Q&A: Any special rules for teen writers?

Chihuahua Zero asked: What should I do differently when sending a query letter to an agent or an author? Should I state the fact that I’m underage? And how would I be able to sign a contract? Do I get the same rights than any other author if I had someone else sign it for me?

Unless your age is central to the book idea (ex: How I Raised My Triplet Siblings), there is no reason to share your age in a query or cover letter. Write your query letter solely based on your story idea. Make it strong for that reason alone. If you are going to be published as a teen, your writing needs to be as good as those authors being published right now. We’re all competing for the same publishing slots. And I’ve never known a teen writer to get a special break because of their age.

After you send in your query letter, if you are invited to submit more of your book, do so. I don’t see any reason to mention your age until an agent or editor offers you a contract. I’m no expert at contracts, but it may be important that the publisher know if you are under eighteen. Yet I asked a few teen writer friends who are published, and they all said that the contracts they signed did not require a parent of guardian’s signature.

There is no reason a teen author should receive different rights or less money because they are under eighteen. It’s always wise to have an agent look over your contract before you sign it so that you know you are getting a fair offer. Contracts are confusing, and you don’t want to sign on for a bad deal. So be careful.

Now, if you are at a writer’s conference and meet an editor or agent face to face, you can’t hide your age. So play it up. Use it as a marketing strategy. Be bold and personable. Say, “My age is a major asset to any publisher. I have the free time to promote my book. I’m excited to visit schools and talk to students about being published as a teen. Readers will relate to my journey.” Things like that. If you are confident and your writing is great, no one will care how old you are.