So if you’ve checked my Facebook page, I didn’t get the promotion at the 9 to 5. However, the department head is going to basically take me under his wing and get me the additional experience I need with the help of my supervisor. They want me to be ready for the next round which will come sometime this summer. I’m trying not to explode before then.
So about the industry.
I did go to the bookstore this weekend. I’ve been feeling really stressed and uptight lately and I thought it would calm me down. It did a bit but I didn’t really pay attention to what was on the shelves this time.
Thanks to the miracle of modern technology — otherwise known as my Motorola Droid Maxx smartphone, I was able to access Twitter and participate in their #askagent forum.
Me: Are agents interested in futuristic sci-fi that is NOT dystopian?
JB: For kids or adults?
Me: Adults but I believe teens would enjoy it as well. Thanks!
JB: Not sure of the market for adult, I’m sorry to say. A genre I don’t rep.
MKH: Depends on the book, really. YA sf can be a tough sell with editors…often, but not always.
Me: I guess the inevitable question would be in this case, what isn’t a hard sell?
JB: In adult, thrillers, suspense, mystery, romance, but of course there are nuances.
So my general tweet was, “Participated in #askagent #asktba today. Asked what was selling? No one said fantasy or sci-fi. That’s discouraging…”
Of course this is just one agency’s opinion but it was enough to, as I said, be a bit discouraging. So as always, when faced with a conundrum, I did some research. I started. By the way, I also asked about Young Adult Heroic Fantasy but I’m still waiting for an answer.
So I hopped on over to the Manuscript Wish List site and looked up fantasy. There are several lists like this but this one is at the top of the list. Oh, yes and this is agents only, not editors, since most don’t accept unsolicited anymore. I hope they don’t mind me providing this information here but since it’s the agents saying what they’d like it may be useful.
Laura Crockett of TriadaUS is looking for, “Great storytelling + parallel narratives (like Kate Morton) or lush, light fantasy writing (like Paula Brackston)” I looked up both and Ms. Brackston’s book is going on my TBR list. Both books seem to take place in what appears to be an alternate reality London in different time frames– as many seem to be doing lately, Ms. Morton’s is closer to modern day . Authors feel free to correct me here if I’m wrong.
Marlene Stringer of Stinger Literary only lists contemporary fantasy. As far as I’m aware, it’s where the fantastic is intermixed with the modern day world. Here’s Amazon’s list of Best Contemporary Fantasy.
Although some of these seem to be paranormal fantasy to me or maybe urban fantasy? So what’s the difference? They all seem to include the standard vampires (seriously, are they really still that popular?), werewolves (ditto) and sometimes zombies (eww, sorry I don’t think zombies are sexy, they are decomposing people, people!) and shapeshifters, which could actually still be filed under were’s.
Amazon’s Paranormal and Urban list are tied together and still seems to contain the same tropes.
You know, I actually remember (yes, I’m old!) when none of these offshoots were around. You had contemporary, literary, romance, mystery, science-fiction, fantasy and horror and that was it! I know, I know this gives readers and authors more variety, but still, sometimes…
But back to the subject at hand.
One agent, Lane Heymont of The Seymour Agency (who has my query for Tinderbox BTW) wants these according to his blog:
In Fantasy he asks for, “… Dark and gritty Contemporary in the vein of Chuck Wendig, but says no Urban Fantasy.”
I looked at Chuck Wendig’s site and his work seems along the lines of futuristic science-fiction and urban fantasy. Again, please feel free to correct me.
In Science Fiction: “Military science based in our world but no space opera.” I’m assuming futuristic. He also wants “horror elements” apparently along the lines of Halo, Aliens or Frankenstein. He continues with adult and hard or soft like Coherence and Carl Sagan’s Contact.
By the way he also states fantasy/paranormal romance with no vampires or werewolves. Bravo!
Maria Vincente of the PS Literary Agency actually does want both Fantasy and Magic Realism (so wouldn’t magic realism be the same as contemporary fantasy?) in both YA and Middle Grade.
Bridget Smith of Dunham Literary would like to see: “SFF (YA or adult) about sisters (born or fostered) who end up on opposite sides of a war.”
Hmm…come to think of it, so would I.
I only went back to the beginning of the month and only included certain listings.
I glanced at science-fiction. Laura Zats of Red Sofa wants, “Lighthearted Sci-fi for adults.”
Hmm…I’ll ask for examples and let everyone know what she says in my next musing.
So that’s all I’m going to do for now. Another case of doing a lot of writing and not even noticing.
I’ll do a bit more research and see what I come up with.
Peace~
CJ
Author WA Simpson 