Sci-fi for the teenage market

[moga83]

Hi does anyone know where I can find info on agents and publishers that deal with science fiction for the teenage market?
Thanks!

[Scarlett Eclipse]

Hey

I actually have no idea but I'm actually asking the same question...so if you hear anything please send me a little message...if it's not asking too much or if I hear anything I'll give a shout your way, too. The only problem might be publishers and location.

[Xwing Mom]

Your best bet is to check a copy of Writer's Market and look for young adult. I don't think I've ever seen it broken down quite that specifically.

Usually, they just list YA markets or Sci Fi. Query letters work well.

Good luck!

[John Jarrold]

Yes, check in as many places as possible, including the Writers and Artists Yearbook - which has a specialist Children's edition. I have decided not to deal with YA or Children's SF and Fantasy authors, because it's a very different market from the adult market.

[TheEndIsNigh]

Originally Posted by moga83

Hi does anyone know where I can find info on agents and publishers that deal with science fiction for the teenage market?
Thanks!

What makes SFF suitable for the teenage market exactly.
I was reading from the age of about 11 when I found the SF section in the library. Ok extreme S&V may not have been prevalent in those days (And good SFF dosen't necessarily need it). Apart from that what are you worried about exposing them to. Challenging concepts? I would have thought if you deliberately aim at a young market you'll not only miss an oportunity you'll place unnecessary contraints on yourself. Still

[John Jarrold]

You'll find that YA and Children's publishers will decide what suits them and their market, as opposed to the adult market. They are different, as I found both publishing SFF for adult imprints and dealing with each area as an agent.

I don't see writing for the teenage market as constraining...it can be a diifferent skill, and it depends what the individual author wants to do.

[Anatedhrai]

Anyone interested in writing for children's and YA markets should certainly read as many current examples of it as they can - but that goes without saying.

Once you get to the older end of YA, 13 or 14 plus say, there is very little difference in content between those and adult novels. Melvin Burgess's novels (some of which are SF are fantasy) go as far as you probably need to go with regards to sexual content. Violence and gore? Horror has been a bigger market in YA than it has for adults for many years. A challenging read? Try Alan Garner's Red Shift - it's a far more demanding (though rewarding) novel than many published for adults.

The main definition of a YA seems to be: a central character in his or her teens, and themes relevant to that age group (such as coming of age).

For a writer, other advantages include the ability to switch genres if you wish - the YA or teenage shelf in any bookshop will have SF, fantasy, horror, historical fiction and contemporary realism next to each other, and the readers don't object. (Do we get narrower-minded in our reading tastes as we get older?) There's also no obligation to produce 100,000 words plus as there is for adult SF/F. If your story is best told between 40,000 and 60,000 words, then that is not a commercial drawback. (Having said that, there are plenty of YAs over 100,000 words too.)

[moga83]

Originally Posted by TheEndIsNigh

What makes SFF suitable for the teenage market exactly.

Well, I was just told that since my protagonist is a 17-year-old, my story would probably be best suited for the teenage/ YA market.

Thanks for all the advice!

[John Jarrold]

Best of luck!

That isn't always the case, of course - Tad Williams' DRAGONBONE CHAIR and its sequels have a teenage protagonist for instance and they were published as adult fantasy (as were others), but go for it!

[moga83]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

Best of luck!

That isn't always the case, of course - Tad Williams' DRAGONBONE CHAIR and its sequels have a teenage protagonist for instance and they were published as adult fantasy (as were others), but go for it!

Thanks!

I guess it will be up to others to categorize my novel when I'm done with it. I hope to write a story that both teenagers and adults will enjoy though.

[indigotwilight]

I'm interested in this too. Is the boundary between "Young Adult" and "Adult" fantasy that well defined? Knowing from personal experience I read material from both genres, and there's often quite a lot of overlap.
YA readers may not necessarily be "young adults" themselves, either. I've also read the likes of George Orwell and Stephen King when I was little...

At the moment I am working on a series that may also fit in the YA catagory. The protagonists, for instance, are all in their teens, and there are a number of aspects that have given the series a natural leaning towards the YA market.

Book lengths are a different issue though. K.T. (book one) is 92k words, and I am planning to extend it given the wide discussions on the subject. Book two looks to topple the 130k mark.

Perhaps I should post a few snippets of book one and two for people to judge for themselves?


Twilight

[John Jarrold]

Do post them in the appropriate place on the network - but again, a specific publisher may feel something would work better in the YA area, or in the adult area, so you may need to have that conversation with individual publishers before submission.

[Troo]

YA novels get far more awesome covers!

[indigotwilight]

That is true. I have to admit a good book cover is often the first thing that draws me.

Like always, sound advise on this forum has given me a lot to mull over - perhaps over a glass (or three) of red wine this evening. In an ideal situation I'd need an agent and publisher who's friendly to both genres. I feel it is important to know the likely readership - especially from a marketing point of view.

One of my story characters have just said something which sums it up quite well; "It is no good trying to sell a pint of cider to someone who doesn't like apples." Mind you, this same character is also responsible for the legendary Fish Slapper of Eastleigh and Tomato Pelter of Machylleth...

On a different note, I've often considered the idea of setting up my own publishing group in the future. Maybe after a lot of thorough research and some experience in this industry. One hopes I'll have the opportunity to play a significant role in the marketing of my own novels. I'd want to be there every step of the way; from the moment it lands on an agent's and editor's desk, to the moment a reader picks it up from the shelves.
Right. Now in this hypothetical future I'd need a professional editor, a good marketing team, and an artist who can design eye-catching covers. I'd also need time to write, as well as go through all the submissions one would undoubtable recieve in any publishing business venture - that with juggling university work too.
Maybe I'm wanting to do too much at once. I don't want to do anything that would be detrimental to my writing, for instance. I love writing. The feeling it gives me - that great rollercoaster ride of developing a novel, talking to the various characters like they're real people. And they are - at least to me.


Twi

[TheEndIsNigh]

Originally Posted by indigotwilight

That is true. I have to admit a good book cover is often the first thing that draws me.


...One of my story characters have just said something which sums it up quite well; "It is no good trying to sell a pint of cider to someone who doesn't like apples." Mind you, this same character is also responsible for the legendary Fish Slapper of Eastleigh and Tomato Pelter of Machylleth...

On a different note, I've often considered the idea of setting up my own publishing group in the future. Maybe after a lot of thorough research and some experience in this industry. One hopes I'll have the opportunity to play a significant role in the marketing of my own novels. I'd want to be there every step of the way; from the moment it lands on an agent's and editor's desk, to the moment a reader picks it up from the shelves.
Right. Now in this hypothetical future I'd need a professional editor, a good marketing team, and an artist who can design eye-catching covers. I'd also need time to write, as well as go through all the submissions one would undoubtable recieve in any publishing business venture - that with juggling university work too.
Maybe I'm wanting to do too much at once. I don't want to do anything that would be detrimental to my writing, for instance. I love writing. The feeling it gives me - that great rollercoaster ride of developing a novel, talking to the various characters like they're real people. And they are - at least to me.


Twi

I know what you mean. Since joining this hell hole of a forum I'm commited to finding a cure for world hunger, peace and poverty. The latter is currently on hold as I have to fill my days keeping droves of monkeys happy while I use them to find the secret of eternal life.

The bannana skins will soon be a serious problem and do you know anyone that recycles typewritter ribbons in industrial quantities.

However if I can crack the eternal life I should be able to funnel some of the profits into the poverty program. God only knows when I'm going to get the time to finish the book.

By the way not liking apples dosn't mean you don't like cider. Personally not too keen on chomping on hops but the odd lake of beer has been known to pass my lips.