On a forum I monitor…but no longer participate in because of the she-trolls, this revelation came to light. And, folks, if this is publishing, anyone who doesn’t write “titties and beer” is in trouble. Here’s the gist of it, and, should you desire, here’s a link to the author’s post: http://querytracker.net/forum/index.php?topic=987.msg31321#msg31321

A reputable NYC literary agent was queried by an author with a Middle Grade novel. The agent requested a partial, then a full manuscript. Within a couple of weeks, the agent called the author to say she liked the story, and there was an editor at Random House who she wished to approach with it. However, the agent wished for a few changes, 90% of them of which the author complied with. But the last 10% were undesired by the author. What were they? To sexualize the book’s eleven-year-old main character “with a dash of homosexuality tossed in.” The agent wanted the book to be “edgier,” you see. Why? “Because that is the trend right now.”

The author refused, uncomfortable adding in things that she wouldn’t want her own children reading. The result? The agent declined to represent her and her work.

WOW. If it’s true…

(…and, since I’m not privy to the inside evidence, I can’t say with certainty that it is, but it sure sounds real),

I’m disgusted!

Recently:

• Writing Pedagogues
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• Infighting About Grammar & Punctuation
• Scary Writers
• New Novel, Chapter Two
• To the Book Store
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• Back from Summer Hiatus