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From: Marc Aronson <75664.3110>
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 18:22:22 -0400
When we published Hans Magnus Enzensberger's The Number Devil we spent a long time trying to decide what category it belonged in, adult or BYR. In some countries it was published as adult, in some as for young readers. Our thinking was based on where it would get most attention. Of course we intended to bring it to the attention of stores that sell to both kinds of readers, but who should get the review copies -- the kids reviewer or the adult; LJ or SLJ? We have two totally distinct sales forces, one for each kind of store, who should sell it? Or both? But what, then, in the case of a general interest store?
To this day it remains a bit of a muddle. I edited the translation out of our young readers division, but the imprint on the book is Metropolitan, an adult division.
This is a case of a book written for younger readers but also of interest to adults. I think it got more attention as an adult book -- for example a review in the L.A. Times -- and better placement in chain bookstores. But I think it got more consistent attention in the young readers world.
In the end, we did our best to reach both kinds of readers, each through the reviews and displays that would work best for that group.
Marc Aronson
Received on Thu 10 Jun 1999 05:22:22 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 18:22:22 -0400
When we published Hans Magnus Enzensberger's The Number Devil we spent a long time trying to decide what category it belonged in, adult or BYR. In some countries it was published as adult, in some as for young readers. Our thinking was based on where it would get most attention. Of course we intended to bring it to the attention of stores that sell to both kinds of readers, but who should get the review copies -- the kids reviewer or the adult; LJ or SLJ? We have two totally distinct sales forces, one for each kind of store, who should sell it? Or both? But what, then, in the case of a general interest store?
To this day it remains a bit of a muddle. I edited the translation out of our young readers division, but the imprint on the book is Metropolitan, an adult division.
This is a case of a book written for younger readers but also of interest to adults. I think it got more attention as an adult book -- for example a review in the L.A. Times -- and better placement in chain bookstores. But I think it got more consistent attention in the young readers world.
In the end, we did our best to reach both kinds of readers, each through the reviews and displays that would work best for that group.
Marc Aronson
Received on Thu 10 Jun 1999 05:22:22 PM CDT
