Neil Gaiman started The Graveyard Book 20 years before he finished it.
Something to be said for letting ideas simmer for a while...
Something to be said for letting ideas simmer for a while...
I'm new to the forum here, but the novel that I am trying to get an agent for is a middlegrade fairy tale/fantasy book.
I've got one request for a full manuscript so far, so I'm crossing my fingers that something will materialize.
I also have another middle-grade book that is in process, although I haven't picked that one up in awhile. It's a bit quirky and whimsical--but a touch of darkness.
While it seems like YA is having this incredible boom, what do you all think about middle-grade? I feel like lately, we're stuck in the shadow of the "big kids".
(I also am currently working on an edgy YA horror novel so that might work in my favor on that front).
I had to post this link for a book trailer for a book that looks great, but may be too harrowing in terms of animal treatment for me (I am a wimp). http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2012/03/trailer-for-lynne-kellys-chained.html
I'll have to rely on some of you, if you read it, to give it a rating on the 1-10 scale of making readers cry.
@Amarie: I'm a wimp, too. I kept asking people if the horse died in War Horse. Interestingly enough, I got different answers from people who had seen the movie.
Someone in my local writers group linked that on our list over the weekend. I actually haven't watched a lot of book trailers. Is that because I'm just not seeking them out, or is this a relatively new kind of advertising in the market. on my list, this particular was touted as excellent. How does it compare to others that you've seen?
@Amarie: I'm a wimp, too. I kept asking people if the horse died in War Horse. Interestingly enough, I got different answers from people who had seen the movie.
Oh my gosh. Does Joey die in the movie? We just finished the book, and my kids are desperate to see the movie. But the MC horse dying? I don't think we'd cope with that.
Heza, everyone has a different opinion on trailers. Mine are most useful for Skype visits and classroom visits, because if kids haven't read the books, it gives them an introduction. I did a Skype visit a couple of weeks ago where the teacher had them watch book trailers, then vote on which book they wanted me to talk about. Here's a link to mine, if you are interested: http://deegarretson.com
Thanks, Amarie! That's what I was wondering--whether they're all static images and text or if some of them were video and voice over. I guess some are more like movie trailers, which is what I was envisioning when I first heard about them.
Do authors usually make their own or hire it out to a production company? Or does the publisher do the trailer? Or does it depend on author/book/house?
ETA: Yours were great, btw!