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Intentionally Blank

Young Adult Publishing Vs Adult Publishing w/ Brandon Mull — Intentionally Blank Ep. 169

Aug 28, 2024
Brandon Sanderson, a bestselling author known for his epic fantasies, and Brandon Mull, celebrated for his children's literature, delve into the vast differences between young adult and adult publishing. They share candid tales of navigating feedback from editors, revealing how emotional the editing process can be. The duo discusses balancing artistic integrity with commercial demands and their experiences collaborating with publishers. With humor, they explore the challenges faced when transitioning beloved stories into trilogies and the impact of market trends on publishing.
31:23

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The stark differences in feedback between adult and middle grade publishing significantly impact authors' mental health and creative experiences.
  • Navigating the genre restrictions imposed by publishers poses challenges for authors seeking to maintain their unique storytelling while exploring new opportunities.

Deep dives

Exploring Middle Grade and Young Adult Publishing

The podcast delves into the distinct worlds of middle grade and young adult publishing, highlighting the differences in audience engagement and editorial approaches. Middle grade books are typically given to readers by adults, such as parents or teachers, while young adult novels are often sought out by teens themselves, indicating a desire for autonomy in reading choices. This shift in responsibility for selecting books is characterized by a transition from gentle themes of crushes and innocence in middle grade to more complex, edgy narratives in young adult literature. As such, authors must understand these nuances to effectively connect with their intended audience.

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