Fiction book category

[shipwrite]

My completed 119,00 word novel is set in the 1970's and incorporates some "cameos" by real-life American authors and artists. It was originally written as an adult book with a teenage narrator but after more rejections than I can count I began submitting it as a YA novel. Unfortunately I have been no more successful. I have reduced the length already to the 119,000 word length, but it is just a long story to tell. Any ideas for either making further cuts or changing categories? Thanks.

[jcwrites]

A novel containing cameos purportedly written by "real life" authors would probably invite lawsuits from said authors. No publisher would want to run that risk.

[TigerAsh]

A novel containing cameos purportedly written by "real life" authors would probably invite lawsuits from said authors. No publisher would want to run that risk.

 

[JTSHEA]

You don't give us much info to go on. What YA category do you mean? Are you getting any feedback with the rejections? Using real-life people could indeed be a problem, but many writers have done so by fictionalizing the characters. What matters then is how positive or negative the portrayals are and how thick or thin the disguise.

[CatManDoo]

A novel containing cameos purportedly written by "real life" authors would probably invite lawsuits from said authors. No publisher would want to run that risk.

Actually, if the person who is making a cameo is a celebrity or very well known or dead, it may not be a risk of any kind. It may depend on what is said, but often famous people or public figures are fair game. Would consult a lawyer or your agent when you get one. Would not cut out your cameos until you discuss with a professional...