Yes, the rumors are truekhaleesi was the 755th most popular baby name for little girls born in america last year. Text that is so well written, i visualize the illustrations as im reading. She is not acquiring ya or adult fiction at this time, but will consider books by existing clients. The 2021 florida writing workshop get your writing.
If your book is fresh and exciting, tackles difficult topics, reads like a shonda rhimes show, or makes readers stay up late turning pages, shes the agent for you. Its too cold and snowy to do anything outside the house. Unlike other segments of the market notably, picture books, where youre far more likely to find imported or translated books and publishers dedicated to bringing them to american shelves, as well as authors and illustrators who live and work outside the united states, ya. Genre fiction doesnt have to be high concept either. It can be contrasted with low concept, which is more concerned with character development and other subtleties that are not as easily summarized. Commissioning editor awardwinning authors crossan and conaghan teamed up for this stunning verse nove. Teen girl at a secret spy school meets a normal boy and hides her. The naturals by jennifer lynn barnes, dreamology by lucy keating, the westing game by ellen raskin, the knife of never.
Highconcept is a type of artistic work that can be easily pitched with a succinctly stated premise. Their standalone sophomore novel promises the same combination. Writing nonfiction is different than fiction, so dont follow generic selfpublishing advice. Theres always a lot of talk about bestseller lists and that includes books in the. There are a lot of fantastic nonfiction books out there that deserve attention but wont get the publicity of sarah palins controversial christmas book. The other hardest part about writing high concept fiction is putting in the creative work that will bring that premise to life. Feb, 2015 mj garys flawed is a stylish, high concept young adult thriller about a future society where those who fall below the 80th percentile in psychological tests are condemned to the subhuman status. I like books where the setting plays a prominent role in the work. I am is particularly interested in work that is high concept, voicey, characterdriven, and accessible. How to develop a high concept book idea writing mastery.
It means im looking for something in the basic premise of your book that intrinsically garners interest, such as the ally carter books my daughters. Pitching a high concept novel can be the key to skyrocketing to the. She represents fiction and select non fiction pb, mg, and ya, and is especially interested in seeing submissions from underrepresented voices. Hes currently on the lookout for speculative fiction with high concepts and unique narrative voices. But sometimes agents and editors are looking for a high concept novel in a certain genre.
For young adult, melissa typically looks for high concept contemporary or historical manuscripts, but a light scifi or a fantasy in a fresh world can draw her in too. Diverse authors are encouraged to submit their fiction. High fantasy, or epic fantasy, is a subgenre of fantasy, defined by the epic nature of its setting or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, or plot. Which fictional women from books are your favorite. High concept is something that has immediate commercial appeal. Mar 25, 2021 the first south asian youngadult novel, which meant so much to many people my age. The field guide to the north american teenager by ben philippe. Aug 17, 2020 a similar novel, mistborn by brandon sanderson, is also a heist fantasy novel. Thanks to the latest nonfiction releases, you can learn valuable life lessons and selflove from the likes of amy schumer and glennon doyle melton, meet the team of brillia.
Andrea walker is a literary agent at azantian literary. The naturals by jennifer lynn barnes, dreamology by lucy keating, the westing game by ellen raskin, the knife of never let. Harris when you look like us, 2021 has packed a lot of big releases into first. Add these recent and upcoming uk releases to your reading list stat. High concept ideas are basically known as the holy grail of the book and movie business. Our dynamic books from cult classics to electrifying debutsembrace escapism and get people talking. Heres a running list of our favorite books of 2020. Carrie pestritto the official manuscript wish list website. He does not represent young adult fiction unless there is an obvious overlap toward adult readers.
Im looking for high concept stories with a great hook. Reiko davis is a literary agent with defiore and company. From angie thomas highly anticipated followup to the hate u give to a book about a deadly fly flu to pamela n. A checklist for your high concept project might go like this. I have a strong preference for standalone books in my query inbox. Were here to talk about the best thing there is to talk about. It is about artful prose or experimentation with structure and typically tends to be internal, experimental and introspective. Samantha gentry, faculty workshops for childrens authors. Literary fiction, for example, is generally not high concept. And it looks like 2021 will be yet another year thats perfect for shattering all of your reading challenge records on every bookworms favorite social network goodr. Simon pulse new book releases, bestsellers, author info.
In ya fiction, shes seeking manuscripts with a strong, preferably comedic voice and a fresh premise no dystopias, please. Mar 26, 2021 from angie thomas highly anticipated followup to the hate u give to a book about a deadly fly flu to pamela n. Books marketed for the adult reader will be removed. Presenters and instructors the 2021 atlanta writing workshop. Delivering fresh, bold voices that inspire compulsive reading for teens and beyond. This is in contrast to low concept stories, which tend to be more characterdriven with less of an obvious narrative hook. For example, the concept for my 2008 book, in defiance of hitler.
Most people think that high concept means something thats very literary, artistic, and not commercialand the exact opposite is true. Hollywood abounds with blockbuster high concept films, as screenwriters search for the next unique idea that will create a legitimately novel. In addition to building her client list, she is focusing on packaging efforts, pairing high concept ideas and storylines with strong writers. Her interests primarily lie with middlegrade and young adult fiction of all typesfrom realistic fiction to fantasy with a special soft spot for horse and dragonrelated titles. I am avidly looking for new talent, particularly in the areas of commercial womens fiction, suspense, high concept young adult fiction, and anything and everything that keeps me up all night reading. What is and isnt high concept fiction, and how do you pitch it. By the way, i loved stiff, too, a great example of a high concept non fiction book. I believe nonfiction books can also be high concept books. High concept requires that the idea be unique or a twist on a familiar idea. The hardest part about writing high concept fiction is coming up with a killer premise. The 2021 atlanta writing workshop get your writing.
Because high concept ideas are known to sell better, faster and for more money than ideas that are not considered high concept. What is highconcept fiction, and how can i write it. You are currently browsing the tag archive for the high concept tag. The 2021 minnesota writing workshop online get your. Thomas cemetery boys was one of the breakout ya hits of 2020, earning a spot on the long list for the national book award and making history by becoming the first fiction book with a transgender protagonist written by a transgender author to hit the new york times bestseller list. Top childrens book agents accepting submissions in 2021. The term high fantasy was coined by lloyd alexander in a 1971 essay, high fantasy and heroic romance, which was originally given at the new england round table of childrens librarians in october 1969. A compilation of the best fiction for young adults. Thats my aim, with every book that i have a hand in. Levine is a literary agent and the founder of paul s. Emmy nordstrom higdon the official manuscript wish list. Sarcastic or endearingly selfdeprecating humor to the front of the line. Im trying to fit historical fiction not the kind with timetravel or alternate history, but real, wellresearched hf into the concept mold. High concept sounds like it refers to speculative fiction, fantasy, suspense, etc.
In adult fiction, shes looking for nextgen chick lit, genre fiction thats light and accessible to mainstream readers, and anything with a playful high concept. Ive seen high concept defined in different ways, but generally a high concept pitch has mass commercial appeal and uses references, whether from film or popular books, that most people are familiar with. While open to books for all ages, she is particularly interested in high concept commercial ya fiction with a strong and distinctive narrative voice, diverse perspectives, and a touch of romanceparticularly, edgy contemporary stories that tackle tough issue teens face in an authentic way, and own voices projects across all genres. Youve got an idea burning in your head and want to write a nonf. Four elements that make a book a high concept books.
Would the fall of richard iii, or the discovery of the west indies by columbus, count as high concept. Phone fiction spells the end of the professional novelist. Mar 06, 2019 he loves genre fiction, especially science fiction and fantasy projects. One could argue reading is the quintessential socially distanced activity. You can sum up a high concept idea in a sentence or two. Aug 05, 2011 high concept means the premise of your book will get attention, before anyone sees even one word of your writing. How to write a book that sells understanding highconcept.
May 21, 2020 the american young adult book market is remarkably, well, american. High concept means the premise of your book will get attention, before anyone sees even one word of your writing. Nov 08, 2020 a high concept story is one with a clear, easilycommunicable premise. It typically involves a premise that is easy to pitch and driven by a straightforward plot. Agents and editors are always saying they want a high concept story.
What is and isnt high concept fiction, and how do you. Oct 17, 2018 the hardest part about writing high concept fiction is coming up with a killer premise. I love a protagonist who feels like a coconspirator. Its high concept premise, however, lies in its world building as the story is set in a secondary world in which the fantasy big bad, someone like sauron in lord of the rings, has won and the good guys have lost. Nov 07, 2017 highconcept stories are easy to market. A similar novel, mistborn by brandon sanderson, is also a heist fantasy novel. Alex arnold senior editor is looking for high concept stories for the young and young at heart. If youre published, a high concept pitch is the hook you use to advertise your book, the way you describe it to handsell it, the sentence you use on your swag. High concept writing for kids while raising them tara lazar.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading got high concept. Just some really excellent ya books you need to know about. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Mar, 2021 in fiction, he seeks high concept suspense, book club womens fiction, literary fiction for adults through ya, and graphic novels for adults through mg. So, weve rounded up 11 mustread books to get you through winter 2020. Im breaking it donw, and offering my tips on how to write better high concept fiction.
If you want to commercially sell your work, having a high concept pitch is one of the best things you can use. Jun 15, 2016 when you are pitching your book to agents or editors, its helpful to have a high concept pitch. Its not about writing books so similar that no one finds value in buying more than one. When you send your query letter please also send the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of the email. In fiction, he seeks high concept suspense, book club womens fiction, literary fiction for adults through ya, and graphic novels for adults through mg. In ya, shed especially like to see genrebending, high stakes fiction that grapples with social justice in surprising ways. I want it to be just a little bit devastating to put down. With a focus on high concept commercial fiction, were proudly known as an imprint to push boundaries, to be daring and edgy and of the moment. Sep 24, 2018 high concept is not required to get published.
A highconcept premise is the essence of every good pitch, whether youre writing nonfiction, fiction including literary fiction, or childrens books. Aug 17, 2011 get the attention of a top book agent and publisher. Recently ive been listening to the thousandth floor series by katherine mcgee one of us is lying by karen m. But before we all start grumbling about how society has gone mad and everyone is naming. These amazing ya contemporary reads are begging to be turned into the next big teen romcoms, dramas and more. What are your novels movie trailer momentsperiods of high conflict or tension. Andrea walker the official manuscript wish list website. Heres exactly what you need to know to selfpublish your next book.
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