Truly important math...and a question
How busy is this week? So busy that I'm doing more today than most people do all week. I'm like those old Marine commercials about doing more before 9 a.m. before most people do all day. Except I don't do anything before 9 a.m. if I can help it, so instead I should have a commercial proclaiming that I do more after 11 p.m. than most people do all day. That'd show them.
Already today I've...
Driven three miles
Spoken to 60 ranchers
Waded through a whole lot of mud
Washed the mud off of my car
Washed the mud off of my shoes
Set up a conference call with my editor
Had a call with my agent
Googled something really cool and important that I can't talk about yet
Checked into a hotel
Configured wireless internet for the hotel
(to be fair, the shoe washing off part was supposed to go here)
Listened to half of THE PRINCESS DIARIES volume 1 as read by Anne Hathaway (to be fair, this actually was going on during almost all of the rest of it.)
Read all about how Anne Hathaway used to suffer from depression
Got ready to work.
That's right. I'm through with job #1 for the day and getting ready to start on job #2.
But enough about me.
Right now I'm more interested in you and, as I was very recently discussing with my agent, your thoughts on Learning to Play Gin and Cheating at Solitaire.
You see, there's a really important math formula that, to date, I haven't shared.
It goes something like this...
LYKY Sales * (some factor of LYKY sales) = Gin sales + Solitaire Sales.
In short, there seem to be a lot more of you out there who have found my YA books than have found my adult books, and we're kind of wondering why that is.
So, if you will, some questions (please feel free to email or comment your answers)
1...have you read Ally's books?
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
okay. Long blog. I can now add that to the list. And I just called the hotel restaurant to learn they don't do room service, so I'll get to put "got in car to go get takeout" to the list as well.
And it isn't even 11 p.m. yet.
nighty night,
Ally
Already today I've...
Driven three miles
Spoken to 60 ranchers
Waded through a whole lot of mud
Washed the mud off of my car
Washed the mud off of my shoes
Set up a conference call with my editor
Had a call with my agent
Googled something really cool and important that I can't talk about yet
Checked into a hotel
Configured wireless internet for the hotel
(to be fair, the shoe washing off part was supposed to go here)
Listened to half of THE PRINCESS DIARIES volume 1 as read by Anne Hathaway (to be fair, this actually was going on during almost all of the rest of it.)
Read all about how Anne Hathaway used to suffer from depression
Got ready to work.
That's right. I'm through with job #1 for the day and getting ready to start on job #2.
But enough about me.
Right now I'm more interested in you and, as I was very recently discussing with my agent, your thoughts on Learning to Play Gin and Cheating at Solitaire.
You see, there's a really important math formula that, to date, I haven't shared.
It goes something like this...
LYKY Sales * (some factor of LYKY sales) = Gin sales + Solitaire Sales.
In short, there seem to be a lot more of you out there who have found my YA books than have found my adult books, and we're kind of wondering why that is.
So, if you will, some questions (please feel free to email or comment your answers)
1...have you read Ally's books?
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
okay. Long blog. I can now add that to the list. And I just called the hotel restaurant to learn they don't do room service, so I'll get to put "got in car to go get takeout" to the list as well.
And it isn't even 11 p.m. yet.
nighty night,
Ally
posted by Ally Carter at Tuesday, February 06, 2007
22 Comments:
maybe cause i'm not an adult?
but i"ve read adult meg cabot books but when i have it's cause i didn't realize they were adult books
better get back to writing about famous women of Poland
1...have you read Ally's books?
yes..
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
just her YA
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
well cuz i dont like the way she discribes them they dont sound like the kind of book i would read
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
yes..but only a fwe and cuz she has more of what i like to read
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
just YA unl;ess im with my mom (not often)
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
I like to read about teens its much more intresting cus it feels like it could actually happen
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
i truly dont no like i only know tooo YA and Adult writers..so
1. yup
2. both, but the adult books came later and only because I had read the YA book
3.--
4. Nope, cuz I figure they're adult for a reason. I only read yours cuz you swore they were apporpriate! (And they were, props for that!)
5. no, just YA. I'll look in specific categories, though, like mysteries or classics.
6. Umm, I don't realy mind reading about either. I guess I like hip adult books (like yours)
7. Ummm??? Stick excerpts in the back of the YA books? Put in an "also by Ally Carter" section? I honestly only really found out about your adult books by finding your website.
Hope that helps!
1...have you read Ally's books?
Yes
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
Both (read all three!)
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
n/a
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
Yes on Meg Cabot, but that's because I love all her books. Other authors it just depends. But if I like an author, I will read anything they write, no matter what genre or age range its for. In fact, I've found I've discovered new types and genres I hadn't thought I'd like, merely because one of my favorite authors wrote one. And then I found similar books.
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
Yep! But I usually buy online much more than going in a store. And I work at a library, so I see most books there.
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
I'm an adult most days, but I love reading both YA and adult books. Since I work at a library, I can say that many teens read adult books as well. In fact, when I was a teen that's all I read.
However, I think it's harder for them to find books, though. They aren't as used to searching out books as some adults. Why do I think this? Because at our library, teens aren't as open to "shopping" around for books. Such as ordering them from another branch, or trying to find something in the catelog. They look on the shelf and don't ask for anything else if they can't find what they want (not all of them, but most of them). Which is why I think they often read stuff suggested by a friend. Anything they can get to easily.
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
I read your YA first, because that's the title and concept that captured me the most. After I read it, I read your other stuff, merely because I liked LYKY. I think writing good books is the most important. I think many teens if they like your book enough will find you on the Web. Like I said before, though, they read what's easy for them to find and get. Having a movie made from your book definitely couldn't hurt getting your name out there, either. But you have no control over that.
Just my thoughts. I could be right or wrong, since I'm not a teen, I can't say for sure.
1: yes
2:just LYKY- the YA books
3: i read LYKY because i was on another Author site and she suggested it and it sounded really cool. I mean spies..hello! also i saw it in the bookstore so i just baught it...i haven't seen the Audult books, if i did i would buy them.
4: i haven't but i would like to
5: yes i do...but i browse the YA section more often.
6: depends..but for the most part i think teen characters appeal more to us than adult characters because we can realate.
7: advertise in the back of YA books...like sometimes they have lists of other books by similar authors...that works. get other YA authors to blog about them if you can.
8:
1...have you read Ally's books?
Yes, b/c Kristin Nelson recommended them on her blog and I want to submit to her after I finished revising my novel.
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
both, but I read your adult books first, but I'm an adult and they interested me more. Solitaire had a concept that I loved and Julia James is a great character. I only read LYKY after I liked Solitaire.
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
n/a
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
Mostly, I don't read a lot of YA authors, although I am open to it. I haven't read any of Meg Cabot's YA books, but did enjoy Size 12 is Not Fat.
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
Neither. I usually only browse the fantasy section.
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
When I was a young teen (around 14-15 years ago) I tended to read some adult books, but it was also easy to find books in the fantasy section with younger characters. I was leery of reading something too adult, which happened to me several times and made me very uncomfortable.
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
I agree with the others who have said to list them in your YA books. Perhaps you could also have a letter on your Web site to young fans and their parents specifically addressing the fact that your adult books are rated PG. :-)
I have read all of your books. I don't normally look in the adult section at all and did it only because I knew. The book had to be ordered as well(the sequel at least)
I normally like o read about teenagers but I am not anti-adult. The best way is to market it together. Like in the new print or something say by the author of cheating at solitaire, becaiuse the inserts in the books are so common I never look at them, I assume it is the same publishing company or something. Good luck!
1...have you read Ally's books?
Yes
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
both
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
I read and loved them both
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
nope
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
yes
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
both. Well, at least my friends and I like to read about both
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
advertise the adult books in the YA books
~Cat
1. Yes.
2. Just LYKY so far
3. I've looked for your other books in bookstores, but they never carry them. I've been meaning to ask them about this, but haven't gotten around to it.
4. Don't read Meg Cabot's adult books; most of the time I don't know which YA authors I read have adult books.
5. Usually I browse the YA section more than the general fiction section (though browse through fantasy and other adult sections)
6. As I'm not a teen, but read YA, I enjoy reading both.
7. I'm not sure.
1...have you read Ally's books?
yes
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
both
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
n/a - in general though if I haven't read the YA and Adult it is becuase I haven't discovered them. I was reading somewhere that Jayne Ann Krentz was bemoaning the fact that the readers if some of her pseudonyms (genres) won't read others. I think some of us are very genre loyal and we know what we are getting with YA.
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
yes
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
yes
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
As an adult who still reads YA too, I generally find the YA to be more humorous. Sometimes adults are just too depressing - less monogomy or a need to introduce some sort of deeper ethical issue.
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
I would guess my space and other web resources...it was your blog that introduced me to your adult titles after stumbling across LYKY at the library and loving it.
1...have you read Ally's books? Yes
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both? So far, just LYKY; I have to get the cards series
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why? I haven't made a point NOT to read the adult titles, if that makes any sense, but LYKY was the first I heard of your lovely works!
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot? I don't read Meg's books any more. I liked some of her early series as Jenny Carroll. I rarely read adult romantic comedies. I DO read full catalogues of authors I love, no matter where their books are shelved, like Christopher Golden, Neil Gaiman, Tom Sniegoski.
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections? Yes, always
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens? Yes
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors? Re-pub in teens (the more expensive publisher-related option) or cross-merchandise (the easy bookseller-related option) displays and shelves
I love both series' and I'm a YA,but most of my friends don't so much want to read about an adult.They would rather read about someone in high school or college, because that's much closer to them. I looooooooove your books!
1...have you read Ally's books?
Yes
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
I've read all 3 of them!
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
N/A
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
Yes, I do.
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
Yeah, and I spend a bit of time browsing my library's website and amazon.
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
I like to read about both - the teen stuff is fun, but now that I'm getting old, I like reading about adults too.
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
I'm not really sure. Personally, once I find an author I like, I'll go ahead and read everything they have out. I saw LYKY at the bookstore and was intrigued by the cover/description, and then after reading it, I couldn't wait to read more stuff by you, so it just seems natural to me that people will seek out your other books.
1...have you read Ally's books?
Yes
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
Only the YA
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
I guess I'm more interested in reading about people my age, although I did start Solitaire and thought it was very well-written.
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
I don't think so. Which are her "adult" books?
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
No-- just the YA. (Although I did take a detour to find Solitaire, but couldn't find it. I ended up asking the nice guy at Customer Service to get it for me.)
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
I can only speak for myself, but I definitely want to read about 15-year olds, not 35-year olds. It's just hard to relate to someone who's thinking about marriage and kids and work and everything. That sounds like my parents, you know?
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
Place them in the YA section, maybe? If Solitaire and Gin really could be for teens, Ally, maybe you could talk with Barnes and Noble and Borders and see if they'd shelve your books in both sections (this may be, like, impossible or something, but I think it would be a good idea.)
1. Yes!
2. Just her YA.
3. Well, I'm a teen. I don't read many adult books, because they're harder to relate to. Also, I find most adult books I pick up to be filled with sex and stuff.
4. Nope!
5. I may browse adult sometimes, but mostly YA.
6. It depends on the teen. Some of my friends like reading about adults. Some don't.
7. As many others have said, excerpts in the back of your book would be good.
1...have you read Ally's books?
Yes
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
Y/A
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
They sound interesting and I'd like to pick them up some day, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Y/A is my favorite genre and I first heard about Ally in regards to the Y/A, so I started there.
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
I read Meg's, but only because I saw them on a special display at the book store. Usually I forget that my favorite Y/A authors have done adult books, too.
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
Yes
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
I like to read about both.
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
Too bad all of an author's work can't be shelved together. That would make it so much easier to find. I guess maybe an advertisement in the back of the Y/A book or a mention in the author bio?
1...have you read Ally's books?
Yes.
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both?
Just YA.
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why?
I own LYKY, but haven't seen a copy of the adult books.
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot?
I don't believe I do, but it depends on your definition of adult books.
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?
Just YA.
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens?
Mostly teens, but young twenties isn't bad.
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors?
erm... Ads in the front of the book.
Adult reader here (20s). I've read LYKY but not the others.
I found LYKY through Kristin's blog & thought the spy gimmick sounded cool (and it was :) ). The adult books are not the sort of thing I'd usually be interested in (primarily focused on relationship issues) so I haven't looked them up.
I can answer for one other reader, too. My 14-year-old brother read LYKY and enjoyed it -- I think you can figure out why he's not interested in the others!
ok i read mostly teen novels. I have read LYKY and not Learning to Play Gin but i mostly hang out in the teen section or on-line. I sometimes read adult novels but i found them online and they sounded good. I don't read as many adult novels because i just don't. I don't pay attention to them as much. I have not read ur adult books because i don't really have much money because i spend it all on buying books and my parents do not give me money and that means i have to use my own which leaves with not much money at all. So i have a problem.
I read your question and then was searching the internet about another of my favorite author's websites and I came across this about why this author likes to write young adult over adult which could probably have the same effect backwards (why more teens read young adult books). Hope it helps.
1) I get more fan mail. When adults read a cool book, they don't Google you, find your site, and then write to say they loved it. Not nearly as much, anyway. Which is sad.
2) Being a teen author means I can switch genres. Younger people are more eclectic readers. Yes, another gross generalization, but it's true. Most teens don't care whether something is fantasy or sf or a mystery or a non-fiction book about sharks; they just want to read something cool. I know too many adults who only read in one genre, or even one author!
3) Young Adult books have a longer life span. For some reason, bookstores get rid of adult titles as fast as possible. But books for teens and kids stick around on the shelves for longer. They have time to find their audience without having to go on Oprah.
4) Teens talk to each other about the books they like. There's a lot more communication among younger people about everything they like: books, music, clothes, whatever. This is great for authors, because it means (again) we don't have to go on Oprah to make a living. (Quick note: I'd love to go on Oprah if asked.)
5) The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world. Um, did I really just type that?
6) Teen books make more money. For this one, I would like to publicly thanks J.K Rowling, every single day of her life.
#1-yes
#2-just YA
#3-im not an adult
#4- no
#5-rarely
#6-no idea:i guess it would depend on the readers tasts
#7-i dont no there is a lot more young adults reading than adults because of school and stuff
1...have you read Ally's books? the first 2 GGs
2....were they her YA book or her adult book(s) or both? YA
3...if you have read her YA but not her adult books, can you say why? i saw the first in a store so i read it and it was really good so i read the 2nd it was good too but i never really thought about reading the adults because most of the time there are reasons theyre called adult not young adult although ive considered reading them too
4...do you read the "adult" books of other YA authors like Meg Cabot? no not really i dont normally read books like this but the GGs were really good im a fantasy girl
5...do you browse in bookstore adult sections AND YA sections?no YA, at the library
6...do YA readers want to read about adults too or just teens? i dont kno i just like fantasy but i think most of them did have teens in them, i think adults like books about adults and YAs like books about YAs, maybe thats because we can relate to our own age level better
7...what's the best way to make teens aware of "adult" books by YA authors? i dont kno
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