Too Scary to Publish?
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Hey hey
So I'm working on a book this summer (i think) about a boy that's afraid of the dark/ghosts/spooky dreams. Basically, me when I was a kid.
I've done some images that I like the look of, but I know a publisher will probably not love the idea of a book this scary.
I posted online about it, many people were supportive. I also did an interview recently with Flavia Drago on this subject (horror in kids books, what goes too far and what notes do you get from publishers..).
In a Dark Dark Room...is a favorite of mine, def an inspiration.
My current publisher might be fine with it, which is great. But I just worry that pushing the boundaries on making it a touch too scary will mean I'll get lots of notes.
I could also just self publish it through Amazon which would be interesting, and probably net me way more money
My last book had some inappropriate moments that I had to fight for, and I know this one would be an uphill battle.
What do you think? Do these images go too far?
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Also, for this project im scanning in ink doodles that Ive applied a wash to and then colouring them with procreate.
Some scans..
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@kylebeaudette these are great, mate. For me I think they strike a good tone. I'm no expert, but it seems best to go too far and have to bring it back a touch. I wouldn't worry. I've always really loved your out-there stuff.
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It's really hard to predict what will give people nightmares. I was really susceptible as kid, like the Gremlins movie I enjoyed but was also frightened of, and 'under the bed' became a bit scary growing up.
Also take Death from the Puss 'n Boots animated movie (which is great if you haven't seen it). Yes he looks a bit threatening but in a horrifying way? Not really. My friend's brother's kid got nightmares from this character, mostly because of the scary blades he's carrying
I'd suggest checking out 'Eerie Tales from the School of Screams' and use that as a kind of benchmark, as it was recently released and has reviews around online. e.g. here's a spread I found from that book:
Cool that you spoke to Flavia Z. Drago, I'm sure she had plenty to say on the matter.
There's also classic dark illustrators like Edward Gorey, would the Gashlycrum Tinies get published today? Probably not. Would kids love it? Yes.
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Honestly, I kind of thought your work was more children's book for adults, haha. But I think I see your issue here because there are a few images in there that I can see someone pushing back against unfortunately. But there is a part of me that says go for it anyway because I think those things that do push boundaries a bit are the things that have the real potential to be remembered the most.
It's sort of how I have lots of friends who are parents and they hold back showing their kids movies they loved because they don't think their old enough for them. Movies like The Dark Crystal, Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, Return to Oz, etc. But I feel like those movies hit us so hard and are remembered so fondly precisely because we saw them before "We should have".
Not sure if that applies really to a children's book though and ultimately it's up to parents what they buy for their kids. But I want to say go for it, push the boundaries.
Draw, Draw, Draw, Draw and Draw Some More!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levisimpson55/ -
@Jason-Crowley yes, love school of screams. Graham got away with a lot there. I have it in my classroom
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@Blitz55 yeah, a lot of stuff i loved as a kid was less than appropriate. Goonies, Stand By Me, spooky books...
There is stuff like that out there today, but there's so much more in the way now when you try to publish this stuff.
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@kylebeaudette in my opinion if you’re going for the older kids like middle grade or chapter books, I think you’ll be fine
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Consider for a moment that there was a time when “Scary Stories to tell in the dark” was always checked out from the library in grade school, and we couldn’t get enough of it.
There may be some adults who push back on this stuff, but kids absolutely love it- and the scarier the better.
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@Blitz55 While I definitely want to get into the 'picture books for adults' world, this one would be for kids
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@kylebeaudette
Well, as you know I'm a HUGE fan of your work. I think the only thing I have issue with are the word "kill" I just find it too strong. I think kids don't go that far in thought process when dealing with their fears. Even something more like " he moves...we grab him" (I'm not a writer:/) -
@kylebeaudette said in Too Scary to Publish?:
@Blitz55 yeah, a lot of stuff i loved as a kid was less than appropriate. Goonies, Stand By Me, spooky books...
There is stuff like that out there today, but there's so much more in the way now when you try to publish this stuff.
Stand Be Me is another good one.
I hope you can find a way to get this done and keep your vision.
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@kylebeaudette Great! What do the students think of it? Any nightmares reported
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More spookery.
K, thanks for the input everyone! I guess I'll try it and see what happens.
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@kylebeaudette remember we had RL Stine goosebumps books with scary stories that made a great hit. I think these work great as long as you aim it to the right age group.
Games like plants vs zombies have taken the scariness into a more common ground so your images look spooky like an interesting tale, not as something dangerous
