Oh, thank you! I'm so glad you're getting value out of the newsletter. :-) And agreed. Contests can be great motivators and there are some good ones out there, for sure.
”...would certainly explain how Crave, a YA vampire fantasy with shocking, and I mean shocking, similarities to Twilight, not only got published, but also got picked up by Universal Films, pre-publication….”
Isn’t this boarding on plagarism?
”....at least make note of the professionals participating. Use them to make a list if you’re ever interested in submitting because these are the professionals who are often much more hungry for new talent…”
As far as Crave, no, it's not plagiarism, per se. But (and I'm only about 1/3 of the way through the book) in the story, you have: Loner girl being whisked away to (it's a boarding school instead of small town, in this case), but she immediately catches the attention of mysterious Bad Boy who works, oh so hard, to avoid her for mysterious reasons (insert eye roll here.) Despite this, he's still inexplicably and undeniably drawn to her. And then he ends up saving her over and over again as their attraction to each other grows. Throw in an attractive nice guy who befriends her, and who it seems is being set up as the third in a love triangle, and it all feels very, very familiar.
I know there's a lot of overlap in YA Vampire Lit., as far as tropes are concerned. But the parallels are so strong that even the author has a couple of meta-moments where, winking at the reader, she mentions Twilight by name. 🤦🏽♀️
Thanks as ever for your wonderful informative newsletter. I am especially grateful to you for highlighting the Sunday Times crime-writing contest, which I will definitely be trying my hand at.
That's wonderful, David! The contest sounds like so much fun, is not too overwhelming in its requirements, and was fairly hidden, so hopefully competition won't be too fierce! I've not read Elizabeth George's books yet, but I LOVE the Inspector Lynley TV series. I've got my fingers crossed for you! :-)
You blow my mind everyday! Thank you for all the tips, entered my first contest this year and it was quite fun. I’m definitely looking to enter more.
Oh, thank you! I'm so glad you're getting value out of the newsletter. :-) And agreed. Contests can be great motivators and there are some good ones out there, for sure.
Thanks for all the contest links and tips!
”...would certainly explain how Crave, a YA vampire fantasy with shocking, and I mean shocking, similarities to Twilight, not only got published, but also got picked up by Universal Films, pre-publication….”
Isn’t this boarding on plagarism?
”....at least make note of the professionals participating. Use them to make a list if you’re ever interested in submitting because these are the professionals who are often much more hungry for new talent…”
Thanks for the tip!
As far as Crave, no, it's not plagiarism, per se. But (and I'm only about 1/3 of the way through the book) in the story, you have: Loner girl being whisked away to (it's a boarding school instead of small town, in this case), but she immediately catches the attention of mysterious Bad Boy who works, oh so hard, to avoid her for mysterious reasons (insert eye roll here.) Despite this, he's still inexplicably and undeniably drawn to her. And then he ends up saving her over and over again as their attraction to each other grows. Throw in an attractive nice guy who befriends her, and who it seems is being set up as the third in a love triangle, and it all feels very, very familiar.
I know there's a lot of overlap in YA Vampire Lit., as far as tropes are concerned. But the parallels are so strong that even the author has a couple of meta-moments where, winking at the reader, she mentions Twilight by name. 🤦🏽♀️
Oh, and you're welcome on the tip. I hope to bring you many, many more! :-)
Ouch 😂
This edition was chock full on interesting and helpful info. I'm really enjoying this newsletter, Paula.
I'm so glad you're getting value out of it, Jackie! :-)
Thanks as ever for your wonderful informative newsletter. I am especially grateful to you for highlighting the Sunday Times crime-writing contest, which I will definitely be trying my hand at.
That's wonderful, David! The contest sounds like so much fun, is not too overwhelming in its requirements, and was fairly hidden, so hopefully competition won't be too fierce! I've not read Elizabeth George's books yet, but I LOVE the Inspector Lynley TV series. I've got my fingers crossed for you! :-)