new at this point? Can we submit directly to you - or would that be too overwhelming, not to mention wrong? Please, please answer this. I just found out about this contest tonight – and it’s over, of course. Oh, also, I just found out about this GENRE tonight. I could go on and on about my newly completed novel and the discussions my librarian sister and I have had about whether it should be queried as YA or adult. You can imagine my joy at discovering this genre – and my hair-tearing angst at missing the contest by four days. So here’s my question – for those of us who missed the contest…what can we do? Are any agents specifically looking NA, or is it just too new at this point? Can we submit directly to you – or would that be too overwhelming, not to mention wrong? Please, please answer this.

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]]> By: Name (required)Finny http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-751 Name (required)Finny Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:20:06 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-751 I have to say that I COMPLETELY RELATE to the sensation of not actually be quite there -- that mysterious land of the "grown up". I think you described it really well... P.S. I'm glad someone thinks there's a place in the market for New Adult. Can't wait to read some of it. I have to say that I COMPLETELY RELATE to the sensation of not actually be quite there — that mysterious land of the “grown up”. I think you described it really well…

P.S. I’m glad someone thinks there’s a place in the market for New Adult. Can’t wait to read some of it.

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]]> By: New Adult & Shelving | Uncreated Conscience « Blogging http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-734 New Adult & Shelving | Uncreated Conscience « Blogging Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:22:22 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-734 [...] Go here to see the original: New Adult & Shelving | Uncreated Conscience [...] [...] Go here to see the original: New Adult & Shelving | Uncreated Conscience [...]

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]]> By: Shalanna Collins http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-730 Shalanna Collins Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:54:43 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-730 Christine--I want to read your escapist post-teen coming-of-age fantasy! It has been a LONG time since the Powers That Be have said a coming-of-age novel was marketable. The ones I wrote while I was in college (at SMU, in the Creative Writing program, just this side of juvenilia, I suppose) were supposedly perfectly good coming-of-age stories, but the problem was that NO ONE was buying coming-of-age. "Everyone's read A SEPARATE PEACE, SUMMER OF '42, and all that, and it's over," said one agent who felt like being frank. (But she wasn't Frank. I think she was Rose. I'm not sure--this was the mid-1980s.) Anyway, coming-of-age is one of my favorite types of stories . . . not always about a sexual coming-of-age, either. And of course I am already ready to read Barb's CARMEN book! I love opera and can't figure out why someone hasn't novelized COSI FAN TUTTI. Well, perhaps I *can* kinda see why. But maybe if I figure out how to do it right. . . . (I've already done my take on THE MAGIC FLUTE. *grin*) I can't wait to see the chosen ones out of the current contest, and see how quickly we can have the finished books in our hands. Yum! Christine–I want to read your escapist post-teen coming-of-age fantasy! It has been a LONG time since the Powers That Be have said a coming-of-age novel was marketable. The ones I wrote while I was in college (at SMU, in the Creative Writing program, just this side of juvenilia, I suppose) were supposedly perfectly good coming-of-age stories, but the problem was that NO ONE was buying coming-of-age. “Everyone’s read A SEPARATE PEACE, SUMMER OF ’42, and all that, and it’s over,” said one agent who felt like being frank. (But she wasn’t Frank. I think she was Rose. I’m not sure–this was the mid-1980s.) Anyway, coming-of-age is one of my favorite types of stories . . . not always about a sexual coming-of-age, either.

And of course I am already ready to read Barb’s CARMEN book! I love opera and can’t figure out why someone hasn’t novelized COSI FAN TUTTI. Well, perhaps I *can* kinda see why. But maybe if I figure out how to do it right. . . . (I’ve already done my take on THE MAGIC FLUTE. *grin*)

I can’t wait to see the chosen ones out of the current contest, and see how quickly we can have the finished books in our hands. Yum!

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]]> By: Christine H http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-676 Christine H Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:49:40 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-676 I am following this contest with immense interest, because it answers a key question that has stumped me for a while about my WIP: who is my audience? This whole issue of how to market something once it's written is terrifying for a new author... especially when the book isn't done yet. I keep thinking, should I be doing this differently? Am I making huge mistakes that will make it unsellable? I thought I had to choose between teenagers and adults, and the book really doesn't fit with either. So I'm really hoping this takes off because I think it is the perfect niche, and one I myself prefer to read. Yeah, most adult books are boring. Not to mention depressing. Argh! I am 39 and even though I am a wife, mom, and a professional on my 3rd career - well, fourth if you count being an author too - I only JUST started thinking of myself as a "grown-up." I think it's because of those tiny brown spots I found on my cheek. Age spots? ME? You MUST be joking! And the fact that a couple people I know have died of cancer. Not funny. Suddenly, losing people makes you feel old. Sorry, now I got depressing! I think my story is a nice escapist, coming of age, post-teen fantasy. I'll keep working on it for the next contest! I am following this contest with immense interest, because it answers a key question that has stumped me for a while about my WIP: who is my audience?

This whole issue of how to market something once it’s written is terrifying for a new author… especially when the book isn’t done yet. I keep thinking, should I be doing this differently? Am I making huge mistakes that will make it unsellable?

I thought I had to choose between teenagers and adults, and the book really doesn’t fit with either. So I’m really hoping this takes off because I think it is the perfect niche, and one I myself prefer to read.

Yeah, most adult books are boring. Not to mention depressing. Argh!

I am 39 and even though I am a wife, mom, and a professional on my 3rd career – well, fourth if you count being an author too – I only JUST started thinking of myself as a “grown-up.” I think it’s because of those tiny brown spots I found on my cheek. Age spots? ME? You MUST be joking!

And the fact that a couple people I know have died of cancer. Not funny. Suddenly, losing people makes you feel old.

Sorry, now I got depressing!

I think my story is a nice escapist, coming of age, post-teen fantasy. I’ll keep working on it for the next contest!

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]]> By: Linda http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-579 Linda Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:56:51 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-579 Great post. And a welcome discussion of what is YA and what makes some novels appealing to younger adults and to all the 'other' adults. I've had agents love my story, love my writing, but tell me to either age down or age up my protags so they could sell my tale. I'm sticking to my story, and hoping 'New Adult' sticks as well. Peace, Linda Great post. And a welcome discussion of what is YA and what makes some novels appealing to younger adults and to all the ‘other’ adults. I’ve had agents love my story, love my writing, but tell me to either age down or age up my protags so they could sell my tale. I’m sticking to my story, and hoping ‘New Adult’ sticks as well. Peace, Linda

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]]> By: Barb Ferrer http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-561 Barb Ferrer Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:39:05 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-561 I think it's really exciting and something that's been needed for a long time-- my first two YA novels had protagonists that were 17 & 18/19 respectively and moreover, were the youngest characters in the books. Neither one was set in high school and the themes they explored weren't necessarily of the dark, preternaturally adult type, but more of the going out into the world and learning who you are type. My third YA I just recently sold to St. Martin's-- I have no idea if it's going to be considered within this "new adult" designation, but I suspect it might-- again, I have an 18 year-old protagonist, she's the youngest character, and very little of the story takes place within a school setting, and in fact, the basis of the story is Carmen, so it's not exactly a light and fluffy read. While I've never had anyone request that I change the ages of my protagonists, I've lived in fear that it might be requested-- especially with Carmen because of the nature of the story. I'm definitely just this side of cautiously optimistic and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. Barb I think it’s really exciting and something that’s been needed for a long time– my first two YA novels had protagonists that were 17 & 18/19 respectively and moreover, were the youngest characters in the books. Neither one was set in high school and the themes they explored weren’t necessarily of the dark, preternaturally adult type, but more of the going out into the world and learning who you are type.

My third YA I just recently sold to St. Martin’s– I have no idea if it’s going to be considered within this “new adult” designation, but I suspect it might– again, I have an 18 year-old protagonist, she’s the youngest character, and very little of the story takes place within a school setting, and in fact, the basis of the story is Carmen, so it’s not exactly a light and fluffy read.

While I’ve never had anyone request that I change the ages of my protagonists, I’ve lived in fear that it might be requested– especially with Carmen because of the nature of the story.

I’m definitely just this side of cautiously optimistic and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.

Barb

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]]> By: Steve http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/new-adult-shelving/comment-page-1/#comment-560 Steve Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:47:27 +0000 http://sjaejones.com/?p=3140#comment-560 You said: "I will be straight–adult fiction is flailing. Why? I can’t possibly tell you." I can tell you in one sentence. Most of what is in the adult fiction section of the bookstore is just boring. Maybe this is because YA is looser in what "rules" have to be followed to be picked up by an agent or publisher. -Steve You said:

“I will be straight–adult fiction is flailing. Why? I can’t possibly tell you.”

I can tell you in one sentence. Most of what is in the adult fiction section of the bookstore is just boring.

Maybe this is because YA is looser in what “rules” have to be followed to be picked up by an agent or publisher.

-Steve

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