Book Review: Writing And Selling The Young Adult Novel

Review of: Writing And Selling The Young Adult Novel by K. L. Going

Who should read this book
New writer interested in YA
Journeyman writer curious about YA

Who should not
Experienced writers

Review
This is a good starting book -- about 70% of the content is writing 101 stuff--the kind of things you might see in writer’s digest, or on the writing track at literature or genre convention.

Only about 30% of the content is relevant to writing YA vs. writing in general. It gives a taste of YA, the kind of stuff that is interesting for people deciding whether or not to write YA. However there is no meat--this will not help someone writing YA write it better.

Also, the format is gimmicky--arranged as ‘periods’ to mimic high school. The gimmick adds nothing, and I found it annoying.

Bottom line
A good starting place for a beginner.