PVish, that's interesting, because I've heard from several other agents that under 30K is a bit short for MG these days. And plenty of books are selling at over 45K.
If you are on the low side (like under 50,000 words for YA or under 40,000 words for MG), you might not have developed your story enough.
Hi all,
A few AWers(Timp) and I have joined some other MG authors on a new blog, Project Mayhem, to talk about publishing, writing, and everything kidlit related. I'm giving away a signed hardcover of my book, WILDFIRE RUN, so check it out if you are interested. Today's post is about some of the things I've learned trying to get published. Here'e the link
I just found this thread a few days ago and finally read all 20 pages. A big thanks to timp67 for starting it and to all who have contributed to it. Once again, I've been inspired to resume work on my middle grade novel, Play Ball, which I first began writing 7 years ago.
I use the excuse of running my small landscape design-build business to avoid writing, especially when my muse abandons me or I get yet another rejection. The closest I got to landing an agent was when one told me she loved the first half, then around 92k words, but the second half, which involves the MC moving in with his aunt in another state, the story was not nearly as strong. The agent requested a rewrite, then another before finally passing.
For those who have recently found agents or have been published, CONGRATULATIONS!
For those enduring the brutal road to publication, I'd like to refer you to a quote Amarie provides in her article in the linked blog: "Never give up! Never surrender!" For those who haven't, it says a lot about your character. And to you, I say, CONGRATULATIONS!
Yep. Kristin Nelson, for example, says:
The main point of that particular blog entry is that word count is unimportant -- it's the story that counts. However, she apparently believes anything under 40,000 words is a bit short for MG. I disagree with her about that, but her opinion is worth noting, since she is a well-respected agent.
Smish
A friend of mine, a successful MG author, mentioned she thought one of the big differences between MG and YA (besides the age of the mc) was that in YA, the focus tends to be on the internal life of the MC, as in coming of age stories, or how events (whether parents divorcing or aliens invading) affect the protag.One thing I found interesting too...this summer I won 9 MG ARCs, and I noticed a few of them have protags that are 14. This leads me to believe there's some leeway in the protag age if the style of writing and the type of storyline is cleary MG territory.
I think the time perspective is another key difference. MG kids are focused in the moment: Right now and what's going to happen next. Adults are focused behind: How did we end up in this place? Teens are focused on the future: What is my life going to become when I finally get out on my own?
I think the time perspective is another key difference. MG kids are focused in the moment: Right now and what's going to happen next. Adults are focused behind: How did we end up in this place? Teens are focused on the future: What is my life going to become when I finally get out on my own?
I've heard it said that MG is about characters finding their place in the family, and YA is about them finding their place in the world.
I think the time perspective is another key difference. MG kids are focused in the moment: Right now and what's going to happen next. Adults are focused behind: How did we end up in this place? Teens are focused on the future: What is my life going to become when I finally get out on my own?
Was that an R and R, Smish?
Just saw this and looked up your book. CONGRATULATIONS!LIVVIE OWEN LIVED HERE is out in the world! It's release day!
I'm going to celebrate by staying in bed all day and doing absolutely nothing.
Just popping in to let you know (and you may already) that at SCBWI LA, boy MG is being talked about a lot. Scholastic has an editor specifically hired to look for more MG boy books. Just thought folks would like to know how hot it is right now.
Just saw this and looked up your book. CONGRATULATIONS!
This gives me a bit more confidence for my first queries I am sending next week!
WOW Sary that an interesting page spread!
My book launch party is today! I'm very excited!