tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post3668361564886951196..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Query question: things I want in the book--include in query?Janet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-84290293332550801252015-03-04T20:45:20.630-05:002015-03-04T20:45:20.630-05:00Ran across an agent just now who's actively se...Ran across an agent just now who's actively seeking "highly illustrated" novels though not necessarily graphic novels. Thought of our questioner here!<br /><br />http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/rebeccasherman/DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9554637292684012452015-02-26T18:44:36.855-05:002015-02-26T18:44:36.855-05:00Couple days late but... when I hear hybrid I think...Couple days late but... when I hear hybrid I think of things like "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and "Wonderstruck" by Brian Selznick. So, Scholastic at least was willing to go ahead with something like that.<br /><br />Reiterating from above: illustrations are expensiiiive (as hiring a good illustrator should be) which makes me wonder if the querier had somebody in mind, or is hoping the publisher will sort it out.Sam Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12069749673374661798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73145477721598708792015-02-25T14:12:45.357-05:002015-02-25T14:12:45.357-05:00Can I just...
"What purpose do these picture...Can I just...<br /><br />"What purpose do these pictures serve in a novel for adults?"<br /><br />Besides the fact that this is a YA novel and therefore not a novel for adults but for teens... probably the same purpose that pictures in graphic novels serve for adults???Lainahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00134705793566699951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53732162373876007852015-02-25T09:13:13.926-05:002015-02-25T09:13:13.926-05:00Shaun,
Thanks for the insight and for sharing the...Shaun,<br /><br />Thanks for the insight and for sharing the link to your query!<br /><br />Looks like I'll be purchasing a brand new book for my friends birthday. :)<br /><br />Christina and Dena—it's great to see graphic novels open someone up the world of reading isn't it? Thanks for sharing your stories.Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74479036505003698462015-02-25T08:58:48.754-05:002015-02-25T08:58:48.754-05:00This sounds exactly like THE FIVE STAGES OF ANDREW...This sounds exactly like THE FIVE STAGES OF ANDREW BRAWLEY by Shaun Hutchinson. It's a novel with a few comic-book pages in between every second or third chapter. (The MC is wiring a comic that reflects his psychological condition.) I highly recommend reading it to get an idea what you want. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-6274477032008486052015-02-24T16:05:38.921-05:002015-02-24T16:05:38.921-05:00If illustrations are very important, perhaps you c...If illustrations are very important, perhaps you could query it by saying transmedia. Read Chuck Wendig: <br />http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2012/04/17/25-things-you-should-know-about-transmedia-storytelling/angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14147842003115567472015-02-24T15:37:52.334-05:002015-02-24T15:37:52.334-05:00Shaun thanks for the link. Congratulations, I like...Shaun thanks for the link. Congratulations, I like the rule of three.<br /><br />To the writer who asked the question: Graphic novels for adults are a big thing in France. Entire (large) sections of libraries are dedicated to them. There is even a museum dedicated entirely to them. They span from erotic to manga to teen, Asterix.<br /><br />Take Persepolis, it was made into a animated film that respected the book.<br /><br />In graphic novels the illustrations do most of the showing. <br /><br />I don't know much about illustrated novels, especially for adults. <br /><br />If illustrations are important then you might consider agents and publishers beyond North America. <br /><br />A good place to look for illustrators published or not is SCBWI.org. There are local chapters worldwide with very talented artists.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-16001180831411784282015-02-24T13:58:29.165-05:002015-02-24T13:58:29.165-05:00Dang it. BraWley.Dang it. BraWley.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24955019020848861592015-02-24T13:57:04.341-05:002015-02-24T13:57:04.341-05:00Weeeeellll, not that my comments are so important ...Weeeeellll, not that my comments are so important they must be read, but...Adib, just so you know, I mentioned a debut of an illustrated book in my comment above; THE SELECTED WORKS OF T.S.SPIVET, and I'll just reiterate it was involved in a bidding war with TEN publishers. (we can all dream of that happening one day, sigh)<br /><br />Anyway, Shaun H, I just want you to know I read the opening of your book THE FIVE STAGES OF ANDREW BRALEY a few days ago when you commented on another post, (this is why it's important for all of us commenters to have our info out there, cause sometimes we go looking for blogs, etc). I told my husband, if you want to grab a reader this is how you do it:<br /><br />"The boy was on fire."<br /><br />That opening line you wrote is one of the best I've ever read.<br /><br />Congratulations on your success! I didn't realize the book had illustrations, or I would certainly have mentioned it here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64949992089502984102015-02-24T13:34:56.081-05:002015-02-24T13:34:56.081-05:00My expertise here may be a little dated since I ha...My expertise here may be a little dated since I haven't worked as an illustrator for decades but...<br /><br />Just assuming the novel in question is accepted by a publisher who agrees to have it illustrated, I have to point out that the style of illustrations is as much in the author's hands as the cover design. And we all know how much say authors have about that, right?<br /><br />The comments here have all made salient points. There has to be a good reason for a novel to bear illustrations. And no, the author's "vision" for their novel is not a good reason.<br /><br />I'm reminded of an acquaintance who, knowing that I'm an illustration-trained artist, wanted me to illustrate his massive door-stop SF novel. He was super keen on the idea, and sent me piles of pictures depicting each character multiple times, as well as his descriptions of each. (Pictures he had snagged off the internet, but I guess that's not relevant here.) He did not divulge any plot points or scenes to be illustrated despite being asked numerous times. I got the strong impression that he cared more about people "seeing" his characters exactly as he did than about the novel actually working.<br /><br />So, I quoted him my prices, giving him a discount because he was a "family friend", but also suggesting where he might find less-expensive (and hungrier) illustrators. I also gave him a mini-introduction to the expenses of actually printing illustrations. Did I mention he had decided to self-publish because agents and publishers weren't "visionary" enough for him? I haven't heard from him since.<br /><br />Query questioner, I don't think you're delusional like my above acquaintance. I do think you should do more research into illustrated novels. When you know exactly what's already out there, you'll have a better idea where your project fits in. That will give you more leverage sell others on why your novel must be illustrated to work. It will also help you find and target agents who have already sold illustrated novels, making your pitch that much easier.<br /><br />Good luck!Elissa Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727748060605823895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79307447945815980372015-02-24T13:30:29.851-05:002015-02-24T13:30:29.851-05:00Thanks for the insight, Shaun! And congrats : )Thanks for the insight, Shaun! And congrats : )Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00331026594971237758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14257456528896128272015-02-24T13:25:02.877-05:002015-02-24T13:25:02.877-05:00Shaun - What an awesome query, and a fascinating l...Shaun - What an awesome query, and a fascinating look into the way the agent and then editors adapted it. Your book sounds amazing. Congratulations!<br />Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43246393182047235412015-02-24T13:22:29.736-05:002015-02-24T13:22:29.736-05:00Shaun: Very cool and congratulations!Shaun: Very cool and congratulations!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020098449673207930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32033115600308614262015-02-24T13:11:07.802-05:002015-02-24T13:11:07.802-05:00Thanks to Adib for the great recommendations. And ...Thanks to Adib for the great recommendations. And ditto to Jenz. My husband is a graphic designer and runs into this all the time--building images can seem deceptively easy, but it takes quite a few hours of work (especially if you have to start over because someone doesn't like something). My husband also makes signs, and has to ensure the illustration translates to the printer in a way that looks good (which sometimes involves a bit of complicated programming). <br /><br />It's the same kind of thing that writers encounter--fiction writing seems deceptively easy from the outside. But it's like learning a foreign language--it can take years.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47861092100490320012015-02-24T13:08:10.177-05:002015-02-24T13:08:10.177-05:00Like Megan and Dena mentioned, we found graphic no...Like Megan and Dena mentioned, we found graphic novels priceless when trying to teach my oldest son to read (he also had a slight disability). The first book he ever asked for was a manga-themed college level science book, and I almost didn't get it for him because at the time, I had silly opinions about graphic novels (well and plus I thought it was over his head). Thank God I listened to him. We've since learned to love comic books and graphic novels as much as our Jane Austens and Patrick Lee books. So it saddens me to hear that publishers aren’t so keen on them. Personally I would love to see an illustrated YA or NA, even though like Colin part of the joy for me is creating book characters in my head, because not everyone can or likes to do that. If the illustrations play off the story (like if the MC is an illustrator), that would be even better. The OP didn’t mention whether or not she already had an illustrator in mind, though, and also I would love to hear the reasons behind wanting it illustrated. The idea of a hybrid comic/book is really interesting.Christina Seinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411040428007697691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-14793727108965750582015-02-24T13:02:53.963-05:002015-02-24T13:02:53.963-05:00Yay! A question I actually have experience to answ...Yay! A question I actually have experience to answer!<br /><br />So I wrote THE FIVE STAGES OF ANDREW BRAWLEY, which does contain a graphic novel within the novel. In my manuscript, I included the graphic novel as a script because my drawing skills are nonexistent. When I queried for the book, I mentioned the graphic novel elements in the last line. "My book is a contemporary YA novel that incorporates some graphic novel elements." <br /><br />The agent I signed with (the amazing Amy Boggs) was totally on board with the graphic novel elements, but we both knew that when we went on submission that the publishers might be less receptive since they'd have to hire and artist and such, and I prepared myself mentally to redo those sections as prose if a publisher made an offer but didn't want the added burden of doing the graphic novel. <br /><br />Luckily, the editor who acquired my book was enthusiastic about the graphic novel portions of the book, and they did hire an artist to turn my script into a graphic novel. <br /><br />So it can be done. But I think you need to be very clear as to what you're looking for and you need to be very sure that those graphic elements are absolutely vital to the story. If the book can exist without them, an agent or editor is probably not going to want to do them. <br /><br />If you want to read my query for the book, my agent did a breakdown of it over here. http://www.publishing-hub.com/2014/12/considerate-craft-three-stages-of-query.htmlShaun Hutchinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01480241164653893038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8345399910871238102015-02-24T11:36:26.564-05:002015-02-24T11:36:26.564-05:00Depending on the themes explored, the novel could ...Depending on the themes explored, the novel could probably go towards YA or NA.<br /><br />I wonder what the author is holding up as comp titles for the style they're going for. Is it the aforementioned THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN? Is it WINGER? Is it THE FIVE STAGES OF ANDREW BRAWLEY?<br /><br />All three use illustrations in them. WINGER uses a combination of (hilarious) infographics and, occasionally, comic book-style drawings. The tale of Screaming Ned is particularly wonderful.<br /><br />THE FIVE STAGES OF ANDREW BRAWLEY has two or four pages of black and white graphic novel after each chapter, because the main character is working on a comic book - and so the MC's comic book is interwoven with his story. And then the entire epilogue is presented in graphic form.<br /><br />There are plenty of books out there that have used illustrations, but neither WINGER nor THE FIVE STAGES OF ANDREW BRAWLEY were debuts. I don't know about THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN and I can't think of any debuts that have illustrations.<br /><br />That doesn't mean there aren't any, though.Adib Khorramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836332867898941638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56704096324797845042015-02-24T11:05:12.127-05:002015-02-24T11:05:12.127-05:00Thanks Colin--and yes, I believe authors should be...Thanks Colin--and yes, I believe authors should be able to justify every single style choice when it comes to their story! But I don't think that's limited to illustrations. <br /><br />Just because the author's journey to publication will be much harder if the story is truly, honestly best served with illustrations doesn't mean she shouldn't strike out ahead. That's simply part of Being Brave. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00331026594971237758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-67139882276805897022015-02-24T10:59:40.124-05:002015-02-24T10:59:40.124-05:00Actually, researching is what I meant--not contact...Actually, researching is what I meant--not contacting. At least not until the writer has all the pertinent info needed to know whether it's worth pitching to that publisher.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365582623380288038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47664046067503772142015-02-24T10:57:54.372-05:002015-02-24T10:57:54.372-05:00I think the writer is confusing content with style...I think the writer is confusing content with style. It's an illustrated novel, but the style of art would be similar to a graphic novel. <br /><br />I wonder if the writer wouldn't be well-served by contacting a comics book publisher, or suggesting that to an agent once represented. Many comics book publishers do require that the writer already have an artist, but some don't. I think Dark Horse doesn't (I think! Might wanna Google that.) At any rate, might be worth checking out.<br /><br />Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365582623380288038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28152049494722719742015-02-24T10:57:32.115-05:002015-02-24T10:57:32.115-05:00Oh... and for the sake of full disclosure, I loved...Oh... and for the sake of full disclosure, I loved MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs. It's a great story, and it's enhanced by the old (and odd) photos included in the book. Definitely one to own in paper format--the publisher did an exquisite job with it. BUT--it's a great story with or without the pictures. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33760462253311549122015-02-24T10:53:08.884-05:002015-02-24T10:53:08.884-05:00Kelsey: No offense taken--we all have opinions on ...Kelsey: No offense taken--we all have opinions on this, clearly, and we're not all going to agree all the time. In fact, some of the reasons for illustrated novels (even on the adult level) that you and others raise are good and valid. But I will still stand by my original point: the author needs to ask WHY. Be honest and ask: are the illustrations a cop out to writing more vividly, or will they really enhance the reading experience? Given the potential problems faced by trying to get an illustrated novel published, the author needs to be really sure they need to be there, and be willing to fight for them all the way to publication.Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88659408968100809102015-02-24T10:45:50.109-05:002015-02-24T10:45:50.109-05:00I agree that there are ever more options for how w...I agree that there are ever more options for how we read these days, and that it's faulty to imply an author wants illustrations because their writing isn't up to snuff, or that illustrations have no place in novels for adults. (Sorry Colin--please know I still have a ton of respect for your opinions!)<br /><br />I think of a lovely illustrated memoir I read a few years ago called THE MAGICAL LIFE OF LONG TACK SAM by Ann Marie Fleming. I loved it. And that book would not have been the same without the photos and illlustrations. Whether you would love it as much as I did will probably depend on many things, including whether or not illustrations are your cup of tea.<br /><br />However, I also agree illustrations add a whole other level of complexity to getting traditionally published. Best of luck to the author! You might have an uphill battle ahead of you, but Janet's Rules for Writers will help you stay on the right track.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00331026594971237758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-17102642592104378772015-02-24T10:30:23.012-05:002015-02-24T10:30:23.012-05:00Sorry for getting all testy there, but damn, it ge...Sorry for getting all testy there, but damn, it gets old how people think computers do all the work and a trained monkey do what I do. A trained monkey could only do part of what I do.Jenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11652680551107638557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26157637193571576442015-02-24T10:28:32.453-05:002015-02-24T10:28:32.453-05:00I should like this idea--like a few other people s...I should like this idea--like a few other people said, novels with occasional illustrations can be really fun.<br /><br />But, not illustrated by you? Do you know how much it costs to hire a really good illustrator? I mean GOOD, not the $15 an hour scam jobs you'll find via google. We're talking about thousands of dollars.<br /><br />The last time I estimated an illustration job (for one, simple illustration), it was $700. This job could easily go into five figures.<br /><br />This is not a minor expectation. Hiring a good illustrator, plus the extensive extra production costs, are going to put off a lot of publishers, maybe all of them. If you're serious, you'd better be able to back up the reason why you want to do this, and you'd better have clear expectations of what a large request it really is. Otherwise any agent you mention it to is going to see GIANT RED FLAG OF A CLIENT.Jenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11652680551107638557noreply@blogger.com