not in the usual way.

[aamcnamara]

Via Gchat:
alena.mcnamara: *maybe just really wants a Big Climactic Magic Duel*
alena.mcnamara: ...is that so wrong?
alise.adae: naw.

I may have a plot for the novel from last summer, by way of discussing thematic elements partially with aliseadae and partially by rambling on at myself (and aliseadae) about possible events. At least, it needs fleshing out in several directions, but I have a direction and a general outline and some events and why each of them happens.

I am, per last post, uncertain whether I intend to submit this as a YA-YA novel to Medallion. We'll see where I am in two weeks, I guess. It would be neat to be published, also to get money for something I had written, however I have little interest in being anyone's Token Teenager. So. (edit: Input would be welcome? I waver on this choice.)

(And I still need a more specific outline. And some work on the setting. And figuring out the precise details of this secondary character's backstory... but plot is progress.)

Comments

[alecaustin.livejournal.com]

Assuming the book is in a place where you wouldn't mind showing it to people in two weeks' time, it'd probably be worth sending it in just to see what happens.

Just because their motives are more about helping promote whatever book they end up acquiring via the 'sensational' fact of its author's youth doesn't mean that it isn't a good opportunity.

(Besides, and I say this with total sincerity, there's a good chance that what you submit will, in fact, be better/more interesting than what others do. Assuming the opportunity cost of finishing your draft in time isn't too great, there's no point in letting someone else win by default, is there?)

[aamcnamara.livejournal.com]

True. I think I am probably just going to forge along, see where I am in two weeks, and... re-evaluate then. Thanks.

[notadoor.livejournal.com]

If the deal they're offering is comparable to what you'd get submitting through regular channels (like it's not a rights grab, etc), then I'd go for it. Publishing is hard. Making money at it is hard. There's nothing wrong with exploiting your age to jumpstart your career.

(And if not your age, they'll find something else to exploit ... e.g., JK Rowling's "single mum on welfare writing in cafes for warmth" thing.)

[aamcnamara.livejournal.com]

True enough! The main thing will be, I think, whether in two weeks I have something I would be comfortable showing anyone. If I had something ready to be sent out, I'd likely be less conflicted about the whole thing--revising a novel in two weeks is a different kettle of fish. But we'll see how I do, and then if I do have a draft, I'll probably throw my hat in the ring just because.