tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post7264484718903741485..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Teenage or Child WritersBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2969150189989159862012-02-27T13:23:11.360-05:002012-02-27T13:23:11.360-05:00I get, obviously, that the publishing buissness is...I get, obviously, that the publishing buissness is TOUGH. My current novels and novella are not publish ready, but I'm working on my second or third draft of one of them and it's on it's way. I'm well aqquainted with writing and reading, and have a great amount of budding talent. I live with a father who writes and directs movies, and the difficulty of being turned down time and time again is not unbeknownst to me. I've always thought self publishing wouldn't be a bad idea, but publicity is a problem. I'm not all too interested in the money earning side of it yet, but I feel like writing is what I LIVE for. It doesn't seem fair that I should have to wait, when, and I know this may sound incredibly arrogant, I'm probably as good as quite a few proffesinal authors. Like I said, I realise my work's not publish ready, there's always room for improvement, but I'm getting there. It's on it's way.<br />To those of you who said Kids my age should be concentrating on schoolwork, I think that's completely un-fair! I agree, grades matter, but if writing is your passion, what you lie for, you should be able to do it alongside school. My school's rubbish in the sense that it offers little to no writing opportunities. It's not greatly encouraged. Writing is about thoughts and stories, and when there are such great thoughts, they should be shared, whatever the age of the author!<br />Your gender shouldn't prevent you from living your dream, nor should your age.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17483257622802094732012-01-17T10:17:33.918-05:002012-01-17T10:17:33.918-05:00I have known for a long time I wanted to be an aut...I have known for a long time I wanted to be an author, and I've written several middle grade novels. Now, I am researching agents and getting serious about publishing. For those teens who are willing (like me) to face rejections and the tough publishing world to achieve a dream should know there's a lot of contests and conferences out there that can really get your foot in the door. This article really made my day!!Brooke Taylornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-30253908699662728832011-04-14T00:12:17.982-04:002011-04-14T00:12:17.982-04:00Haha you adults are SO silly. I'm a teen.So wr...Haha you adults are SO silly. I'm a teen.So writing's tough? You think we don't know that? We're the ones writing our books. I'm going to get published. To all you other teens writing out there don't let the eighteen and overs shoot you down. Keep writing and let's worry about a friendly competition amongst ourselves, seeing as the "adults" are too scared to see us as an active writing force.<br /> - Fuimus semper, semper erimus, stabimus semper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-18891194319029479742010-08-01T19:01:25.864-04:002010-08-01T19:01:25.864-04:00I came across this blog entry while doing research...I came across this blog entry while doing research from myself on publishing for teenagers. Unlike some other people who commented before me, I am a 16 year old writer who writes because I love to write! I've dreamed of publishing a book since I was 11 years old, and I have been working on my current "novel" since I was 13. I have edited it already four times (going on my fifth and sixth time). I don't want to publish for fame or money, just so I can share my words to the world. If professional publishing doesn't work out, I might look towards different options (self-publishing or online publishing). I believe I can face the criticisms and the turn downs of work...and hopefully I'll reach those stages. <br /><br />This blog was very helpful for me. Even if I don't publish this year, or next year...I just hope the stories I want to tell will be told.Elaynanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-90044663742811224462010-06-20T18:31:26.153-04:002010-06-20T18:31:26.153-04:00I, as most teenagers, aspire to be great. Whether ...I, as most teenagers, aspire to be great. Whether that greatness is achieved via athletics, academics or popularity it is greatness none the less. Greatness can either be recognition by many or recognition by few. <br />Other people have posted that publishing is bad for teenagers to that we should focus on academics and live our life. If teenagers focus solely on academics, then where is the joy in their life? What if living our life is writing and publishing a book? <br />No matter what you do, enjoy it. If your joy is writing, as is mine, then do it. And, if lucky enough to be published, take the plunge and take on the experience. It is your life to live and you only have one to do so. Enjoy it while you can.Mackenzienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-10155790768879956302010-01-02T21:23:15.425-05:002010-01-02T21:23:15.425-05:00Hi Ms. Faust!
Is there anything not listed on yo...Hi Ms. Faust! <br /><br />Is there anything not listed on your website that I should know before querying you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-30285667705135060162009-06-25T14:14:33.526-04:002009-06-25T14:14:33.526-04:00Now see, I'm 15, have written my first fantasy...Now see, I'm 15, have written my first fantasy novel (Over 55,000 words) and am currently working on the second instalment of my trilogy. I've sent queries to several agents in an attempt to get my feet wet in the world of publishing. Needless to say, I still have a long way to go and I can personally tell you that rejection stinks worse than forgotten gym-socks in a cramped locker over summer but it's part of life. I've been in-love with words since before I can remember and that's why I write, not because I want to be a famous author or because I want to have money because more than likely, that will never happen because it has happened to very few. I write because I want to give someone a love of reading like so many amazing authors have done for me. <br />My dad has always been an avid reader and maybe that's where I get it from but he and my mom never pushed me into writing. Nor have they ever researched agents or publishers or writing camps. I've been told since I was ten that if I wanted to be a published author, I'm going to have to be the one to do the work. I'm am so grateful they did this because if they hadn't, I don't think my love of writing would have grown as much as it has. If I didn't love writing, I wouldn't have writen my book and become so in-tune with my wonderful characters and they're world, I wouldn't have been able to stomache the rejections knowing that my time will come one day as long as I never give up on my dream. I wouldn't have won two national writing contests that finally confirmed to me the belief that I can write and I would be persuing a career that wouldn't be anywhere near as fufilling and fun as this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-59247674679818821612009-05-06T17:57:00.000-04:002009-05-06T17:57:00.000-04:00Thanks for this post, it was very encouraging.
I ...Thanks for this post, it was very encouraging.<br /><br />I strongly disagree with the majority of the comments posted here. I'm not sure why people seem to think that all teenagers are naive and 'in it for the money' - there are those out there who <I>do</I> know how to research, <I>do</I> know how to handle rejections from agents, <I>do</I> know how to juggle writing with exams, school and their social lives.<br /><br />It really isn't hard. College from 7am to 5pm and writing from any time between 6pm and 2am. Squish your social life in there somewhere (weekends are good) and revise for the odd hour a week. See? Simple.<br /><br />I finished the first draft of my novel (around 70,000 words) in five months - and that is with college and my job included. I didn't lock myself away in my room either; I see my friends plenty and I <I>am</I> enjoying my 'teen years'.<br /><br />I'm not writing for fame or for money. I write because I enjoy it. I would love to see my novel on the shelf of a bookstore - purely for satisfaction. So I can say that I managed to accomplish something that I've always wanted to do; stuck with it 'til the end - I know too many adults who say "I wish I'd done...".<br /><br />Life's too short! Live for the present - do what you enjoy. If what you enjoy is writing, then go for it. I don't see how age should affect that.Kerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00060413176999425460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-83152051220542384262009-05-02T05:57:00.000-04:002009-05-02T05:57:00.000-04:00I want to reply to Anonymous...
"Personally, I th...I want to reply to Anonymous...<br /><br />"Personally, I think teens/kids should just enjoy school and friends instead of trying to get published. You have your whole life to get a published book out, why pressure yourself to become a published author by age 18?<br /><br />I think they do it because they want to become famous as soon as possible, or think they'll get fame. And that isn't the point of creative writing, or at least shouldn't be."<br /><br />I would just like to point out that this is a complete generalisation. I'm sure many teens write because they want to become famous, just as many adults write because they want to become famous.<br /><br />But, just like many adults write because they love writing, many teens write because they love writing.<br /><br />Irregardless of age, there will always be some who write for pleasure, some who write for fame and some who write for both. Suggesting that teenagers all write for fame is a gross and unfair generalisation. Motivations for writing depend on people and their personalities, not the number of years they have been alive.Poppynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-90939922157453451252009-05-02T03:02:00.000-04:002009-05-02T03:02:00.000-04:00I recently turned seventeen and have completed sev...I recently turned seventeen and have completed seven manuscripts, each averaging 80k words, and I am currently working on one I hope to query for this summer. <br /><br />I agree, Jessica, with everything you've mentioned--I used to think that age mattered, but I've learned it doesn't. It is ALL about the story and the writing. <br /><br />I see people posting about being "ready" for the market and the business, but I think that's just a quick way to crush the dreams of many young writers, maybe a handful of which will /ever/ get published.<br /><br />Most of these young writers have found their passion <I>now</I> and they're lucky to have done so. It's unfair for adults to discourage the learning process...especially if we enjoy it.<br /><br />Thanks for the insightful post!Weronika Janczukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02578288655500573458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-56212372886219347312009-05-01T15:36:00.000-04:002009-05-01T15:36:00.000-04:00Personally, I think teens/kids should just enjoy s...Personally, I think teens/kids should just enjoy school and friends instead of trying to get published. You have your whole life to get a published book out, why pressure yourself to become a published author by age 18?<br /><br />I think they do it because they want to become famous as soon as possible, or <I>think</I> they'll get fame. And that isn't the point of creative writing, or at least shouldn't be. I still encourage teens to write, but they should write for themselves and really develop/experiment at what and what not they're good at. And when they finally feel comfortable with their writing, years down the road, <I>then</I> they can attempt publication.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-37146280826708350432009-05-01T11:39:00.000-04:002009-05-01T11:39:00.000-04:00I am a teen writer, and I really don't like the ha...I am a teen writer, and I really don't like the harsh outlook some people have on us. At sixteen, I have had poems and a novella published, and I submit to ezines. Writing is what I love and it is what I want to do when I leave school. For now, I am a good student. I focus on my schoolwork and write only when I have spare time or need to relax. <br /><br />Of course, I write primarily for adults, so I guess that means I'm a little more mature. I can handle the business side perfectly well, and I love getting constructive criticism from readers. How else will I improve?<br /><br />At fourteen I entered the prologue of a novel to a national competition here in Australia. I placed fifteenth overall - against adults. I had had to get a reference from teachers just so I could enter. The judges gave me scores of 112/116 and 108/116. Apparently, they liked it, even though I have since moved on from that novel. <br /><br />I will go to university. I want to get a PhD in English. I'm going to do that, and I'm going to keep writing. Writing is my passion. If I can do it full-time, I will be very happy.The Caffeinated Vampirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15559934875887021459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-74488775797562398152009-04-30T18:00:00.000-04:002009-04-30T18:00:00.000-04:00Jessica, I think your post is right on, but I want...Jessica, I think your post is right on, but I want to respond to some of these comments. I am a teen writer. I wrote my first novel in fourth grade. I got my agent at 16 (two well-regarded agents actually offered to represent me). In between, I faced rejection, tough criticism from beta readers, self-doubt, late nights wondering how to fix a scene that just wasn’t working – in short, all the challenges that confront any aspiring writer. But you know what? Those challenges didn’t crush my spirit or make me want to give up writing forever. Instead, they made me tougher, taught me to see criticism as helpful advice to improve my writing (something that is very useful now that I am working on revisions with my agent!), vastly improved my time-management skills, and helped strengthen my prose and storytelling ability. The things I have learned, the experiences I’ve gone through, and the people I have met have all been extremely rewarding.<br /><br />My advice to young writers (for what it’s worth) is to write because you love to write, and pursue publication when you are ready – don't let others push you onto that path or do it just because you think it would be cool to be published before your twenties. If someone doubts you because of your age, prove them wrong – show them that you can write, revise, and take criticism and rejection like a professional, because that is the standard you will be held to. Never let anyone stop you or discourage you for something superficial like your age/gender/race/whatever. <br /><br />To the adults, all I ask is that you judge us solely by our work and give us the opportunity to show you that we can be valuable contributors to the world of readers and writers. Don’t dismiss us because we should be “studying for tests and doing homework” instead of writing (isn’t that like saying you should be working instead of writing?) – instead, guide us, help us, teach us, or just work with us like you would with any other writer. Thanks.Megannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78205911310619944662009-04-30T17:18:00.000-04:002009-04-30T17:18:00.000-04:00P.S. I looked myself up on intelius. I'm not on th...P.S. I looked myself up on intelius. I'm not on there. <br /><br />As a now deceased leader once said: "Ask not what your employee can do for you. Ask rather how old he is. That's the important thing."<br /><br />Who said that?Rachaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918987890132222901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-2984246356842928412009-04-30T17:07:00.000-04:002009-04-30T17:07:00.000-04:00How old you are means absolutely nothing. I'm 15 y...How old you are means absolutely nothing. I'm 15 years old. Online I've been mistaken as an older married lady. I know teenagers that are more mature than some adults and some adults that need a reality check. Honestly, what does it matter if your 15 or 150?<br /><br />Trust me, there are FAR worse things teen writers could be doing with their time than writing, editing, querying, and attempting to further what could be their future career. I know. I see it every single day.Rachaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918987890132222901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-91624189979801393452009-04-30T16:58:00.000-04:002009-04-30T16:58:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07612853666370974945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-36652618347983936462009-04-30T16:48:00.000-04:002009-04-30T16:48:00.000-04:00Any HR manager can tell you it is simple to look p...Any HR manager can tell you it is simple to look people up on www.intelius.com and find out how old they are. If you are looking to hire someone you always do that so no one who is too old is ever called in for an interview. Years ago, before the internet, managers used to call people who are too old and have to find some excuse to get rid of them when they walked into the office. Now they don't call them in the first place.<br /><br />There are a lot of women in the Tri-State area named Jessica Faust (I checked) so I don't know your exact age. But I know the ballpark. And if I were considering you for representation I would be sure to get your middle initial. Then the truth would be out.<br /><br />As a now deceased leader once said: "Ask not what your employee can do for you. Ask rather how old he is. That's the important thing."<br /><br />Words to live by.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-63460743428225626142009-04-30T16:05:00.000-04:002009-04-30T16:05:00.000-04:00Concerning the idea that teens should be thinking ...Concerning the idea that teens should be thinking about their college education rather than writing... I am nineteen and I have been a freelance writer for a newspaper (not my school newspaper, a county newspaper) since I was 17. Writing is what ALLOWS me to have a college education, and if I do end up getting published those royalties will go straight to student loans. Yes, the work-load can be tough, but I'm a scholarship student and so far my English teachers haven't complained that I write novels in my spare time. <br /><br />Someone mentioned that rejection hurts at any age. This is true, and honestly, after following the recent "agentfail" on Twitter, I personally think that I have handled rejections better than some older writers. (Key word: SOME.) <br /><br />What I don't understand is why it is considered wrong if a young writer wants to be published. Yes, I would be very upset if parents were pushing their children to be published out of some desire to raise a prodigy...but if the teen is trying to do it on their own, why try to stop them? Sure, they'll get rejections. They might not make it. But they'll have a wealth of experience that most kids their age won't acquire until they're much older - how to accept criticism gracefully. How to deal with disappointment. How to communicate professionally. These are life skills that are going to be necessary in the world - AND in college. Why do you want to rob them of that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-54345963077725014942009-04-30T14:52:00.000-04:002009-04-30T14:52:00.000-04:00I am fourteen years old, and I've been writing for...I am fourteen years old, and I've been writing for as long as I can remember, literally. I recently finished the first draft of a novel. I am aware that it will need many many revisions, I know about query letters, I know not to use to many adverbs, not to bug agents (:D). I know more about the business than anyone I know in real life. Knowing about the road to publication is not dependant on age, it's dependant on how much research you've done and how committed you are.<br /><br />As to dealing with rejection... Just because I'm a few years younger doesn't mean I'm a weak, pathetic crybaby. I /know/ I'll be rejected many times when I eventually start querying, and I can deal with that. The thickness of your skin isn't dependant on age, it's dependant on your temperament, your upbringing and your life experiences.<br /><br />Sure, it's hard juggling school and extra-curricular activities with writing, but I manage. Writing is my hobby. Others zap aliens on their playstations or watch mindless TV, I just choose to do something more constructive with my free time. Anyway, adults have jobs and mortgages and families and cleaning and cooking. Being busy isn't exclusive to teenagers.<br /><br />I'm just goiong to reply specifically to some of the posts here, because I feel that some of them are unfair...<br /><br />"Sorry but I think kids should LIVE life and enjoy their childhood and teens before worrying about publication...they have the rest of their lives to be an adult. Stage parents, perhaps?"<br /><br />Uh, for me, writing is part of my life. One of the most fun parts. Just because I write doesn't mean I'm not living life. The stage parents thing is totally not true in my case, and also in most teenage writers. My parents vaguely know I write and think it's better than going out and getting drunk and doing drugs, but they aren't particularly interested. My parents have never read any of my stuff, never talked to me about writing and know nothing about publication. That's how I like it. Writing is /my/ thing, something I can do independantly. It's a way to forge my own identity, and prove that I am mature and responsible despite my age.<br /><br />"Teens and children should be studying for tests and doing homework so they can get into a good college... exploit underage children."<br /><br />Uhm, we /are/ studying for tests and doing homework. Do you expect us to do that every minute of every day? I'm a straight A student and expect to get into the top university in Britain, Oxford. And we're not being exploited. We /choose/ to write, we /enjoy/ it.<br /><br />Sorry for the rant, but I have srong opinions on this subject. I just think that teens and adults should be considered on a totally equal footing. A teen wouldn't tell an adult to stop writing and live their life, so how come adults can get away with telling this to teens? We still have brains, intelligence, maturity, the ability to think for ourselves. At least some do. Just those teens who write are generally the ones who could cope with the demands of the adult world.Poppynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-14181851823071400092009-04-30T14:41:00.000-04:002009-04-30T14:41:00.000-04:00I laugh at all these people saying that teens shou...I laugh at all these people saying that teens shouldn't be writing but instead be studying and getting into colleges. Last I checked that wasn't living, just more adults thinking they know best when in reality, they're utterly clueless.<br /><br />Listen up. Not every teen wants to go to Harvard or Yale. I'm perfectly content at the local community college earning an AA in Computer Graphics, something I will never use for anything beyond a rank-up when I enter the military this year. Writing will be my life while I'm in the service, not wasting the best years of my life locked in college.<br /><br />Seriously, what's so worth it at college? Friends? Only the skilled graphic designers network, people with my level get left behind. Girls? Asexual, sorry. A career? I'm going into the military with an ASVAB score of 95, guaranteeing me the pick of any job they've got. And if I'm not satisfied with it, I can crosstrain to a different one. How's THAT for career flexibility?<br /><br />In short, do not try to stop teen writers from doing what they do so they can live up to your idealized life choices. You will not succeed and will only breed hatred at what is perceived to be (and correctly!) a threat to their dreams. Go waste your breath on the frat houses at those "great" colleges.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07612853666370974945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-70756931672978280572009-04-30T14:40:00.000-04:002009-04-30T14:40:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07612853666370974945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53747963210212586512009-04-30T14:11:00.000-04:002009-04-30T14:11:00.000-04:00I have to agree with horserider: I'm 17, and have ...I have to agree with horserider: I'm 17, and have been working on a novel for the past couple of years. I keep on top of my homework, am a grade A student and, yeah, I get stressed, but my writing doesn't add to that. Writing is my relaxation - some of my friends watch TV, some do sport, I write. It;s what I love doing.<br /><br />I can see the problem if parents are pushing their children into writing and trying to get published, but then I can see the problem with pushy parents in any career path. What I don't see a problem with is teens trying to get published, if that's what they want - why not give it a go?<br /><br />I disagree that teens aren't ready for the 'adult world': I know plenty of teens who are more mature, and definitely cope better in the supposed 'adult world' than some twenty, thirty and forty year olds I know. Writing isn't about age, and I feel some of the comments on here are unduly harsh.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03513025530989222637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-83400484117017372982009-04-30T12:49:00.000-04:002009-04-30T12:49:00.000-04:00There are some harsh comments about teen writers h...There are some harsh comments about teen writers here, most of which have no foundation at all. As a teen, with friends and acquaintances that are also teens (and a few published), I can tell you that we can handle the business as well as an adult. We can write, revise, query, deal with rejection, work with agents, revise some more, deal with rejection...<br />We can get our education and work towards a career, other than the career of writing that we hope for, while writing, revising, querying...<br />We can. And we do. With success. The only problem I see is that a great many people assume we can't. And that is why it is harder for us to "compete."Racehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02152915853141020493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17750830220802362642009-04-30T12:21:00.000-04:002009-04-30T12:21:00.000-04:00I'm a teen writer as well and trying to get publis...I'm a teen writer as well and trying to get published. I'm on my 14th rejection on my first novel. With two more novels in editing and a fourth in writing. I get good grades in school and write in my spare time. Yes, school and homework takes up a lot of time. But I think I'd go mad if it wasn't for my writing. It's my stress relief, the thing I look forward to during a long day at school. <br /><br />I've been writing since I could hold a pencil. The stories from those days were the kind that I plan to burn if I ever find them again. I wrote the beginnings to countless novels since then, but most of them never got past chapter 2 or 3. If you've finished a novel, you can imagine how happy I was when my first was completed after only two months at the age of 15. <br /><br />I've done all my homework. I know how to write a query letter and send them, I know which agents I'm going to query and how to do so, and I don't query agents that wouldn't be suited to my project (non-fiction agents for a YA fantasy project for example). My parents are not involved in any way. If I'm going to be published, it'll be 100% my own sweat, blood, and tears. And that's how it should be.Rachaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918987890132222901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-11635088952777555172009-04-30T12:19:00.000-04:002009-04-30T12:19:00.000-04:00I need to clarify that what I meant is if a teen i...I need to clarify that what I meant is if a teen is pushing themselves to write, to get published, that's one thing. If they have the gumption to do so, by all means, they should.<br /><br />But parents/teachers/mentors should not push teenagers to write for publication. I don't care how good they are. Someone thought it was a good idea to be my agent when I was 14 and the pressure was enormous. I resisted it and began handling my own work my own way when I was 17. But I was so burnt out I gave up at 20 and did something else with my life for many years, probably more than I should have. It's just a bad idea to push this. <br /><br />If they want it bad enough, they'll find a way. And should. It's part of the growth process. <br /><br />And they shouldn't worry about "competing". Either their work is good enough to stand without comparison, or not. They don't get extra points for being young or cute, nor should they be discriminated against. It's about the writing.Sarah J. MacManushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03430266551248332700noreply@blogger.com