A few years ago, while my critique partner, Kriston,
and I were visiting Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon, she had an eerie experience. She discovered a YA novel that had a flap copy description that would not only fit her own WIP to a T, but worse than that - the protagonist had the same name! I assured her that if anyone accused her of plagiarism I would explain to them that I had been her classmate in the college creative writing class when the novel had been conceived. (She went on to publish her amazing YA fantasy novel, Awakened, and is working on the sequel.) Since that time we have come to realize that this is not an unusual experience. But, I was always confident that my middle grade novel had little chance of duplicating another book, even a bit...until recently!
The above books are all not only middle grade novels, but they also all contain female protagonists. They would all - to lesser or greater degrees - be considered comparable books to the middle grade novel that I am currently submitting. However, one of the books (which shall remain unidentified) contains a protagonist with the same name as my own heroine; has a major character that is a quirky grandmother - like my story; and features ghosts in its plot - also like my story. (Thankfully the plot, setting, and other elements of that novel are nothing like my book.) I discovered this similarity, surprisingly enough, after I had purchased the book, but before I had it signed by the author. I was so unraveled, that when I met the talented writer, I mentioned the similarity. She laughed and said, "Don't worry, my book will be a great comp book for you!" However, for some reason I was still just a bit uncomfortable with the similarity. (If you follow my blog close enough, you will be able to pick out the book I am referring to in the photo.)
Since that encounter, I have researched the concept of comparable books quite a bit. What I have discovered is that authors of young adult and adult novels seem to be asked to mention comparable books more than authors of middle grade novels when submitting. That brings up the big question: Should we embrace or evade comparable books? Writing a book that is similar to a well-known published book would of course make our own novel more marketable. But how similar is too similar? I am still battling with frustration from the fact that there is already a published book in bookstores with strange similarities to my novel. It is, of course, a moot issue unless my book gets published!
What are your thoughts on the subject of comparable books?
