A global perspective

Eh she's got a point and she doesn't. The reasons my book was published in the UK originally (aside from the fact that I was living there) was that as my editor put it when she, in shock, learned I was Canadian, "It sounds quintessentially english".

However that didn't stop the Americans, French, Germans, Romanians, Greeks and Italians also buying the rights.

It can help to get published in the community you are writing for (I have another friend who's editor asked her to write something more "Canadian"), but I don't think it makes a difference for foreign sales.

It does sound strange for this genre. There is a wonder and fascination that a good children's story brings to a child when it can take the child to a new and different place.

Seattle can be as attractive a location as any if the child's imagination is sparked.

I wouldn't take it seriously unless you hired this person to edit your work- then I would say it's worth taking a look at the editors other works (books and their reviews) and maybe talk to his or her other authors.

Should I include Martians?

I live just north of Seattle so this thread interested me. Strangely enough my present WIP is based almost entirely in Canada because they have more wolves (Habitat). I have a concept for a second book that will center on southern France because of a great 'wolf' legend in the area.

Why this may be strange is that I am a serious Patriot to my country (USA) and I want to write several books based upon my political feeling and opinions. I have a 'war thriller' story that will be '20-minutes in the future' and based upon the Second Utah War. I have a Sci-Fi that will showcase the Earth as the planet called America. This comes about when the rest of the world finally come to the conclusion that our form of government is the best (this should start a few heated discussions!)

I mention these because I agree that there is a 'anti-America' bias in many things today (Thanks Bush!). Even in America I find that it is popular to "think globally" in denial of our own country. So I am not suprised that this opinion of "not mentioning America" may be true.

I will fly against this wind!

Seattle is a GREAT city and should be written about. It has all the atributes of NYC without the stigma of... lets call it the 'Gotham Crime Image' that follows other big cities. Not that Seattle is crime free - this is my opinion about NYC's image to the world as 'Gotham.' If an editor told me to change a location to please a "world" audience I would find another editor. Although I believe a good story can be translated to almost any location I think the location is part of the fun of developing a story. Well IMHO anyway.

ghost:
Now I’m not American and she’s from the UK. Still, WTF? Is she stating that I shouldn’t mention my characters are in America because no one outside America will want to read about them?

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I think my country[wo]man is talking utter bollocks. If the story's good then I don't think it really matters where you set it because people will want to know what happens to your characters and it's not as though Seattle is a place that no one has heard of before.

What does interest me is the number of Canadians living in the UK? What is this, an invasion? I know what you're up to - I read the Daily Mail and you won't succeed in your nefarious plan to make us add "eh?" to the end of our sentences!

MM

Look! It has holes!

ghost said:

It's the damn cheese! I can't even touch Canadian cheddar anymore. It just doesn't have the same kick.

I loved the UK and I'm saving to move back right now. All I need is to get a good teaching job and I'm gone! (already have the Visa)

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I like Colby Longhorn myself! Although nothing beats Swiss on ham!

Or Feta! Hmmm... stinky cheese!

And adding the eh in the UK lexicon... Hmmm... must tell joke now.

Know the difference between a Canadian and a Californian?

"I'm a Canadian, eh."

"Heeeey, I'm a Californian."

(Works better in Audio.)

Momento Mori said:

What does interest me is the number of Canadians living in the UK? What is this, an invasion? I know what you're up to - I read the Daily Mail and you won't succeed in your nefarious plan to make us add "eh?" to the end of our sentences!

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I just moved from the US to Canada, and I have to say, I'm still not over the "Eh" at the end of every sentence. I always thought it was more of a joke. BUT IT'S REAL! The worst is when my 6-year-old starts doing it.

Like Toothpaste, I can see where this person is coming from. My YA has not sold to the US, despite having a very strong premise. One of the main objections to it is that it is set very firmly in the English school system - there are references to certain exams etc. So setting your book firmly in a location CAN sometimes prevent that book from being sold to other countries. HOWEVER, on this occasion I think your critic was being a little over-cautious. Normally it's not so much the location itself that can be a problem as the culture around it - and even that can work in your favour if handled well.

So whilst I can see why you would react like that, he or she is only voicing a concern based in reality.

When I first read Wizard of the Pigeons, I thought it was nice to see a book set somewhere else in America than New York or LA. That's the only book I've read that is set in Seattle, though.

Umm - I think you'll find Jungle Book is set in India, along with Kipling's other great work, Kim.

ghost said:

On another writing site, someone made a comment that really made me want to draw blood (I am a pacifist, honest!)

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That was not the last "comment that really made me want to draw blood" as far as many fellows are envious of your gift and want you to stop writing. I know what it feels like and understand you well.

Remember: If your English is not a slang, a good book will remain a good book anywhere: in USA, in UK, in Antarctica etc.