Young Adult Publishing Vs Adult Publishing w/ Brandon Mull — Intentionally Blank Ep. 169
Aug 28, 2024
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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.
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.
Editorial Differences in Feedback
Authors notice a stark contrast in the feedback they receive from editors across different age categories, particularly between adult and middle grade markets. In adult publishing, the feedback can be blunt and harsh, which can sometimes feel discouraging to writers, with editors using succinct and critical comments that may seem abrupt or unkind. In contrast, editors in the middle grade sector provide more supportive and constructive feedback, often accompanied by positive notes and encouragement to improve the work. This difference not only affects the authors' mental health but also shapes the overall creative experience, influencing why many writers prefer to work within the middle grade realm.
Navigating Genre Expectations
The conversation touches on the restrictions that publishers often place on authors regarding genre and audience expectations, emphasizing the difficulty of branching out into different styles or age categories. Authors may feel pressured to continue writing within a successful genre, as publishers prioritize maintaining a proven brand identity, fearing financial risks. Those who manage to break out often face challenges, such as losing a significant portion of their audience when transitioning between categories. The podcast underscores the importance of balancing artistic integrity with commercial viability, as authors navigate their creative aspirations amid industry pressures.
Opportunities for Expansion and Collaboration
The hosts discuss opportunities for authors to expand their reach and explore different forms of storytelling, such as collaborative projects and multi-platform series. They share experiences with collaborative works like 'Spirit Animals,' illustrating how such ventures can enhance an author's brand and introduce them to new audiences. While this approach can be creatively rewarding, it also poses challenges, especially when maintaining the integrity of individual storytelling voices. Ultimately, the podcast highlights the necessity for writers to seize unique opportunities while remaining true to their individual styles.
Brandon Sanderson and Brandon Mull sit down to chat about how there are major differences between Young Adult Publishing Vs Adult publishing and some of the more interesting changes between the two of them.
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