Authors & Reviewers discussion

Is it realistically possible to get a novel traditionally published if it was written by a teen? Just looking for honest opinions.

It is a one in a million shot...but so is getting published at all. You lose nothing for trying, and it is an achievement in itself for someone so young to have the manuscript to even try. Go for it, we wish you luck.

The road to traditional publishing is really hard and long for the vast majority of authors, no matter their age. Generally speaking, the prevalent advice is not to bet that your first book will get your an agent, or your second, or your third. Many people need the practice of writing several books (7-10) to hone their skills enough to get an agent for traditional publishing, and that's discounting the factor of luck involved. (I personally know five absolutely phenomenal authors who are having trouble getting agents simply because the books they write are not in vogue currently and the agents aren't sure they'll be able to sell them.)

The above replies adequately answer this question, I think, but I'll put in my two cents.

I am actually a teen author, and I've had a bit of experience with traditional publishing, even though I'm only self-pubbed. Trad is difficult no matter which way you look at it, because (1) you need experience, which a teen just can't have, and (2) you usually need an agent, which is as much of a gamble as the publisher itself.

But there are always exceptions. Your age isn't something agents and/or publishers ask about, so it's basically a moot point. What they're interested in is your credentials, your experience, and the quality of your novel. To get an agent, you need to present a resume that they can sell to a publisher. If you've been writing for ten years (but you're only 17), that looks pretty good. If you've written blogs for a business, won well-known story contests, etc., then that looks even better. They want to represent writers who have written acceptable material that other people have enjoyed or can endorse. A teenaged friend of mine is currently on track to be represented by an agent, which should soon lead to publication. She keeps up two blogs, and I'm sure she has other writing credentials. Plus, her manuscript is marketable--and that's the biggest ticket, to be honest.

However, you don't always need an agent to land a publisher. (Although not having one makes legal issues issues.) Some companies accept unsolicited proposals, queries, or even manuscripts. Harlequin is actually one of them. You can do a web search and find hundreds of publishers willing to check out an unsolicited proposal or manuscript. With my debut novel, I actually started out by sending an unsolicited query. The editor I interacted with actually knew my age (I was thirteen at the time), but she still requested a proposal. Needless to say, nothing came of it, but not because of my age or even my writing itself. (I've later come to see that my proposal was, uh, rather embarrassing. Plus, I had no credentials at the time. Now, with several self-published works, a few contests, and a blog under my belt, I would probably have better chances at traditional publication.)

As the above reply has mentioned, one of the kickers to getting an agent or publisher is how marketable your book is. Agents won't represent a book that they don't think they can sell--and that doesn't depend on how good your book is; it's all about what the market wants. Publishers won't publish a book that doesn't fit the market--it's just not good business, at least with the mindset most people have today. If you can sell your book to an agent or publisher by presenting good credentials, quality writing, and a marketable image, then you'll have better luck at receiving representation or publication.

I do recommend self-publishing when you're just starting out, to help expand your portfolio and hone your writing skills. Get a few books out there and see what they do before you try for traditional publication. (That's kind of my plan.) However, if you're aiming from trad now, then I say go for it! Don't forget to examine the market and learn how to write a proper query and proposal, whether you're sending them into an agent or directly to the publisher. And be sure to find an agent/publisher that fits your book. Don't shoot for a big-name company or agent just because you think they'll have better reach for your book and more cash for you. Sometimes, they're the most likely to turn you down, simply because of the market. Also, do your research. Traditional publishing means a lot of legal issues teens aren't prepared for. I should know! Make sure you're ready to work your butt off and be rejected thousands of times. It's often not you or your book that people reject--it's simply that it doesn't fit the market. If it were you or your writing, they'd tell you.

I hope this helps and that I haven't TMI-ed you!

Thank you all so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it!

Hello wrote: "Thank you all so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it!"

You are so very welcome!

At fifteen years old, I was offered a publishing deal by Harlequin. At the time I had only been writing two years. I had no agent. And yes I did my research. I am a researcher by nature. I sent the first chapters to Harlequin and was surprised that they wanted me. And yes I'd been rejected several times by other publishers before that and after. So it is possible. I turned down the deal not because it wasn't very lucrative (because it was) but because I didn't want to be pigeonholed into writing just one genre or to change to fit their standards (even though it was my unique writing style and unique storyline that hooked them) which eventually would've happened. I wanted full control over my writing career. Four colleges later and thirty years of experience. I have published myself and other authors. I do everything and I mean everything a publishing company does solely on my own. I got my books on Amazon myself. And will be doing more. And yes I have made money on my books. I do my own marketing and promotion and advertising.

I have backgrounds in those and in computer science, computer business, literature, English, foreign languages, history, nursing to name a few. And I have award winning books on another social media site besides this one. I blog. And I give young authors advice on how to market and sell their books,. I always get asked how and I don't mind telling them. I also promote and market their books for free because I know how hard it is when you have no one to walk you through.
So it is possible.

And yes I've been offered other publishing deals since then as well. But I haven't accepted them. This is a journey not a sprint. My success may not be your success.

I worked so long and hard to get to this point I am now. And rejection is always there but I've come so far and have lasted in this business for so long. But I'm also doing other things I want to do besides this but dreams do come true. So hang in there and don't give up.

Angel wrote: "At fifteen years old, I was offered a publishing deal by Harlequin. At the time I had only been writing two years. I had no agent. And yes I did my research. I am a researcher by nature. I sent the..."
Wow, thank you for the inspirational advice! I can't believe you were offered a publishing deal at 15, that's amazing! Can I ask of the books you've written?

Lucia wrote: "Angel wrote: "At fifteen years old, I was offered a publishing deal by Harlequin. At the time I had only been writing two years. I had no agent. And yes I did my research. I am a researcher by natu..."

You welcome. Do you mean genre or how many books I've written?

Angel wrote: "Lucia wrote: "Angel wrote: "At fifteen years old, I was offered a publishing deal by Harlequin. At the time I had only been writing two years. I had no agent. And yes I did my research. I am a rese..."

Both

Too many. Over 1,656 and counting. But published. Two on Amazon. Five on Wattpad. I mix several genres in each of my books. Mystery/Thriller, Steampunk, Horror, Suspense, always multi-diverse, multiracial books, Teen to Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Science-Fantasy to name some.

Angel wrote: "Too many. Over 1,656 and counting. But published. Two on Amazon. Five on Wattpad. I mix several genres in each of my books. Mystery/Thriller, Steampunk, Horror, Suspense, always multi-diverse, mult..."

Wow! Any advice to a newer aspiring writer?

Lucia wrote: "Angel wrote: "Too many. Over 1,656 and counting. But published. Two on Amazon. Five on Wattpad. I mix several genres in each of my books. Mystery/Thriller, Steampunk, Horror, Suspense, always multi..."

Keep honing your craft. Building a following doesn't hurt. Join groups here or other reading and writing sites. Be active as much as possible in these groups but as a reader. Learn from other authors and readers.

Angel wrote: "Lucia wrote: "Angel wrote: "Too many. Over 1,656 and counting. But published. Two on Amazon. Five on Wattpad. I mix several genres in each of my books. Mystery/Thriller, Steampunk, Horror, Suspense..."

Thank you

Lucia wrote: "Angel wrote: "Lucia wrote: "Angel wrote: "Too many. Over 1,656 and counting. But published. Two on Amazon. Five on Wattpad. I mix several genres in each of my books. Mystery/Thriller, Steampunk, Ho..."

You welcome.