I am writing YA and so is everyone else

[Legrandsophie]

Hello to all the Mumsnet writers out there.

Does anyone else write YA and feel like the market is probably too over saturated for what their book?

I’ve been slogging away on my first novel for about two years and I’m starting to feel like there is no point in putting it out the query with agents.

Is this just an on rush of self doubt or is the YA market totally flooded?

I’ve been thinking on focusing on competitions instead 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don’t know, doesn’t it mean there is a strong demand? With tweaks (addition of more adult content) could it become New Adult or is that not much of a genre now?

Young Adult is a huge market - why do you think it's over saturated? Are you dealing with current themes and concerns?

I suppose it might just be doubts. The themes are focused on friendship and grief but through the angle of fantasy based on Welsh myth. Every time I see another book published based Arthurian legends and the Mabinogion I get the terrors that I’ve missed my chance.

It’s not helped by the fact that no one else in my life knows about it and I keep having these massive attacks of self doubt!

Apart from DH who only read Ian M Banks and whose only feedback so far has been to use fewer adjectives!

is there space in every genre for a great book? At least if you think it is 'saturated' with books close to your subject matter then you'll find it easier to answer the 'where will it sit next to in the bookshop?' question and won't have to develop a new audience.

Write the best book you can then try and sell it. Don't second guess the agent then publisher to the extent you give up.