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Hi, Sara,

Thanks for posting. First I’ll say congratulations on your book. I’m someone who knows what an accomplishment it is at 14. Second, I’ll have to tell you that I’ve had to make it my policy not to read other people’s work. I get too many requests, and must decline. There just isn’t enough time.

Next, I’ll tell you exactly what I tell people who ask for advice on assessing their own manuscripts: Find someone you like and trust — a parent, a favorite aunt, a special teacher, a sibling, or a real friend, and ask that person to read your work and to give you an honest opinion of it. (First make sure you want one — you will if you have faith in what you’ve written.) Be prepared for everything from “It’s awful” to “I loved it” to “It still needs work.” But know that you’re getting the truth from them. That’s the most important thing.

Good luck, Sara. I hope to be writing you a fan letter one of these days.                        —–Gordon Korman—–