Hi everyone,
Just a real quick miniblog for you today, courtesy of my fabulous agent, Kristin Nelson.
One of the most frequently asked questions I hear from teen writers is that they want to write, publish, etc but they don’t know how their age will affect that.
Specifically, I hear “can I get a book published if I’m only 12.” Or 14. Or…you get the idea.
I’ve blogged about this issue from time to time, and then today Kristin posted something on her blog that summed up a lot of my thoughts on the subject–thoughts that I’ve never put into words before now.
And now, thanks to Kristin, I don’t have to.
So go read it. Go read it now.
-Ally
ps…the short answer: Your age doesn’t matter. THE BOOK matters.
Say it with me: The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters. The book is all that matters.
emma says
May 15, 2010 at 7:45 pmsneak peak at GG4, you might want to check out the back of the GG3 paperback. #surprises” and i almost died! is there a sneek peek of GG4 in the back?! if so are you ever gonna post it on the blog because i would love to read it! i bought GG3 in hard cover (i preordered it and read it the first day it was out) so my parents wont let me buy the same book in paperback and i have been waiting almost a full year for GG4 so could you please preety please with teenage spys on top post whats in the back of the paperback online?
Mia says
May 16, 2010 at 2:38 pmHey
im only 11, and i have writen at least 4 300pg novels.
( and when i say 300pgs, i mean 300 typed pages)
and my grandfather, who was an auther, has read them and has said that i should become an author. am i too young? or not?
i have alot of free time, so i can write alot
aspecialperson!:) says
May 17, 2010 at 12:50 amno way! thats soo cool. you should try and get it published. GOOD LUCK!
Natalie says
May 17, 2010 at 1:29 amThanks sooo much Ally! You answered my question!
I have been writting stories since I was 8 (Not real stories, I used to write like 10 pages stories with white paper and my big and bad writting lol). So then like when I was 12 I figured out that been a writer is what I was born for. And I have to say it, thank you sooo much Ally, with your advices and your books, you inspire me a lot! Now I’m almost 14 and I’m writting my first novel(and I’m having a good progress), and idk, but right now what I write is for my own enjoyment, even thought I have a really trusted friend and my mom and they say that I’m a good writter.
Thanks for the post Ally!
Paige says
May 23, 2010 at 4:45 pmWow, I’m so glad.
I’ve been wondering about something important for a long time now though.
I have this book written (well, actually I’m writing it with a friend but whatever)
How do you write a query letter?
Sammy says
May 24, 2010 at 8:34 pmUm… Her blogs called Pub Rants. If you switch the first letters you get Rub Pants š tee hee. But anyway I thought that was really helpful and wise. Thanks guys š
TheBlueSkink says
May 27, 2010 at 2:32 pmYES! That’s what I keep telling people. THE BOOK IS ALL THAT MATTERS! Way to go Ally! =)
Alexis says
July 8, 2010 at 7:56 amAlly you’re an awesome writer and you clearly have an excellent imagination. I’m very thankful that you don’t write about vampires like just about every young adult author in America. I had never even considered wanting to be an author (I’m more of a math kid myself) until I read your books. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks and you’re a great role model.
jadie says
August 4, 2010 at 4:36 pmhey ally i just wanted to tell you that i thought all of the books were amasing bug my favorite is Only the good spy young ( I have read it like 5 times) i was wondering about your inspration for the characters, where did they come from? did you base them off of people that you know or did you just start writing and everything just clicked? i cant decide if i want to be a writer, people say that i am really good but i also want to be a director or an actress any advise? have you ever been through something like this if you have let me know please. Jadie
Olivia says
October 21, 2011 at 2:08 amOh my gosh! I hate reading! But when I catch myself skipping over sentences, trying to get to the next chapter. WOW! I love these books so much, I am actually jealous of Cammie. This is kinda wierd, but you wrote what I want my life to be like! It’s just so cute! I want to meet Cammie, Zach, and everyone so much! It would be amazing! Great job on these books! They are amazing!
š Olivia