First up, we have an interview with the incomparable Jessica Barnes, of Waterbrook/Multnomah. I’ve actually met Jessica and she’s fun to talk to about YA – she’s a true fan of the genre which makes her ideas something to really listen to.

Tell us a little about yourself!

Well, I’m an associate editor with the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, and I work mostly with our fiction line. If I wasn’t doing this, I’d probably be a veterinarian. (My college career took a very sharp turn about halfway through.) My only claim to fame is that Edward James Olmos once hugged me.

Are you actively acquiring YA? What’s on your wish list as far as YA Novels go?

I, personally, am very interested in YA (if you look at an average list of the books I read per year, probably 65% of them are meant for twelve-year-olds). We’ve got a good bit of fantasy at the moment, so I’d really like to see a quirky, humorous contemporary novel. Something like Carl Hiaasen or The Diary of Adrian Mole, Age 13 3/4.

Are there any common problems/mistakes that you see in YA manuscripts?

The writing is aimed too young. Kids are smart, and if you’re talking down to them in your book, they can tell. Even if you’re writing a middle-grade novel, for 8-12-year-olds, the writing isn’t that much behind a teen novel or your average adult novel. Yes, some titles in this age range are on the simpler side when it comes to writing (those aimed toward the 8 end of 8-12), but plenty of them can be picked up and enjoyed by an adult (say, an associate editor at your friendly neighborhood publishing house) with the only major clue that it’s a “children’s book” being the protagonist’s age.

Basically, don’t try to “dumb down” the writing. Just tell the story.

As far as Christian content goes, what do you look for?

Personally, I like my Christian content on the subtle, organic side, which means the faith element

stems naturally from the characters and who they are. In other words, don’t force a character to stop in the middle of the climax to pray because you think you need more Christian content in your Christian novel. It will inevitably feel like you were trying hit your Christian quota. Let it the story flow and the faith come where and how it may. It’ll be there.

Do you participate in any conferences where writers can meet you face to face?

We do. We usually have a representative at the Writing for the Soul conference, the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Mount Hermon, and ACFW. Occasionally, someone attends the Philadelphia or Oregon Christian Writers conferences, as well.

Any other bits of advice you’d like to share with YA writers?

It has to be about the story. If you’re writing your book because you want to teach kids something, then your agenda is going to overshadow the characters and storyline, and that undefinable spark that accompanies a good story will be missing. And without that spark, the story won’t stick with your reader. Just tell us a story. The rest—themes and meaning—will come.

Thanks Jessica!!