Thank you so much for this! I needed to read it. And just to let you know, reading Mari in the Margins has made me feel like trying to write a novel in verse as well.
I too have been touched by Out of the Dust. I also highly recommend The Crossover and Booked by Kwame Alexander.
Yes! It seems to be a thing in Australia too – an author friend mentioned recently that she’s working on a verse novel despite being told by many people (fellow authors as well as industry professionals) that it’s not a good idea. I find that so strange! Particularly because verse novels seem to be quite popular at the moment. One thought was that it’s especially hard to have a verse novel picked up if you’re not an established author. I’m not sure why that makes a difference 🤷♀️
Probably because there are still a lot of people who’ve never read one and are a little intimidated at the thought. Or they’re those “I don’t like poetry” people who think they wouldn’t enjoy a whole novel in verse.
Oh you could be right about that. Though I've found that novels in verse here in recent years are often award-winners or shortlisted for awards, so perhaps there is change happening but not quite enough.
If you want one that’s specifically written for the adult market, I can recommend The Watch that Ends the Night by Allan Wolf, a story about the sinking of the Titanic. It’s told from multiple POVs, one of which is the iceberg!
I need to read your book! One of the POVs is in verse in my fantasy novel and it was one of my favorite parts. 😍
I read Thread of Dreams and I really enjoyed how you changed the format between the characters. The verse was a pleasant surprise! It’s a lovely book!
Awww that’s so nice to hear! Thank you, Rebecca 🥰
Thank you so much for this! I needed to read it. And just to let you know, reading Mari in the Margins has made me feel like trying to write a novel in verse as well.
I too have been touched by Out of the Dust. I also highly recommend The Crossover and Booked by Kwame Alexander.
I’m so glad to be an encouragement to you. Thank you for your kind words about Mari! I hope you give wiring a novel in verse a try!
Yes! It seems to be a thing in Australia too – an author friend mentioned recently that she’s working on a verse novel despite being told by many people (fellow authors as well as industry professionals) that it’s not a good idea. I find that so strange! Particularly because verse novels seem to be quite popular at the moment. One thought was that it’s especially hard to have a verse novel picked up if you’re not an established author. I’m not sure why that makes a difference 🤷♀️
Probably because there are still a lot of people who’ve never read one and are a little intimidated at the thought. Or they’re those “I don’t like poetry” people who think they wouldn’t enjoy a whole novel in verse.
Oh you could be right about that. Though I've found that novels in verse here in recent years are often award-winners or shortlisted for awards, so perhaps there is change happening but not quite enough.
Slow change is better than no change!
So true!
Love this perspective and have never read an adult novel in verse. Except for Shakespeare. But those are plays. Now I'm intrigued.
If you want one that’s specifically written for the adult market, I can recommend The Watch that Ends the Night by Allan Wolf, a story about the sinking of the Titanic. It’s told from multiple POVs, one of which is the iceberg!
Preach!