READER’S FORUM

October 26, 2025 at 05:53 pm Reply

Silas S.

Hello, Gordon, I'm unsure if you remember for I haven't been on the forums in quite a while. I come back to tell you I've finished writing my first novel and I've edited it by myself and also asked some teachers from my school about the writing and grammar and things of that nature. I am so glad people like it but I don't know what do next about publishing and agents and everything because I'm barely 14 so it'll be complicated. I know you were young when you started, too, so any advice would help me so much.

Thanks,

Silas S.

P.S.: happy late birthday.
October 27, 2025 at 02:27 am Reply

Gordon

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Hi, Silas,

Congratulations! Finishing a novel, and having people approve of it, is a giant step. I can't tell you what to do. I can only tell you how it worked for me, and remind you that it was (gasp!) 50 years ago!

I chose Scholastic, mostly beause they were the only kids' books publisher I really knew about, and they had an office just outside of Toronto, which is where I lived. I packaged up my book and wrote a covering letter, telling a little about me and about my story, and asking if they would please read it. They did, and liked it, and that was over 100 books ago. I have several publishers now, but I'm still with Scholastic.

I don't know if that would work today. Many publishers won't read manuscripts that don't come through literary agents. But you can try. Or you can look up a literary agent who might be willing to give your work a look. There are books that list all publishers and agents -- books on writers' markets. Try your public library.

I wish you tons of good luck, Silas! Please keep me posted! -----Gordon Korman-----
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Hi, Silas,

Congratulations! Finishing a novel, and having people approve of it, is a giant step. I can't tell you what to do. I can only tell you how it worked for me, and remind you that it was (gasp!) 50 years ago!

I chose Scholastic, mostly beause they were the only kids' books publisher I really knew about, and they had an office just outside of Toronto, which is where I lived. I packaged up my book and wrote a covering letter, telling a little about me and about my story, and asking if they would please read it. They did, and liked it, and that was over 100 books ago. I have several publishers now, but I'm still with Scholastic.

I don't know if that would work today. Many publishers won't read manuscripts that don't come through literary agents. But you can try. Or you can look up a literary agent who might be willing to give your work a look. There are books that list all publishers and agents -- books on writers' markets. Try your public library.

I wish you tons of good luck, Silas! Please keep me posted! -----Gordon Korman-----