New Paranormal Novel Advice

Roly · Feb 17, 2010

I've just got an idea for a paranormal YA and I've been brainstorming and developing it further. My only concern is it features angels (no demons, no guardians and no fallen angels though) and biblical references. But I'm wondering if agents might be a little tired of anything angel right now. Considering that most books from the time that they're accepted by agents (if ever) take two years to get to the shelves, the whole angel thing might be overdone and played out by the time it sees the shelves.

I know it's pretty dumb to try to predict trends or write based on what might be in/not be in in the future. After all, tons of normal teenager/hot vampire novels were out before Twilight hit the shelves. Still, I'm worried that agents might pass because they don't think the subject matter can compete in the market so I just want to get some advice on whether I should go through with the angel thing or maybe come up with something different.

I might just be paranoid because a lot of the rejections I'm getting on the current book say that they're not sure where to place it in the market.

Sage · Feb 17, 2010

It will be a harder sell right now, this is true. I've heard agents say that angel books are on their way out. But make it stand out and well-written, and it still should find a home.

True · Feb 17, 2010

1) Write the book you want to write. The one you love to write.

2) Make it original. Originality is always in, no matter what.

3) If it gets rejected, then that means it wasn't with the right agent and you get another chance to find the right one.

If they're not sure where to place it in the market, then I think you need to make your audience a little clearer. Who is the book aimed at? Think that through and fix the manuscript. Also, get betas--I'd say different ones (if you have any right now) so you can see what they think of your work the first time they see it. Betas are always helpful.

And don't get paranoid. Paranoia won't help.

Good luck.

Roly · Feb 17, 2010

thanks guys.

I'm still really nervous. What really bothers me is that you've got agents saying that certain paranormal creatures are getting tired, but then they keep selling and when you offer them something different, they "don't know where to place it" BECAUSE it's different. It just sucks. I don't want to have to write what other paranormal Ya authors are writing or write in the voice that other paranormal Ya authors are just to get published. If I do that, then who the hell am I?

FJAR0009 · Feb 17, 2010

Roly said:
thanks guys.

I'm still really nervous. What really bothers me is that you've got agents saying that certain paranormal creatures are getting tired, but then they keep selling and when you offer them something different, they "don't know where to place it" BECAUSE it's different. It just sucks. I don't want to have to write what other paranormal Ya authors are writing or write in the voice that other paranormal Ya authors are just to get published. If I do that, then who the hell am I?

Exactly.

I have some of the same fears. But, as the writer, you are ALWAYS going to be the biggest pessimist and harshest critic. Also, your story is your child, so you are naturally going to worry to death about:

A) What bad things could happen.
B) Every way it could possibly get rejected.
C) Anything you may have done wrong.
D) All negatives that may or may not occur.

What I'm saying is, be not afraid!

Trends fluxate and repeat themselves ALL the time. If it's a good story, it will find an agent, a publisher, and then a fanbase. Fans will ALWAYS be there and will come to the novel - the book just has to run through the gauntlet first. And because we can't personally see the gauntlet, we imagine the 'horrors' inside of it.

shaldna · Feb 18, 2010

Angels are pretty tired right now.

My advice is to write the book, then put it on the back burner for a while.

Momento Mori · Feb 18, 2010

Roly:
But I'm wondering if agents might be a little tired of anything angel right now. Considering that most books from the time that they're accepted by agents (if ever) take two years to get to the shelves, the whole angel thing might be overdone and played out by the time it sees the shelves.

I don't think that it's so much the subject matter that's important as whether you've put an original hook or twist to it.

There are only so many types of fantastical creature and there's only so much you can do with a romance. The trick is to put your own stamp on it so that it stands out from everyone else's take and that comes down to story and voice.

My WIP is a twist on demons and angels, but they're v. much in the background and (hopefully) that will give me some room with editors.

The next project I want to do is a twist on zombies (which are so dead right now - bwah ha ha ha haha! Ahem).

Right now, you're at outlining stage. You've got an idea you're excited about and a story that you want to tell. That is all that's important right now. Worry about the market when you've finished it and are ready to submit (because that's when you need to tailor your query letter to make you different to everyone else). It is entirely possible by the way that angels will still be the hottest thing in hotdom when you're at that stage.

MM

Sage · Feb 18, 2010

Zombies might be dead, but that didn't stop my friend from getting a bunch of requests on her zombie book, nor an offer yesterday.

Danthia · Feb 18, 2010

I'm in the same boat with a novel I had 75% done when I sold Shifter (I had to put it on the back burner to do S2 & S3). I still love the idea, and I think it might have a fresh twist, but it IS in a very saturated genre/market. I wonder if I should finish it or just do something else. I even asked my agent, so here's what she said.

It's all about the execution. The popular stuff is still popular, and if the book is good enough it can still sell. It'll be harder, but you won't know until you try.

So, I'm going to do mine and see what happens. Worst case, I have a book I can't sell, and it wouldn't be the first time I had that! So if you love your angel idea and really want to write it, I'd say write it. If you have another idea and you feel you'd be better off doing that, then do that.

Be true to yourself and write the story that sings to you. No writing is ever wasted.

Kitty27 · Feb 18, 2010

One of the best pieces of advice I got from this board is this:
Don't write for trends. Just write.

Write your book in whatever manner that it speaks. Sure,there are a lot of books out there with angels,werewolves,mermen,etc. But all it takes is for one written in a new and original way for the market to reignite.

Momento Mori · Feb 18, 2010

Sage:
Zombies might be dead, but that didn't stop my friend from getting a bunch of requests on her zombie book, nor an offer yesterday.

Ooh - I look forward to hearing of the sale. We need more zombie books in the world.

:nods:

MM

Wavy_Blue · Feb 18, 2010

Don't worry about selling your novel; just worry about writing a book that you want to write. That's the best advice I can give you.

oblivo · Feb 18, 2010

Kitty27 said:
One of the best pieces of advice I got from this board is this:
Don't write for trends. Just write.

That is good advice. As above, I believe if you put a truly original twist on things there's no reason why you can't delve into what may be a saturated market.

New Paranormal Novel Advice

Roly

silly puppy monster

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

True

blue rain, na'vi dances, color code

Roly

silly puppy monster

FJAR0009

Burning down the wicked garden.

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Danthia

Kitty27

So Goth That I Was Born Black

Momento Mori

Tired and Disillusioned

Wavy_Blue

Adventure is out there!

oblivo