A Question of Age

Shady Lane · Apr 30, 2007

So...I'm getting ready to submit to agents.

I have one book coming out with a small press in September that I submitted unagented. I'm wrapping up my next one now and thinking ahead to the (hopefully not too numerous) query letters I'll be sending.

A lot of them want author's bios.

My credits aren't that impressive. Just the one book with a largely unknown press, and no sales to speak of since the thing isn't even out yet.

No college degree, no MFA, none of that good stuff.

It's not so bad, though, when you consider that I just turned sixteen.

I just don't know if I should mention my age in these query letters. On the one hand, sure, I look like somewhat of a prodigy and a damn hard worker with everything I've accomplished in only this many years. But...how many agents are really going to want to work with a kid? You know all the science--my brain isn't fully developed and all that jazz, and my parents have to cosign on everything...is that really something any agent is going to be dying to deal with. Should I conceal my age until I get offered a contract, or would that be dishonest?

Is my age going to help me or hinder me here?

Niapri · Apr 30, 2007

I'd mention that you do have one published book, however few sales and however unknown, but I'd leave out your age and let the story and writing speak for itself.

I don't think it would hurt you, per se, though, so it's really up to you.

Kristin Landon · Apr 30, 2007

Congratulations, Shady Lane! That's impressive!

I'd certainly mention the upcoming book. I don't think you should mention your age, though. It's not relevant—if they like your writing, they'll want to see more, and it doesn't affect their ability to represent you.

But it might affect how they read your work, if they know your age. That could help you, or it could hurt you, but even if it helps, that's not really what you want: "This is very good—for such a young writer!"

You're a writer, period. I'd say let them judge you that way.

janetbellinger · Apr 30, 2007

S.E. Hinton was sixteen when she wrote "The Outsiders."

Zoombie · Apr 30, 2007

Maybe you should mention your age at the very end of the manuscript.

veinglory · Apr 30, 2007

Check that the small press is considered a legitmate credit and lead with that. I don't think age needs to come up at the query stage but you shouldn't be misleading about it either.

Sean D. Schaffer · Apr 30, 2007

As long as you're legally old enough to sign a contract for yourself I don't see why you should worry about your age.

I know he's not a popular author amongst some AW'ers, but how old was Christopher Paolini when he published Eragon? I believe he was right around fifteen or sixteen, although I could be mistaken.

What will really matter to a publisher will be the quality of your writing and perhaps some legitimate publishing credits you've had in the past. On the credits, I would do what Veinglory suggested and check to see if the house your other book was done through, is a legitimate credit or not before mentioning your first books to the prospective future publishers.

I hope this helps. Good luck to you.

Kristin Landon · Apr 30, 2007

Shady Lane, I don't think having a parent co-sign a contract with you would be that big of a deal. And when it comes to getting a publisher interested, your age might well be an asset. Young writers are interesting.

Of course you'd want to disclose your age if an agent offers to represent you, before signing any agreement. If finding that out makes the agent say, "Whoa, that's not what I want to deal with!" then you don't want that agent anyway.

veinglory · Apr 30, 2007

I agree, once it comes to anything formal the agent will need to know and your parents need to sign any contracts. But cross that bridge when you come to it.

Claudia Gray · Apr 30, 2007

I would say it varies depending on the kind of book you're trying to sell. If it's anything other than YA, I agree with the majority of posters above: No need to say your age until later. If it's YA, though, I think your age could prove to be a selling point.

Anya Smith · Apr 30, 2007

First, Congratulations!

I wouldn't mention age in the query letter. It will come up later and then you can tell them.

Cassidy · Apr 30, 2007

my guess would be that your age would interest some agents.

obviously any good agent would make their decision based on your writing and whether they think they can sell your book. still, your age might be an advantage in selling your work-- so it might help. and i don't think it likely to hinder in any way.

it seems to me that some young writers-- the guy who wrote "be more chill" for example-- get lots of publicity because of their age. that's gotta be a good thing for a publisher.

just my opinion though.

herdon · Apr 30, 2007

I don't mention my age. I don't see why you should mention yours until it becomes an issue. That's my thoughts, at least. Get their interest and then let them judge for themselves.

britlitfantw · Apr 30, 2007

I would do as others have suggested. Sell them on your writing first, and then wow them with knowledge of your age when they contact you to offer representation. Chances are they will be impressed at how mature you have been thus far, and then they can take it from there.

Jamesaritchie · May 1, 2007

Age

A writer should not usually mention his age, but when the writer is very young or very old, it can be a tough call. A writer much younger or older than usual is a prime candidate for publicity, and anything the marketing department sees as a headline maker, as free publicity, is a good thing.

Prawn · May 1, 2007

I agree with those who have said that if the book is YA, your age would be a good thing to mention, since it it part of your expertise.

Moon Daughter · May 1, 2007

Sean D. Schaffer said:
As long as you're legally old enough to sign a contract for yourself I don't see why you should worry about your age.

I know he's not a popular author amongst some AW'ers, but how old was Christopher Paolini when he published Eragon? I believe he was right around fifteen or sixteen, although I could be mistaken.

But wasn't Eragon self-published first?

stormie · May 1, 2007

Don't worry about it. Don't mention it. Don't mention lack of credentials. Just show them a query that hooks them to the story, and then great writing.

Sean D. Schaffer · May 1, 2007

Moon Daughter said:
But wasn't Eragon self-published first?

Not according to some people's posts here. I understand Christopher Paolini's parents already owned a small press, and he submitted to them just like any other author would have.

I'm still a bit hazy on all the details myself, but you might want to ask someone who knows, like perhaps James D. Macdonald or Jamesaritchie. They'd be able to tell you better than I would, simply because they have a better understanding of the business than I do ... by far.

JoNightshade · May 1, 2007

I think publication by a small press (if legit) is a fantastic credit in itself. I agree with others that you shouldn't mention your age unless it ties in with your subject somehow. It doesn't necessarily have to be YA; I think fantasy would also be okay for mentioning that as well. But if you're writing about, say, two old guys coping with the prospect of death, there's no way I would even get close to mentioning your age until the agent had read the entire manuscript!

Incidentally, I started publishing short stories at sixteen. I never mentioned my age unless I had personal communications with someone who had accepted a story, and I got along just fine. When I went to college I brought a manuscript to a professor, who took one look at me (18), my characters (people in their 30s and 40s), and said "Perhaps you should choose something more age appropriate." So that confirmed that I had made the right decision-- let them read first, then judge. Ah, the beauty of anonymity.

Shady Lane · May 1, 2007

ClaudiaGray said:
I would say it varies depending on the kind of book you're trying to sell. If it's anything other than YA, I agree with the majority of posters above: No need to say your age until later. If it's YA, though, I think your age could prove to be a selling point.

It's YA.

Shady Lane · May 1, 2007

Cassidy said:
my guess would be that your age would interest some agents.

obviously any good agent would make their decision based on your writing and whether they think they can sell your book. still, your age might be an advantage in selling your work-- so it might help. and i don't think it likely to hinder in any way.

it seems to me that some young writers-- the guy who wrote "be more chill" for example-- get lots of publicity because of their age. that's gotta be a good thing for a publisher.

just my opinion though.

I am in love with the guy who wrote Be More Chill. I would absolutely marry him in a second. Ned Vizzini is my hero.

Shara · May 2, 2007

I was 17 when I started sending my first novel out to publishers, and I took the decision to tell the publishers how old I was. The novel didn't get accepted, and the rejection letters were all very polite and supportive, but they were a tad patronising (saying things like, we always like to hear from young people who like to write, and your style shows promise, but wait till you've got another 10 years of life experience and come back to us).

Well, 20 years down the road I'm trying to get novel #3 published. I have a lot more life experience and I think my writing's improved. But I still get rejection letters, and now they aren't quite so polite and encouraging as they were then.

Your age should not be a barrier, but some people may treat you differently, thinking you are at the very brink of your writing career and they don't want to discourage you from writing. It can be extremely irritating when people decide your writing is good 'for someone so young', which I translated to mean, it's not good at all but it's better than to be expected from someone your age. I wanted my writing to be judged on its merit, not how it compared to everyone else's in my English class.

Congratulations on finishing your first novel, and i wish you all the best in getting it published.

Shara

C.bronco · May 2, 2007

I'm not putting my age in my query letters. They'd have to beat it out of me, but even then I wouldn't admit to it. Deny, deny, deny, that's my policy.
I choose an arbitrary number each October. Lately, I've had a tendency toward prime numbers.
Not all agents request bios either. Be brief and stick to information about your writing.

Moon Daughter · May 2, 2007

Sean D. Schaffer said:
Not according to some people's posts here. I understand Christopher Paolini's parents already owned a small press, and he submitted to them just like any other author would have.

I'm still a bit hazy on all the details myself, but you might want to ask someone who knows, like perhaps James D. Macdonald or Jamesaritchie. They'd be able to tell you better than I would, simply because they have a better understanding of the business than I do ... by far.

Grr, I don't remember where I read an interview from Mr. Paolini, but I'll check it later and post it here. But he said how he self published, then toured through schools to promote his book. Then a teacher, I think, picked up a copy of his book and had a friend who works at Knopf (sp?). When the editor saw it, he liked it and took it on. But I could be wrong.

A Question of Age

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Niapri

Kristin Landon

janetbellinger

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Sean D. Schaffer

Kristin Landon

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Claudia Gray

Anya Smith

House Dragon

Cassidy

writing for kids and teens

herdon

What's up?

britlitfantw

Jamesaritchie

Prawn

Writing is finite,revising infinite

Moon Daughter

stormie

storm central

Sean D. Schaffer

JoNightshade

has finally arrived

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Shara

Fix it in the Rewrite

C.bronco

I have plans...

Moon Daughter