Some Clarifications
I seem to have had a few toes eaten by lit bloggers since my essay’s been published. They’ve misinterpreted a few things, and several people seem to have mistaken my “surprise” and “confusion” at my novel selling as YA for hand-wringing disappointment. I wasn’t filled with hand-wringing disappointment. In reality, having a book that I labored on for 8 years finally find a publisher didn’t leave me and my loved ones sulking in my apartment. Let me assure you, there was champagne, there was complete and absolute relief and joy, and the thanking of various deities. I thought I should clarify a few other things about the essay too:
The article is only 1400 words, so a lot of information had to be left out, due to space limitations. I’m also the author of a YA series called Missing Persons, so this essay really is about this particular book, Cures for Heartbreak. I wrote Cures for Heartbreak as short stories originally, and many were published in magazines for adults. My surprise at it selling as YA was that as a writer, if I had intended for this book to be YA, I would’ve approached the material differently during the many years I was writing it. It has a lot of bad language and sex, and a reflective tone that I assumed would disqualify it from consideration as YA.
Some clarification on my agent’s “bad news” comment, as well: it was also in reference to the rejections it received from adult houses, and for the editor in chief not supporting the adult editors who wanted to make offers. My agent represents some amazing YA authors, so obviously she’s not ashamed of the genre. She was surprised as well that publishers viewed it differently than we did. It’s a strange business.
One thing I have to say here is that I’m a bit surprised (ok, not totally surprised, just a little new at this, since I’ve never published such a widely-read essay before) at the way in which people feel free to fling vitriol. One blogger commented “I wanted to punch the author.” Um, what?! I’m a very petite person–one might say completely unthreatening– and hearing that a strange man would like to punch me (even if it is metaphorically) and for him to admit it in a public forum…let’s just say it’s rather ungentlemanly, to say the least, and perhaps downright creepy. Anyway, I commented back and he apologized, which I accepted. Still, I think this disrespectful tone people take is really, well…disrespectful. I think if you wouldn’t say it in person, then don’t say it at all. (About the punching, my husband emailed him too and said, if he’s still interested in fisticuffs, he’d be happy to oblige. My husband is really big, people! You don’t want to mess with him!)
Anyway. As my friend Mike’s ten-year-old daughter says, “Whatev.”
Coming tomorrow: an interview with Markus Zusak!
Filed in Books 19 Comments so far
Kimberly on 21 Jul 2008 at 6:15 pm #
wow, I don’t know how people misinterpreted your article, especially since it mentions that you are currently at work on a YA book! Keep blogging and writing.
Helen on 21 Jul 2008 at 8:45 pm #
Margo,
Marshall was sufficiently miffed about said blogger’s pissing contest today and sent me the link.
‘Just let the vitriolic lit types (who are clearly green with envy) know that the entire Reid family is super large and “in charge” – so they need to back-off.
Grrrrr……
On a positive note – shaking things up ain’t half bad, eh? A bunch of my friends want a copy of the book. So, I’ve purchased another batch to send out.
Woohoo! My sister-in-law is a published author, an amazing mother and a great friend. What more could the world ask of her?
Love you, Helen
Little Willow on 21 Jul 2008 at 10:13 pm #
Don’t let people eat your toes!
It’s good that people are reading and responding – focus on the positive responses.
TadMack on 22 Jul 2008 at 6:53 am #
Whatev. It’s the right attitude, chica. We’re behind you. (And possibly behind your husband, since he’s bigger than us. But we have hard-toed boots.)
Vivian on 22 Jul 2008 at 8:37 am #
I’m with LW–don’t let people eat your toes….Er…there are fish for that sort of thing!
I didn’t find your article negative at all–it was well written and I know I’ve read similar types of experiences in the blogosphere and in print over the years. Yes, YA is hot now and growing, thanks to the talented writers out there and the teens who love to read.
And I agree, the market (and a well-designed book cover) does dictate whether a book will make it in the adult section or YA section, or whether it will have cross-market appeal. I’m not published yet and have already experienced some interesting comments when I tell friends and acquaintances I write YA. People have approached me to show me their illustrations so I could consider them for my children’s books. People have made the simple remark of, “Oh,” then change the subject as not to embarrass me.
Personally, I think there would be no greater reward than knowing I had book out there in the hands of teens and making a difference to them. (Like your letter from one of your fans in your article–wow!) Teens are a tough and smart audience, and for them to allow one of us adults into their world because something we wrote resonates with them, is an honor.
Okay, I think I just wrote my blog post. Sorry for taking up all this space and thanks for writing the article.
ed on 22 Jul 2008 at 10:21 am #
If you put such a foolish article out, edited or unedited, don’t expect it to be universally loved. Some freelancers, such as myself, work very hard with editors to ensure that clarity is maintained. There’s no need to play Pollyanna here. You were responsible for what you wrote. And if you can’t accept criticism, then you have no business being a writer. Furthermore, I find it irresponsible that you have charged a blogger with commenting, “I wanted to punch the author,” without SPECIFYING the blogger. Google Blog Search and Technorati do not reveal any such comment. That are you using an uncited remark to tarnish the blogosphere with an ignoble straw man is highly irresponsible.
Margo on 22 Jul 2008 at 12:08 pm #
Ed, I hadn’t added the links yet because I’m at the Sewanee writers’ conference right now (Porochista Khakpour is here with me and says hello!) with a sketchy internet connection and about 1 hour of free time a day. I’m going to add them now, if this connection will stop blinking out.
ed on 22 Jul 2008 at 12:56 pm #
No worries, Margo. Everything seems to have been cleared up at my place. (Say hello to Porochista back.) But I do worry about assertions being cast towards a medium based on a few comments, as well as this issue of accountability. I will say that, despite my criticisms of your article, which I still hold, I am glad to see you posting some of the outtakes here. Thanks.
Ayse Erin on 22 Jul 2008 at 1:34 pm #
@Ed: If your comment has been posted here after moderation, it clearly means that Margo Rabb can accept criticism. I don’t know her work yet, but the way she approaches her audience via this blog and the quality of its content make her everything but foolish (by the way, you didn’t explain at all why you found her article foolish, not that I care, but for someone criticizing an author for not being clear your argument doesn’t feel right).
Margo, I’m looking forward to reading the next interviews. Hope you have a nice time at the Sewanee writers’ conference.
Regards from Amsterdam,
Gwenda on 22 Jul 2008 at 2:19 pm #
Sigh.
(Also, your husband and my husband have similar reactions to such things.)
Susan on 22 Jul 2008 at 2:49 pm #
I enjoyed your essay very much, and it certainly made me think a lot. What I thought about most was how critical books for children and YA readers are. This is where it all starts! If there are people who are snobby about YA or who think it is more prestigious or important to write and read adult books, then they are being very short-sighted about where it all starts. There won’t be many adult readers to buy and read all those important books if we aren’t doing everything we can to produce excellent books for children and teens. I found myself thinking about some of the snobbery that has surfaced around Oprah and her book picks. At the end of the day, Oprah is getting people to buy and read books — and that has to be a good thing if not a terrific and wonderful and laudable thing.
Justine Larbalestier on 22 Jul 2008 at 11:03 pm #
Hey Margo, I’m so sorry you’ve had some nasty responses.
I do wish the Times had not cut your article down so much that only Alexie’s YA positive comments were left. But, surely, anyone reading could pick up that you’re dead happy to be part of YAland? I mean did they not notice that gorgeous and moving letter at the end?
A.S. King on 24 Jul 2008 at 7:42 am #
Having been through a nearly identical situation as you with The Dust of 100 Dogs (8 years, too!) I found your article really positive and uplifting – a relief from the debates and the insulting tone that YA discussions usually attract. I can’t understand how anyone had trouble interpreting it as anything other than a positive and informative article on your experience, and a realistic overview of some of the things YA authors experience. I find it disappointing (but not surprising) that a blogger wrote that he wanted to punch you. But people will misinterpret things to suit their own needs, I guess.
I never whined about landing in YA (how could I? It’s such a great place to land!) But I did have to adjust my aim and learn about a cool audience I’d never thought much about before.
If this makes me punchable, then I’ll be out back, ready to fight.
Heather on 24 Jul 2008 at 8:56 am #
Margo,
Im sorry you’ve had some worked up responses too. I, as one reader, breathed a a great sigh of relief when I read your article, just to know I wasn’t alone in so many of the feelings and reactions you talked about… and felt inspired again when I came to the end… thanks for writing.
bookfraud on 24 Jul 2008 at 1:44 pm #
welcome to the wonderful world of interactive media, my dear.
on the other hand, the fact you stirred up a hornet’s nest shows how well read it was. we could all wish for such a reaction…
don’t get sloshed on gin and tonics, which i understand are drunk in excess at sewanee…
Deeker on 24 Jul 2008 at 3:50 pm #
It strikes me as odd that bloggers are misreading what is clearly an indictment of the prejudice against YA. May I suggest they all read an SAT-prep book, concentrating on the reading comprehension segment? Or wait…would an SAT-prep book be considered YA?
Carleen on 24 Jul 2008 at 7:20 pm #
I read the essay on Sunday without once feeling like you were complaining or having a pity party. Sorry the thing blew up on you.
Emilie on 26 Jul 2008 at 4:49 pm #
Hey Margo,
I think your husband is awesome for emailing the “punch” guy. I dig what you’re saying too about people getting a bit carried away in on the Internet because it feels a bit less real, more free, etc. and they say/do things they may never do in real life. Kudos for you to talking with him and…good of him to apologize.
Honestly, I don’t see what anybody could be upset by in your essay. It was amusing, insightful and appropriately honest.
Still a big fan of your M.E. Rabb series and wishing you’d write another… ;”) *ALWAYS* a fan of yours.
-Emilie
Margo on 30 Jul 2008 at 6:18 pm #
Kimberly, Helen, Little Willow, TadMack, Ayse, Gwenda, Susan, Bookfraud, Carleen, Deeker, and Heather, thank you so much for your supportive comments!
Vivian, I loved that link. Fish pedicures?! I love pedicures, but with….fish?? I’m surprised PETA hasn’t gotten on their case yet.
Justine, I was totally surprised the article caused any controversy at all. I think some YA writers didn’t realize the article is written toward the older-adult-literary audience, who really don’t know much about YA.
A.S. King, it’s interesting that you had the same experience, too–thanks for sharing it.
Emilie, thanks! The lack of accountability online is still sort of weird to me….but whatev.