Review: 'Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies' by Deborah Halverson

Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies by Deborah Halverson, 2011, Wiley Publishing, $19.95, softbound, 358 pages. Category/Genre: writing how-to. Cover: meh, for the most part; but the spray paint is reminiscent of 21 Jump Street, so that's cool. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 

Another in the '. . . for Dummies' series, this book covers just about everything you want to know about its subject: how to target teen readers, creating teen-friendly characters, using a narrative voice teens will love, and of course, devising a hook for your book. 

There are chapters on editing, revising, and formatting your book, as well as how to get published. The section on getting published includes information on agents, query letters, writing a synopsis, and self-publishing. 

Halverson concludes the book with the 10 most common pitfalls in writing young adult fiction, 10 facts concerning book contracts, and 10 ways to make the most of a conference. 

If you like this one, try: Writing Great Books for Young Adults, by Regina Brooks.