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The barriers to writing quality NF
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From: Heather Montgomery <sipsey21_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:34:27 +0000
I feel that we are lacking in-depth, quality NF for middle grade and YA. Yes there are some good books available for those audiences, but the quantity and diversity is limited (for example, where are the great snake books for the eighth grade reader?). As was mentioned earlier on this list, we need "gateway" books to adult nonfiction. This discussion has brought up many of the reasons for this (format, mothers as gatekeepers of "real" books, male versus female authors, etc.) with which I agree. Kelly brought up a good point about resistance from editors. I've, too, have experienced their aversion to topics boys and girls of this age have requested of me. One of the barriers is that in order to produce such books with passion/enthusiasm (good point Megan) you must also have an editor who is passionate about the book. Most editors are not attracted to these topics and don't see their potential or think they will only sell to the picture book market or photo-driven format. Lee's comment about the economic realities for authors points to a huge barrier. A nonfiction author can opt to write for the educational market, which can mean a more steady yet very modest income. But in the educational market, the passion/creativity/time/financial support required to write a stellar book is rare. As Kelly indicated, to write those fabulous books takes years of research and writing. When writing for the trade market, an author makes a gamble on their investment of time and energy. From my perspective, this may be one of the great limiting factors. Heather Heather L. Montgomerywww.HeatherLMontgomery.comNature Books for Kids 256-426-5871
Wild Discoveries: Wacky New Animals (Scholastic, 2013)
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Received on Fri 06 Jun 2014 09:35:05 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:34:27 +0000
I feel that we are lacking in-depth, quality NF for middle grade and YA. Yes there are some good books available for those audiences, but the quantity and diversity is limited (for example, where are the great snake books for the eighth grade reader?). As was mentioned earlier on this list, we need "gateway" books to adult nonfiction. This discussion has brought up many of the reasons for this (format, mothers as gatekeepers of "real" books, male versus female authors, etc.) with which I agree. Kelly brought up a good point about resistance from editors. I've, too, have experienced their aversion to topics boys and girls of this age have requested of me. One of the barriers is that in order to produce such books with passion/enthusiasm (good point Megan) you must also have an editor who is passionate about the book. Most editors are not attracted to these topics and don't see their potential or think they will only sell to the picture book market or photo-driven format. Lee's comment about the economic realities for authors points to a huge barrier. A nonfiction author can opt to write for the educational market, which can mean a more steady yet very modest income. But in the educational market, the passion/creativity/time/financial support required to write a stellar book is rare. As Kelly indicated, to write those fabulous books takes years of research and writing. When writing for the trade market, an author makes a gamble on their investment of time and energy. From my perspective, this may be one of the great limiting factors. Heather Heather L. Montgomerywww.HeatherLMontgomery.comNature Books for Kids 256-426-5871
Wild Discoveries: Wacky New Animals (Scholastic, 2013)
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Received on Fri 06 Jun 2014 09:35:05 AM CDT
