Research, research, research. I have been doing lots lately. I’m in search of agents to query. This isn’t my first time. But yay me! After years of practice, I have become a quick-study combing through online resources: Manuscript Wish List (MSWL), QueryTracker, PublishersMarketplace, AgentQuery, Reedsy Marketplace, agent websites, interviews with agents, etc. Researching agents is being a detective – double-checking information; sleuthing for key words and phrases to find ones that fit the theme, plot, voice and vibe of my picture book and young adult novel; and running through agent’s social media posts.
One thing has stayed the same. It’s very tedious work. Very!! And there is no short cut. But I am always learning, especially when I see unfamiliar words and phrases on MSWL Some I need to know; others pique my curiosity. So, I thought I would share my latest “glossary.”
AYKB – Stands for “As you know, Bob…,” a technique writers often use to reveal important background information without taking readers out of the story.
BAME – Stands for Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (writers).
Complex dynamics – Can mean complex characters or dynamic relationships between characters. When creating “complex dynamics,” here are tips for creating your characters: Find out what matters to them. Free write, play with characters to understand their complexities. Explore their backstory. Use characters’ surroundings to develop them.
Dark academia – Set in an elite school with old, crumbling gothic architecture, a dark library, eerie common rooms. Students wear uniforms and enjoy discussing art, literature, philosophy. Typically, there is one group of students that set themselves apart – by choice or through prejudice. Recommend: THE RAVENS (series) by Kass Morgan.
Dead genres – In the words of an agent, “I want the genres everyone says are dead. There is absolutely still room for ‘dead’ genres.”
DEAI – Stands for Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion.
Epistolary novel – Fiction written in the form of letters or other documents, such as emails, journal entries, texts, etc. Recommend: YOURS FROM THE TOWER by Sally Nicholls
Escapism – Stories with big characters, high stakes, and ideally, a happy ending. Recommend: DRAGONFRUIT by Makiia Lucier.
Fabulism –Stories that have fantastical elements entwined with the everyday perfectly ordinary – and don’t explain why. Recommend: THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF EVER AFTER by Emily X.R. Pan.
HEA – Stands for Happily Ever After.
Head hopping – When a writer hops between different characters’ perspectives (“heads”) within the same scene.
Intersectionality – Describes the way people’s social identities can overlap. Coined by Columbia law professor Kimberle Crenshaw: “It’s basically a lens, a prism, for seeing the way in which various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other.”
LitRPG – Stands for Literary Role-Playing Games, a genre combining the conventions of computer role-playing games with science fiction and fantasy novels. Recommend: Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones 1 by Dem Mikhailov.
Lower YA – category of young adult fiction aimed at ages 11-13. Typical elements: 1) Likeable protagonist with hints of heavy family topics/issues. 2) Mostly happy, resolution filled ending. 3) High school setting and first love type romance. Recommend: LUCKY IN LOVE by Kasie West.
Middle YA – category of YA aimed at ages 14-16. Typical elements: 1) Traumatic protagonist backstory. 2) Protagonists have a clear identity outside of their family. 3) More diverse, dynamic supporting characters. 4) Romantic relationships with more intimacy and meaning. Recommend: THE NAMES THEY GAVE US by Emery Lord.
Upper YA – category of YA aimed at ages 17+. Typical elements: 1) Protagonist out of high school or close to graduating; navigating post high school life; could be living on own. 2) Deeper introspection of protagonist’s flaws, strengths, wants. 3) Higher stakes and consequences for protagonist’s actions, decisions. 3) Romantic relationships with physical intimacy and/or focusing on long term. Recommend: THE REAPPEARNCE OF RACHEL PRICE by Holly Jackson.
Message novels – The author has a specific agenda – a message. Written to specifically promote an idea or concept.
Mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors – Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, known for her groundbreaking research and advocacy for diversity and representation in children’s books, pioneered the concept that all readers must experience “seeing” themselves (mirrors), different perspectives (windows) and “stepping into” the experiences of others (sliding glass doors).
Selkies – Mythological creatures from Scottish folklore. They shapeshift between seal and human forms by removing or putting on their seal skin. Recommend: TIDES by Betsy Cornwell, SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA by Terri Farley.
Mind-boggling? Sure is. Every phase of writing is mind-boggling. But I keep soaking up support, like the recent advice from one of my author-mentors: “Work hard, work harder. What comes will come.”