Back to Home > Courses and Seminars > Writing (and Selling) The Young Adult Novel

Writing (and Selling) The Young Adult Novel

How to write a teen beat

Course is closed.
Writing (and Selling) The Young Adult Novel

WHEN
Sunday, Jan. 28, 2-5 p.m.

WHERE
offices of mediabistro.com
West Hollywood, Calif.

MORE INFO
Email us, or call (310) 659-5668.

PRICE
$65 ($50 for )
more info

Course Details

Teen novels are recognized as an important money-maker at publishing houses. In fact, 400 are printed each year! In addition to being huge sellers, they're also important parts of a teenager's life. After all, didn't Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret change your life just a little bit? If you relate to preadolescents and teens on their own levels, without being patronizing, you might be the next Judy Blume.

If only you knew how to get started.

Whether you want to write series of YA novels (think: Sweet Valley High or the Babysitters Club series) or you want to write a stand-alone novel that will change teen lives forever (think, well, Forever), this 3-hour seminar has it covered.

In this introductory seminar, you'll learn how to:

  • Write a teen-novel proposal
  • Write a proposal that doesn't end up in the slush pile
  • Stay away from clichéd teen topics (and what those are!)
  • Figure out which publisher is right for your book
  • Figure out if you need an agent (and, if so, how to get one)
  • Get the clips (yes, you need clips!) to prove your skills to editors
  • Plot your story line
  • Develop intriguing teen characters

Instructor Bio

Kerry Madden's Courses

No courses available at this time.

Kerry Madden
Kerry Madden's critically acclaimed novel Offsides, (published by William Morrow) was selected by the New York Public Library as one of the Ten Recommended Books of 1997 for Mature Teens. Her second book, Writing Smarts: A Girl's Guide to Writing Great Poetry, Stories, School Reports, and More! (published by American Girl Library) helps kids craft their own stories and poetry. Her debut children's novel, Gentle's Holler (Viking Children's Books) is the story of a young girl from the Great Smoky Mountains set in 1962, coming to terms with life in a large family and her desire to create her own adventures beyond the holler. Gentle's Holler received starred Kirkus and PW reviews and was a New York Public Library Pick for their 100 Books for Reading and Sharing in 2005. The Chicago Public Library also included Gentle's Holler on their 2005 Best of the Best Bibliography. It was also one of the 2006 SIBA Book Award Children's Nominees. Gentle's Holler was a PEN USA Finalist in 2006 and received a Mark Twain Nomination for the Missouri Association of School Librarians. Released with Recorded Books in 2006, Gentle's Holler and her companion novel, Louisiana's Song, were published in the spring of 2007, and the third in the trilogy of Smoky Mountain Books, Jessie's Mountain, will be published in 2008. Louisiana's Song has been nominated as a finalist for the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association award.

Testimonials


Teen Beat: Write That Young Adult Novel was exactly what I needed to get motivated and start sending out my query letter. The class let me know I was on the right track. As it was my first course with mediabistro, I was very impressed by the class size and instruction. My YA manuscript is out to a number of agents and hopefully I'll have representation soon! -- Courtney Brandt, freelance writer

"Kerry was extremely warm, positive and open. She was really open about sharing her experiences and information in a trusting and unguarded fashion. The examples and books she brought were also quite helpful." -- Cecilia Lee

"Kerry Madden's optimistic spirit made Writing and Selling the Young Adult Novel memorable. There's no angst in her workshop- just encouragement, positive energy, and refreshing candor about her own journey to being published. The in-class writing exercises kept me on my toes! Kerry fostered a space that was creative, spontaneous, and healthy for open discourse. Her course on the YA novel is terrific with a capital T!" -- Leticia Sanchez, freelancer

AvantGuild* Discounts on mediabistro.com courses are just one of the wonderful benefits of being in AvantGuild, our premium membership program. For just $59 a year, you'll receive instant access to our How to Pitch articles and other premium articles, transcripts from selected seminars and panels, and discounts on virtually everything we do (including eClasses and the Freelance Marketplace)! Click here to join now.