I'd written my first novel for adults, which was called…
“I'd written my first novel for adults, which was called Basic Eight and was set in a high school, and we were having a devil of a time selling it. It ended up in the hands of an editor of a children's publishing house, for which it was entirely inappropriate. She said, "Well, we can't publish this, but I think you should write something for children," which I thought was a really terrible idea.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author’s adult novel was mistakenly sent to a children’s editor, who suggested writing for kids—a suggestion the author found absurd.
In simple terms: A publishing mix‑up led to a ridiculous suggestion.
Key Takeaway
Stay true to your intended audience.
Themes
publishing
miscommunication
creative integrity
Mood
frustrated
reflective
Type
industry
personal
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- editing processes
- publishing education
Key Concepts
genre expectations
authorial voice
Questions to Reflect On
- How would you handle such a mismatch?
- What safeguards can prevent it?
A Different Perspective
Misunderstandings can delay a project’s release.