And BTW Jane, your title “THE DEVIL’S ARITHMETIC”… really great one. Gotta read it.

To me, it’s considering the potential audience for a story–not trends. Most of us would reject out of hand a picture book about hemorrhoids. There is no market for that (at least not for children), no matter how much the topic resonates for you personally.

So, when I consider the market, I ask myself whether anyone would relate to this idea. Some people might write wholly out of their hearts without regard to making a connection with others, but it seems to me you are as likely to get a work of insanity as a work of genius that way. Some people (ahem Jane Yolen) will produce the works of genius. Others (c’mon, you’ve met them at conferences) write the literary equivalent of tinfoil hats.

However, I have on occasion been able to JUSTIFY a book to a publisher using marketing ideas, but those come long after the book is written or proposed.

If I considered the market before or as I work, I would never have written OWL MOON or THE DEVIL’S ARITHMETIC.

Jane

… except that as a writer/illustrator I CAN get my characters and situations and places on paper, and tinker with them as I write. That is how I work.

Everyone works differently which is good. Variety is the spice of life.

I come from a background in advertising as an artist but I wrote a lot of copy and headlines, and know that people notice provocative and intriguing ones. Sometimes catchy ones. I suppose that parents/guardians/buyers are drawn to that if they are in clear view. It makes the buying easier. When people have lots of choices for books they automatically (for the most part) pick what is easy and intriguing, and of course with subjects their kids will love and content they both can enjoy and appreciate.

Now what I say is all about first time authors and/or illustrators. I suppose known authors have a leg up…especially if they are popular (not their legs… altho they may help).

And celebrites get special treatment…bleh.

The only thing I felt was a tad odd on this list is… “Where does the author live?”

Um… if one lived in Bora Bora under a rock, the publishers would still find you and if needed get you on a book tour or at least to a couple of Bora Bora Book signings.

For my first novel, I wrote the book first and found I wasn’t able to market it. I didn’t have a one-sentence hook. The plot was not strong enough. So from there on out, I have made a point of writing the one-sentence hook and the flap summary and the three-page synopses first. I try for a great title, too. And only when I have several of these in place and think, “This can hook an editor and eventually a reader,” will I write the book.

The next question is, I suppose, “So, Sally, how’s that working for you?”

Ummm…yeah….

But really I’m getting a lot farther now that I was before. It’s just a matter of time, now.

I keep the market in mind when I’m brainstorming. I have to make sure my ideas really are fresh and not being subconsciously pulled from the shelf of cliches or what’s already been done. After that I do my best to tune out all the voices and just write. I’ll pull the judgment back after a few drafts.