Himanshi asked 8 years ago
Hi Polly
I read the ‘Beginnings’ post on your agency website. It was mentioned there that the kind of YA stories where the protagonist makes a trans-atlantic move one summer are off-putting. I was about to send my query to you but considering that my protaganist is an Indian teenager who goes to Bibury where the rest of the story unfolds, I was wondering if it’s something in particular that you dislike about such plots?
Chelsea Eberly Staff answered 8 years ago
Hi Himanshi
Your question has made me smile because, actually, my colleague Sarah Davies wrote that fab ‘Beginnings’ post, so I am tempted to blame her for your confusion!
In all seriousness though, it’s a good question. The short answer is that I don’t mind at all if a protagonist makes a trans-Atlantic move one summer. But I do agree with what Sarah says: this sort of opening for a YA novel is extremely common. I am therefore only ever going to be excited by the writer that does something different with it. Do bear in mind though that Sarah’s point is really about the opening of the book, not about the setting.
I hope that helps you? Thanks for getting in touch.
Polly