With that said, during the last week, I have heard several people making many of the same comments I have said for a while now. I always like hearing this because it just confirms I haven't been too far off the track. The comments lately have all dealt with paranormal and YA. Now, I should note, that as I reviewed these comments, I have to say, many are dealing with both at the same time.
Both markets are simply flooded right now and, unfortunately, this flood is really coming from stories that are all doing the exact same thing over and over again. There is just nothing new out there! With the YA market, every writer out there seems to think the only story out there to write is a TWILIGHT knock-off. Somehow these writers seem to think their story is completely different. This is far from the truth!
This should give you a clue. During the last three days, almost every YA I had submitted to me was a paranormal YA. Nothing new! Oh sure, one was demons and angels, but in the end, it was still an angst ridden teen story with paranormal twists to somehow justify this weird behavior. Sorry, but this is just not going to work.
So what else do we have in the YA market? Oh yeah, GOSSIP GIRL knock-offs! Are you getting the idea now?
As far as the paranormal market goes, I have to say, I called this one a while ago. Sure we love those paranormal twists, but there is simply nothing new coming out or being submitted. You've heard me say this over and over again but demons and angels are nothing more than vamps an werewolves with different names. I think others are starting to see that as well.
The thing is, all of us are desperately looking for something new and refreshing, and, at the same time, well written. This is the most frustrating element. I hear great ideas and then the writer blows it with a story that just sits there flat.
I still say you can't predict what will be the next great thing, but I think my approach is a pretty good one. Find out what is not out there and aim for that niche. Don't create something bizarre, but find a way to bring in a bit of what is selling now and spin it into a new genre. What is it really about the TWILIGHT stories that is attractive? Figure that out, dump the paranormal, find a genre and run with it.
As for me, during the last round of submissions, these are things I asked to see more of:
- Paranormals that had alternate world ideas. Really a blend of urban fantasy with that dark gritty side of the vamp and were stories.
- YA's that read like big adult contemporaries.
- Adult Contemporary with real people. Stories had premise of powerful women's fiction but without the stereotypical baggage.
Scott
