DREAMS IN A DRAGON'S HOUSE feedback

[jasonandrew]

I finally recieved feedback on my DREAMS IN A DRAGON'S HOUSE query.

I'm told at 73,000 words, it is a bit long for standard YA. By adding 7,000 words, DREAMS IN A DRAGON'S HOUSE could be marketed as urban fantasy. That is something to seriously consider. I think I know of two scenes that could be extended to make it to that point, but I was worried about going over the word count for YA.

I obviously have a little more work to do on this.

Comments

[sasjhwa.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you could add those 7K words and offer them as an option, having both the short and the extended versions available for review.

[m-stiefvater.livejournal.com]

I think whoever told you 73K was long for a YA was smoking interesting shrooms. My YA editor says that 75K is pretty standard length for a YA and that was what I shot for when I wrote my novel. When it went over by 4K words, he shrugged and said, "They're all good, we're keeping them."

The way the subject matter defines whether it's YA, not the length. If it's long for YA but good, it won't be a rejection, it'll be an edit letter.

What part of the book store do you imagine it being shelved in?

[highway-west.livejournal.com]

I picture DREAMS IN A DRAGON'S HOUSE being shelved next to the Spiderwick Chronicles, Harry Potter, and the Uglies series.

[m-stiefvater.livejournal.com]

Then I would definitely not try and pitch it as general UF -- at 73K words you're sooo within the word range. I'd definitely just try another agent/ editor.

[highway-west.livejournal.com]

That is something I'm also doing. :)

I'm having a hard time figuring out who does straight YA and who does YA fantasy.

If you have any recommendations, let me know.

[m-stiefvater.livejournal.com]

e-mail me if you like, since I just finished my agent hunt and did a ton of research (maggiestiefvater At gmail dot com). But what surprised me was how many straight YAs actually also did fantasy but didn't advertise that fact.

[highway-west.livejournal.com]

E-mailed!

Do you recommend going through agents or trying to send to editors?

[m-stiefvater.livejournal.com]

Well, I sold my first one without an agent, but it would've made my life easier if I'd had my agent already. The fact of the matter though was that the stars just aligned for that first sale.

[highway-west.livejournal.com]

Hi,

I emailed you, but it might have hit your spam filter.

My email is jasonbandrew@yahoo.com if you want to send your list direct. :)

[m-stiefvater.livejournal.com]

Huh! I e-mailed you back yesterday, a huge stinkin' long one! Check your spam filter too maybe? And I'll check mine to make sure it went out.

[highway-west.livejournal.com]

doh! I just looked and didn't see it.

[christinenorris.livejournal.com]

I agree with the other commenter who said they were smoking. Remind that person that the FIRST Harry Potter book was 85,000 words, and meant for an age range younger than YA.

In fantasy, you can get away with many more words. My MG books usually run around 65 now, although my first one was 50K. For YA, you can do many more words, and I'd say 75K is just about right in this market.