I think any uptick in realism in MG is heartening. We know children are reading less and I also think MG readers have plenty enough monsters/superheroes bleeding through from the 7-9 age group (Marvel, Star Wars etc) so MG should be time for something with a little more real world complexity. My view as a parent of pre-teen boys.
Really good insight. And agree with you that it is heartening to see Middle Grade may be getting some love. We need some good stories for those folks rather than forcing them to read up.
I love the idea of a tween section in bookstores. My daughter is definitely tween. The 9-12 section is filled either with books that are too dense or too childish, & in the YA section, even though it offers great graphic novels which help to bridge this gap, this issues are just too grown up.
I can totally see this! There has been HUGE demand for this section in the bookstore! It’s been both wonderful and frustrating (because it isn’t yet done consistently). I really hope more shops follow suit… worth suggesting to your local if you have one…
It’s not an independent book store, but I could try and open a discussion. I haven’t even plucked up the courage to make them aware they are selling my stories 😂 I need to work on this.
Any idea what you'll be looking for in January? Or when you might be open to adult historical fiction by a woman-not-of-color but of-a-certain-age, LOL?
This is great info, thank you! I am an agented, unpublished MG author. Being on sub has been ROUGH. I’m hoping MG makes a comeback for all the young readers out there. And tween readers have fallen into a marketing gap. Hopefully the publishing industry responds and fills the void! 🙂
Thanks for your input on MG. It's what I write, and love to read. Also, I love hearing about your query stats. I'm agented so it's not that I'm going to try to get you to read my work, but gives me a sense of wonder that I was able to get an agent. Holy cow, there are so many people and books to choose from!
I think any uptick in realism in MG is heartening. We know children are reading less and I also think MG readers have plenty enough monsters/superheroes bleeding through from the 7-9 age group (Marvel, Star Wars etc) so MG should be time for something with a little more real world complexity. My view as a parent of pre-teen boys.
I agree - I like that I'm seeing more of this!
There are some really interesting insights into MG trends here - thanks for sharing Kesia.
Really good insight. And agree with you that it is heartening to see Middle Grade may be getting some love. We need some good stories for those folks rather than forcing them to read up.
I'm with you on that! Thank you, Don. :)
I love the idea of a tween section in bookstores. My daughter is definitely tween. The 9-12 section is filled either with books that are too dense or too childish, & in the YA section, even though it offers great graphic novels which help to bridge this gap, this issues are just too grown up.
I can totally see this! There has been HUGE demand for this section in the bookstore! It’s been both wonderful and frustrating (because it isn’t yet done consistently). I really hope more shops follow suit… worth suggesting to your local if you have one…
It’s not an independent book store, but I could try and open a discussion. I haven’t even plucked up the courage to make them aware they are selling my stories 😂 I need to work on this.
Any idea what you'll be looking for in January? Or when you might be open to adult historical fiction by a woman-not-of-color but of-a-certain-age, LOL?
I am considering opening to adult fiction (including historical) in January (20th-27th) - tbc!!
Thanks for another interesting newsletter! As an MG author that's so encouraging to hear, and I really appreciate the positive Friday vibes. 😊 Thanks!
So interesting! Really hope you'll be doing a 'Tween' submission but I know its still a bit of a hard sell!
I would definitely be up for a tween submission period at some point - maybe February... :)
This is great info, thank you! I am an agented, unpublished MG author. Being on sub has been ROUGH. I’m hoping MG makes a comeback for all the young readers out there. And tween readers have fallen into a marketing gap. Hopefully the publishing industry responds and fills the void! 🙂
Thanks for your input on MG. It's what I write, and love to read. Also, I love hearing about your query stats. I'm agented so it's not that I'm going to try to get you to read my work, but gives me a sense of wonder that I was able to get an agent. Holy cow, there are so many people and books to choose from!