I'm working on a humourous historical novel, and was wondering about possible markets. Google hasn't been too helpful on this front so I thought I'd rely on the kindness of BCGers.
I know the market for comedy novels is small, but does anyone have any ideas for publishers who are willing to take submissions, or even contests in this area?
I think you'd just have to Google and Google until you had a list of publishers (or use Writers and Artists Yearbook) and approach each one. Submissions policies, including what they do and don't take, constantly change.
Vive la Revolution by Mark Steel is brilliant, although not a novel, and was published by Scribner
I think most agents and publishers are happy to find a novel that's funny/makes readers laugh.
Thanks guys, but as an example of how small the market is for comedy novels, my original post has already come up on the first page of a Google query about comedy markets!
Heh!
What style of comedy novel is it?
Is it just a historical novel with humour, or like a slapstick book version of a Carry On film?
Most novels have an element of humour, so it wouldn't necessarily sit in some small 'comedy novel' genre of its own.
By jove, I think you've cracked it--I should be looking at historical fiction markets. That makes more sense.
Thanks for the help!
There must be loads of markets for comedy novels. That's how Tom Sharpe and Leslie Thomas made their names. And what about the bloke who wrote the Flashman novels?
Quote: Chappers @ July 25 2011, 4:54 PM BSTThere must be loads of markets for comedy novels. That's how Tom Sharpe and Leslie Thomas made their names. And what about the bloke who wrote the Flashman novels?
George MacDonald Fraser. I think Chappers we can take it for read there are markets for comedy novels and comedy plays and comedy whatever you like.
Has anyone here submitted a comedy novel to a mainstream publisher?
Quote: evan rubivellian @ July 25 2011, 7:38 PM BSTHas anyone here submitted a comedy novel to a mainstream publisher?
I did once.
And was told "funny isn't sexy at the moment"
I didn't bother pursuing that particular conversation.
Quote: evan rubivellian @ July 25 2011, 7:38 PM BSTHas anyone here submitted a comedy novel to a mainstream publisher?
It's probably not going to work doing it just once. It's like going to only one interview.
Most publishers don't accept novels unless you have an agent. So probably best to send it to agents first.
"funny isn't sexy at the moment"
If "funny" became the new "sexy"....wait....hang on a minute....funny has ALWAYS been sexy!
Quote: Lazzard @ July 25 2011, 8:13 PM BSTI did once.
And was told "funny isn't sexy at the moment"
I didn't bother pursuing that particular conversation.
Yes, I tried with a previous effort and received similar responses. For that reason I was wondering if there were people here who knew any other angles. Niche publishers perhaps or contests.
I think the best thing for me is the earlier advice about marketing it as a historical novel.
Quote: Tim Azure @ July 25 2011, 11:25 PM BSTIt's probably not going to work doing it just once. It's like going to only one interview.
I wasn't aware I was suggesting any such thing! Just trying to find out if anyone here had experience of marketing a funny novel. But yes, I quite agree that the best policy is to do more than one submission!