Western YA

[Netti]

I work at a bookstore with a heavy Western concentration due to where we're located. I'm hoping to convince my supervisor to expand our YA section because right now it's basically non-existant. So, I have several ideas already but I think fantasy types will be more appealing to teenagers and I have been able to find one historical fantasy. They don't need to be historical though; just set in this area which is the more western part of the midwest (SD, ND, NE, MT, etc.). Rest of the midwest works too but I think I'll have a better shot if they're closer to the designated area. Also, any graphic novel recommendations would be great! And when it comes to history, accuracy is key.

Thanks all!

[Sommer Leigh]

I read a lot of YA and I live in Nebraska. I think I can count on one hand the number of times the midwest is *mentioned* in a book let alone set here. I don't think we're a very popular location for YA fiction :-)

[Cookie]

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand is set in Wyoming. It's a YA paranormal romance.

[Netti]

Thanks, Cookie!

[Cookie]

Welcome!

[Nicole R]

Netti,

Have you considered YA or fantasy authors who have ties to the area? I think Sommer's right that not many stories focus on that part of the country right now, but I know Brandon Sanderson, for example, is orginally from NE. His Alcatraz series might be a good fit for you. Also, Christopher Paolini is from MT. I'm sure there are others with similar ties.

Just another idea that might help you sell the expansion. Good luck!

[Sommer Leigh]

Netti,

Have you considered YA or fantasy authors who have ties to the area? I think Sommer's right that not many stories focus on that part of the country right now, but I know Brandon Sanderson, for example, is orginally from NE. His Alcatraz series might be a good fit for you. Also, Christopher Paolini is from MT. I'm sure there are others with similar ties.

Just another idea that might help you sell the expansion. Good luck!

Becca Fitzpatrick, author of Hush, Hush and Crescendo and the upcoming Silence, is also from Nebraska.

[Netti]

I'm from the area so I know there's not much here but I work at a tourist destination so the point is to have books about the area. I've only found a couple historical fantasies to sort of "bridge the divide" but other than that I got a little lucky with historical fiction.

Thanks anyway for the suggestion.