Need help - Not sure how to pitch this one

Lisa R

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I'm writing a book aimed at ages 8-12, and it will most likely end up being about 25k-30k words long. It's not quite young adult because of the target audience. At least, that is what I understand about the genre description of young adult. It is fantasy, and will be illustrated. Do any of you know how to pitch this idea as far as genre?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 

alleycat

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Age 8 to 12 is quite a range (think about what you read when you were 8, and what you read when you were 12). Chapter books are generally for the third and fourth grade level, while middle grade readers are for the fifth and sixth grade level (there is some difference of opinion about exactly what constitute each sub-genre; you will hear different ages and grades as the target audience).

It sounds like your book is more of a middle grade reader due to its length. Middle grade readers can be illustrated, with maybe one illustration per chapter, or less.
 
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Cyia

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I'm writing a book aimed at ages 8-12, and it will most likely end up being about 25k-30k words long.Then it's MG - Middle Grade It's not quite young adult because of the target audience. At least, that is what I understand about the genre description of young adult. It is fantasy, and will be illustrated.<--- not actually up to you. That's up to the publisher, and even if they agree to illustrations (I assume you mean chapter illustrations and not full ones) they'll usually hire their own illustrator from their own stable. Do any of you know how to pitch this idea as far as genre?

Thanks in advance for your help.

The pitch should be a query letter (check the query letter/synopsis section in Share Your Work. password:vista)

Dear agent:

I am seeking representation for {title}, a {word count} Middle Grade fantasy.

A couple of quick paragraphs about the plot.

Sample pages or the full manuscript are available upon request. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

You
 

Lisa R

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Thanks for your quick replies. I did start reading different kinds of novels around 11. I think middle grade is exactly what it is, thanks.

I have read that illustrations are up to the publishers, but I'm hopeful that because I'm writing this book with someone else who is an artist, an exception might be made.