STATUS: This is a first for me. CBS films has a dedicated FB page for LEGEND the Movie. And you get first peek at the just released cover. Sweet.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? MISSIONARY MAN by Eurythmics
This is actually a good question. A quick look shows that we have 8 full manuscripts in the queue to be read. And here’s where they fall:
6 titles are Young Adult (breakdown by genre, 3 fantasies, 2 paranormals, 1 contemporary)
1 title is adult literary fiction
1 title is adult women’s fiction
We just sent responses to an adult fantasy that we passed on as well as a middle grade title that had several agents interested but ended up not being quite right for us.
Of the 3 clients Sara just signed: adult SF novel, adult Historical Romance, and Paranormal YA.
And as a bonus, here is Kristin as a talking head yet again. This time I’m reading a short excerpt from the Philip K Dick nominee SF novel SONG OF SCARABAEUS for the awards ceremony last Friday. The sound is not the best so you’ll probably have to turn up your volume all the way up to remotely hear me. Warning, this scene will probably hook you in!
The author Sara Creasy thought I looked quite spiffy!
Tags: romance, science fiction, young adult
I’m surprised by the Paranormal YA, as I’ve been hearing a lot of agents are quite picky with accepting a book in that genre, but I’m sure it’s really good and that never goes out of style. But other than that, I’m not really surprised. Fantasy always seems to be hot. And I’m not complaining about that.
Thanks for the information! It’s always nice to hear what’s getting accepted.
You recently sent me a form rejection. It was one of only two I got. I had an offer by the end of the week.
So I forgive you :).
I like how anonymous is…well, anonymous. 😉 Why bother leaving a comment if you’re not going to sign your name?! 😀
Anyway…it’s interesting to see the breakdown, thanks for sharing!
Unfortunately, the volume on my computer wouldn’t go high enough to hear you, but you did look spiffy. 🙂
I noticed none of those fulls were YA apocalyptic, so I’m hoping that’s still an area of interest for editors. Thanks for the list–it’s always interesting to see what agents are signing.
It is nice to see whats being accepted right now. I’m at the beginning of starting my second novel which is adult science fiction.
Thanks for the knowledge!
The signing of a sci-fi makes me happy. The one I’ve got making the query rounds is a YA sci-fi. 🙂
Great information, as always. And, yes, “spiffy!”
You know what? Every day when I launch my Google Reader, I can’t wait to see if there’s a brand spankin new post from PubRants! I’m totally hooked!
Just sayin.
You do look extremely spiffy!
Thanks for sharing this. It’s helpful to see. I’m working on a MG fantasy that I hope you or Sarah will like. You or Sarah gave me great help on my query letter as part of your Web class.
So it looks like fantasies are in, but I hope you remain interested in YA contemporary and paranormal. My two stories are in that genre. I just hope I can get my revisions done in time. Even if I don’t, your blog is a definite encouragement to all us aspiring writers. Thanks.
I agree with Debra and Marie…definately “Spiffy”. And maybe a second career here for audible books with that feeling in the read! (grin)
Just wondering what the middle-school title that sparked some interest was about…
Like several others, I’m glad to see SF getting requested. I know some people who would feel threatened by that, as if one of their “slots” was taken, but it makes me happy to know it’s being repped, because then it might still be saleable!
I must be somewhat naïve; I did not find the question about what type of manuscripts were in your queue to be that important, curious yes, important no. Does it really matter what is being read right now? Write what is in your heart, what you feel, what is natural to you. Why worry about what everyone else is writing, what agents are reading. Worry about your own words, not the subject matter of someone else’s. A great book is simply that, a great book. It does not matter what genre it is if your story demands attention it will be read. Yes in reality, it may not be published this year or next, but time has a way of identifying the truly wonderful works.
More years ago than I would like to admit, when I was a freshman in college, every paper I wrote was returned with a magnitude of red lines. There was never any positive feedback written, only negative. Nothing I wrote met with my professor’s approval. Her constant complaint, I wrote ‘like I spoke’. Searching to find some redeeming qualities in my writing, I would allow my compositions to be read by other professors, they loved my papers. After receiving a C on my midterm, I called my grandmother to vent my frustrations. I have always remembered her words of wisdom; never change your own voice, it’s what makes every writer unique. The words and style in which you write should always reflect who you are, not who someone would like you to be. I survived freshman English composition with a B. My sophomore year, I laughed when I read the comments written across the top of my first paper, “What a wonderful breath of fresh air in a sea of mediocrity.” Unlike my freshman professor, my new professor loved my writing style.
What we write may not be loved or appreciated by every agent we submit it to but eventually great writing finds an audience. Beautiful words, a well written story will always find a home.
FYI what’s playing on my iPod right now, “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen.
Nice article, thanks for the information.
Very helpful to know what’s “hot” in your corner of the world…helps us writers cater to the market.
This is my second rejection also, but ya’ll put it very nicely and it seems that each time I have been rejected has made me more determined. Must learn to write a better query and read all of the directions. Thank you for not saying just how bad the query was 🙂 and I look forward to your rants.
You rejected me, but you did it nicely by not telling me just how bad my query was. Thank you. I love reading your rants for it does give me a better idea of what I am doing and what others like me are doing.
Out of curiosity, are those YA fantasies “high” fantasy? Or more like modern-day/urban fantasy?
The reason it can be helpful to know what an agent is looking for is simply for that, to know what agents are looking for what. I can’t tell you how many agents I have sent work to and they posted on their site this is the genre they like… But at the time I happned to query they would respond with, at this time im really looking for a nonfiction or I am really looking to get into commercial fiction, so I have to decline.
I find it extremely beneficial when I do a round of queries to read each agents blog and look to see what they are interested in this month. Why waste your time and theres if they don’t want what your selling? I dont like adding a form rejection to my list when the work is good and a certain agent at the time just wants something else.
why do agents change what they want? Because if you read 500 steampunk books in a row, you really want an urban fantasy after a while.
And no, these days I don’t query at all unless I can reserch the agent that thuroughly. I used to just go by whatever was listed on a site, but those are not updated nearly often enough and many times not thuroughly enough.
Thank you Jaelynn I am new to this “game”. I am what you might call a writer by accident. I appreciate you passing on your knowledge. Thank you!
It’s interesting to hear someone’s voice after reading many blog enteries. Somehow your voice is much more different than I imagined. I’ve watched many authors read material on Book TV on CSPAN and I know it can’t be easy, especially while a camera is rolling. I can’t say I was hooked by the section but it’s hard to say if that was because of the content or the monotone reading. But like I said, know it’s not easy.