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?

[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.