Ahead of the Curve
A friend of mine and I were discussing via email the fact that a couple of agents have recently said the saturation point has been reached with YAs having paranormal elements as far as submissions. So unless you've got something audacious and different . . . not a good time. The reason is, of course, like everything in publishing, when writers see what's "hot"--the next trend--suddenly there's a crush of writers either trying that trend in the hopes of getting published, or polishing off a manuscript that's been on mothballs because the trend WASN'T hot for a long time and now is the time to sell it. I am just now, two years after the death knell of chick lit, working on one romantic comedy I have.
What's the next hot thing? I don't have a crystal ball. If I did, really, would I have dated _______? (Fill in the blank with nearly ALL my romantic relationships.) What should you do if writing something that's now on the way out? Well . . . here's my list of things to keep in mind:
- Write what you are passionate about. If you planned to write a book about a werewolf teen who wants to go to the prom because you thought this would be your chance to get a foot in the door (which really? a prom-going werewolf?) versus this was the book you felt you were DESTINED to write, then watching trends is something to do. But if you write because you are passionate for a book, it means you might have to exhibit more patience when it's time to submit, but you likely won't have a choice. It's the book you HAD to write.
- Know the curve runs 18 months in lag time. Between contract negotiations and time to publication, unless you slip in the door in the "buzz" time as a trend is building or the first six months of a trend, you will likely start submitting at a peak time (heavier competition) or worse, tail end. Trend watchers know publishing's curve has a timetable.
- Know that every trend STILL publishes books after the trend is over. There were still comedies after chick lit's death knell, they just spun them as women's fiction--they grew more sophisticated. Or the went younger for the late-YA crowd. If you LOVE what you write, then you can play around and still find a home. Not so, I don't think, for the trend-chasing books, which for some reason, start to feel cookie-cutterish.
- You can always wait for the next time your genre is hot. It happens, and that's the time to start subbing--as the buzz builds.
- Write something else. It's tough love, but this biz can be a heartbreaker. In my heart, I love writing comedies. I'd do stand-up if I didn't have stage fright. Did it suck that my favorite comedy I ever wrote (proposal) didn't sell because editors said "There is no way to dress this up and not call it chick lit"? Yeah. So I wrote--and sold--something else. Fortunately for me, I do like writing all kinds of books. But, like rejection for ANY reason, it does you no good to bemoan the end of a trend. Write something else.
Any other tidbits? How do you feel about staying ahead of the curve?
33 comments:
I think, particularly in fiction, it's damn near impossible to predict the curve and stay on it. Not impossible, clearly, given the number of Da Vinci Clones there were, but if it's bad to write something you love on spec and have it rejected, imagine how you'll feel about spending all that time writing something you feel indifferent about and then having it rejected with a, "It's too familiar." That would suck.
Mark:
I agree. Pub Rants had this comment this week:
"And second, publishing is often about timing. For example, if you are currently a writer of young adult or middle grade fiction and you have a paranormal element (read: vampire, werewolf, witch or what have you), you might be stymied by the timing of putting said project on submission right now."
I've been good at spotting curves, and even being at a peak of one or two, but I've also loved writing things and known there was little chance of it seeing the light of day.
E
I get nervous because I feel like my wip is going to be a trend - or if not a trend, a timely topic - and I battle between wanting to make it the best I can and getting it out there while it's ahead of the curve.
Since finishing the first draft, I've discovered two books by established authors that are closely related to mine, but I'm forcing myself to improving it, rather than rushing.
Melanie:
I hear you . . . and that also is so difficult--the difference between a big name writing a sotry and someone new. It's almost like this automatic assumption that they had the idea "first.'
E
I don't write to trends, don't even think much about them when an idea strikes... it's after multiple revisions that I realized exactly how 'done' fairies were, because I read a number of newer ones at that point (after it wouldn't influence my own writing). The odd thing was, mine was too different to even go the route of approaching those authors' agents with something along the lines of, "I noticed your represent xyz and my book is similar..."
I wouldn't have stopped and said, nope, no fairies... let's try witches, they're just getting hot. I didn't intend to write fairies in the first place. The story fell into my head, and then fleshed itself out without my permission. There wasn't a choice, really.
Current WIP is not a trend. I started looking around, even though I'm on my rough draft, just to see who's out there that's similar... I'm not finding it... maybe I'm not looking in the right place. The closest thing I can compare it to is SE Hinton, except more current and with a lot more humor.
I think you write what you love and take the shot that you'll find a market for it.
I'm wondering if the YA paranormals being submitted right now are more or less Twilight clones, trying to jump on that bandwagon. The werewolf book I'm writing has a teen protagonist, but it's way, way edgier. I want my guy to be a bloodthirsty beast, the way werewolves were meant to be. :)
I bemoan them as a reader. I have zero interest in writing chick lit, but I love reading it--the good stuff. And I feel like lots of people just decided it wasn't "cool," and pretty soon they took it all away from me. If they hadn't given it such a stupid name and saturated the bookstores with sub-par stuff... well, I can only hope. The stuff that was rising to the top was great stuff, but it's true: there was a LOT of stuff to rise above.
Just like that Harlequin thing... Bombshell? Grrrrr. What were they thinking giving a whole line such an insulting name? Maybe that's cool in NY, but the Midwest buys books too.
As a reader, I'm bitter. They keep taking all my favorite books away because of these stupid trends.
I seem to be writing a vampire opera novel. *shakes head at my stupidity* There's still hope: you reminded me of Alias and I'm guzzling down the whole series again.
My CP just wrote a vampire book. It's the book of her heart -- right now, at least -- so she had to do it. My favorite book, a women's fiction, was my last one, and that one missed the trend. Darn it.
I switched to a different genre, light paranormal, but it has an angle no one else has taken (I hope). No were-creatures, no vamps, no fairies. It's fun for me to write, so it's all good.
Not interested in trends. I write what I love to read - that's the reason I write. Of course, I'm actively seeking representation, but I'm not going to write something simply because it's "the next thing on the horizon." There are plenty of writers who write for those reasons, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. In fact, it's unquestionably smart. I'm just not one of those writers. Again, I write what I love to read.
Hi Merry:
I think ignoring all genres completely can be difficult (i.e., so hard to 'sell" it in terms of marketing). But I think if that's someone's passion, then . . . you know, it's going to show in the story.
E
Jude:
I sincerely don't think they are all Twilight clones. If you think that, then my guess is you're not reading a lot of the other paranormal stuff out there. I think what happened is that book and others like it opened a floodgate--werewolfs, shapeshifters, psychics (Evermore by Alyson Noel, which was #1 at NY Times for three weeks--she comes by here often), ghost hunters--you name it. Writers who are passionate for paranormals saw the opportunity to submit.
E
Bad timing for me that my story is trendish and the trend is ending. However, it's enough off the trend mark that it might squeak by. I don't know and I don't care at the moment as it's not up to me to decide if it's publishable. It is up to me to write the darn thing and polish it. The practice will do me good.
Hi Spy:
You and me both. For readers AND writers these things are frustrating.
E
edie:
Women's fiction will always be around. But I am glad you spread your wings and tried something new, as well!
E
Hi Debra:
I think anyone who has that attitude tempered with realism is in good shape.
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Sarah:
Sometimes I think trendwatching is difficult for published writers because we know . . . don't publish = starve (in a manner of speaking). So I trend watch, but always (ALWAYS!) with the idea of finding the trend that matches what I've already got on my computer. I'm pretty prolific, in that sense.
E
The ones I've read are pretty watered-down. I want to write a true horror book.
Any suggestions for reading in that vein (YA)? Anybody?
I've been sick over this for a few days. Do I press forward with my paranormal YA or put it on hold and cook up something else?
Gah!
Jude:
http://www.amazon.com/Demonata-Lord-Loss-Book/dp/0316012335/ref=tag_tdp_gamw_edpp_ttl
And that's different too. You described it as a paranormal--but you really intend to write horror. Different beast entirely.
E
Heather:
I read just a SNIPPET of your book when you posted something online. The writing was SO beautiful. I think write what you feel drawn to and don't let the genre paralyze you with what's hot or not.
E
I've actually read that Darren Shan book. Liked it!
If a horror book has ghosts or vampires or werewolves in it, doesn't that make it paranormal?
Or does "paranormal" carry the connotation of more romance elements?
Jude;
Stephen King's books have paranormal elements. But stating something is "horror" distances yourself from lighter or romantic fare. It also carries with it very specific expectations in terms of audience. Horror is read more by boys. It also has a more graphic level of violence or gore.
E
Jude,
The big news last cycle was Scholastic's acquisition of Maggie Stiefvater's werewolf novel in a six-way, multiple round auction. The book is called Shiver. It's not a Twilight knock-off (nor are the werewolves bad guys). But it is about a girl who falls in love with a boy who's a werewolf. The book is scheduled to be released this August. You can check out Maggie at m-stiefvater.livejournal.com. She's also a really good blogger ...
Incidentally, she also sold a faerie series to Flux that's midway through publication.
Thanks, Jon. I'll check it out.
Supernatural horror.
That's the genre I'm thinking of, I think. Not "paranormal."
I'd like to think the trend I follow is one of producing something well-written. Not that something out-of-touch will be published, but honing one's craft is always in style. That way if the next big thing in publishing meshes with your next big book - it will truly be fabulous. I read what I write and also what I don't write. It helps integrate different literary levels into one work. Light, followed by insightful, witty, coupled with wise. At least that's what I hope. What I've learned is that as I learn and write more and more - my writing improves. And I'm so grateful for that, it almost (almost!) makes up for all the uncertainty.
My WIP fits in no trend I've found and it can be marketed in a variety of ways.
I believe my urban fantasy series could fit the bill nicely with a fading trend: it's urban fantasy, but it's 3rd person, multiple protagonist, mostly males and written more in the style of epic fantasy (not in length, but in scope.)
Some of it just happened accidentally; some of it I plan and specifically market that way.
Lurker:
Love that title. Shiver. Awesome.
Amy:
Well-written is ALWAYS "in." :-)
E
Hi Sex:
I like being a little outside the box myself. Not quite women's fiction, not outright comedy. Playing with something now that . . . could be decribed in a number of ways.
E
I've always seemed to be ahead of the trends, but can never quite break in. So, I've decided to stop paying attention to them and write the kind of stories I'd like to read. My sanity appreciates me for it. The only problem with that is I have a feeling some of my ideas are so far "out of the box" that nobody wants to take chance with them. Go figure. *shrug*
marcia:
I think this is one of those personal decisions--you clearly have found what you LOVE to write!
E
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