From: Norma Jean <nsawicki>
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2005 10:56:08 -0500

While I appreciate the various themes people would like to see explored in YA literature, terrific novels are written from the inside in, not the outside in. Meaning, until terrific writers have a deep desire to write a certain book, those books will not exist...novels that are deeply felt come from the writer, not the publisher. In my experience, those novels will come...not as quickly as one might hope but writers reflect the society in which we live, and in different parts of the country, there are undoubtedly writers who are influenced/ preoccupied by the mores and concerns of society today and are quietly at work. As far as publishers are concerned, many can be nay sayers until a manuscript is read. A publisher may say...we are not interested in books about color for preschoolers and one comes along that is inventive/fresh and is snapped up immediately. Different but similar to themes that may be explored in YA literature. I know several editors who would not be frightened by publishing a novel that is/may be regarded as a risk...publication would depend on the execution, not the theme. Keep the faith...it will happen. Norma Jean
Received on Wed 29 Jun 2005 10:56:08 AM CDT