The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing for Young Adults

by Deborah Perlberg

This comprehensive guide introduces aspiring storytellers to the ins and outs of writing fiction and nonfiction for young adults. Information includes an overview of writing, from dialogue and point of view to plot, setting, and character construction; choosing an agent and publisher; marketing the finished work, and more.
Written by an experienced author who has written, edited, and published books for young adults Features writing exercises, anecdotes, and insider information According to a 1998 survey report of the National Center for Education Statistics, young adults between the ages of 12 and 18 represent 25% of all public library patrons YA is a popular and lucrative genre for aspiring and seasoned authors alike, both in fiction and nonfiction

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2006

Reviews

[Cyndi Tefft · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really just a book on writing with a paragraph here and there about YA. I know it's "the idiot's guide" and all, but I was hoping for more of a teen focus. It's not that the content was bad; it just wasn't as YA-centric as it should have been to claim that title.

And the cover has little kids in jammies? Seriously?

This is not what YA fiction is about.

[Scarlett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was useful in reminding me of things I already knew but did little to introduce new information. I ended up getting quite bored and skipping the explanations in literature and just read under the subheadings I thought would be useful for me. I do believe it would be a good book for someone to read were they looking to write a book but I do not believe reading the whole thing is necessary.

[Bib · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my favorite book ever

[What Angie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should buy this because I will continue to use it.

[P · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish this one. It was far more basic than what I wanted in terms of general writing advice - it covers basic plot and character structure (and there are better books for that!). I was expecting more of a YA spin and it doesn't have that enough to be interesting to me. What discussion of YA there is is sparse and general and may actually be more suited to upper middle-grade.

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. I'm just sick of writing books that want to be a complete book of how to write a book.

I expected more specialization from this book instead of a review of every writing class I ever took. Only chapter one and chapter eight were about actual YA writing.

Borrow this from the library, don't waste your money.

[Michelle]

I found this book to be written more for young adults than about young adult writing.
It breaks down the basics of basics when it comes to writing.
I'd recommend this book for young beginner writers
Perhaps the tag on the cover should read "Expert tips for teens who love to write"

[Brooke Watson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't think it had enough that was specific to writing for the YA audience. Too much general writing technique. Oh well.

[Tiara King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well laid out and informative for those considering writing for kids or young adults.