Is it my query letter or the subject matter?

[Paul West]

I've finished writing a historical young adult novel set in the 1960s. I've sent out well over 100 query letters, all with form rejections, if the agents sent anything at all. I can't believe it's my query because I've had it critiqued to death and the latest round of critiques the people who looked at it thought it was great.

So, that leads me to the second part of the question posed in the Discussion Title above. Could it be the subject matter? I've been told YA novels set in the 1960s are a hard sell. Still, I've seen YA novels set in the 1950s that have done well, even winning literary awards. Is one decade all that different?

[Paul West]

That's an interesting take. I hadn't quite put it that way, but it's pretty close to what my book portrays.

I'm still pondering your previous post, however. So don't think I'm ignoring you. It's the weekend and I don't get much time to work on my books on the weekends.

Catch ya Monday, or at least I'll try to.

[Jessica Milar]

Hi Paul,

Since you're pondering, how about this. Your book sounds like it could be an intriguing YA thiller. I think if you're going with the angle that Mark wants revenge, it makes me think this could be really deep. I mean, if he's worried about going off to war because he opposes it on religious grounds, but when his parents are killed he struggles with taking a rifle and offing the kid who took his parents life, then the whole will he or won't he kill? is a very important part of your character's make-up. Plus it sets up a coming of age scenario, though I know you say Mark's nemesis kills himself, perhaps after trying to drive Mark to commit the act for him, though Mark chooses not to.

[Paul West]

Wow, Jessica. Are you ever perceptive! You almost have my entire novel figured out. That's a pretty close synopsis. I'll try to expand on my story when I get a chance.

Thank you for your help.

[Paul West]

OK, for clarification purposes, let me give you my story line in brief - a one-page synopsis, if you will.

Mark witnesses his family burning in an auto accident on the Carquinez Bridge. The person who caused it drives away. Mark vows to get even if he ever finds the culprit. He moves in with his grandmother and near to his cousin Gary’s house. Gary is an anti-Vietnam War activist. Mark is not a draft dodger. He only wants a student deferment.

At a dance, Mark steals Genie away from Jeff. Jeff and his buddies already hate Mark because they think he’s a draft dodger. They beat Mark up, sending him to the emergency room. While they’re in juvie, Mark and Genie fall in love. When Jeff gets out, he vows to get Genie back, even if means killing Mark. Jeff lies to Genie that Mark is two-timing her, and she breaks up with Mark.

At the urging of a girlfriend, Genie goes out with Jeff one more time. It turns into a drug party where Jeff's best friend is killed on the bridge. Jeff blames everyone but himself, and vows to get even with everyone, including Genie, if she won't be his "chick." Genie realizes too late that Jeff lied to her and wants Mark to forgive her, but Mark has a date with another girl who asked him out.

Jeff has a gun and kidnaps Genie. He lures Mark and Gary on a slow car chase that ends on the bridge where Mark's family died. Mark and Gary find Jeff holding Genie with his gun to her head. When he aims at Mark, Genie jumps in front of the gun, taking the bullet meant for Mark.

Mark wrestles the gun away from Jeff, but before he can pull the trigger, Gary tells him the truth of what happened. He was the one who caused the accident. In the dark, Jeff escapes and jumps off the bridge before anyone misses him.

The paramedics take Genie to the hospital where she recovers slowly. Mark asks why, and she answers by asking why he has to ask. He then asks her to the next big dance, and she says she'll go, even if it's in a wheel chair.