In this engaging conversation, Jess Taylor shares her journey of opening an online bookstore dedicated to young adult literature and her role as a literary agent. The discussion explores the evolution of YA fiction, the importance of addressing banned books, and the unique challenges of running a bookstore in a digital age. Jess emphasizes the joy of connecting with readers and authors alike, highlighting the need for more diverse representation in literature, particularly for younger audiences and male protagonists. The conversation concludes with insights into the current trends in YA literature and the significance of passion in writing and publishing.

Takeaways

• Jess Taylor opened an online bookstore to fill a gap in YA literature.
• The joy of seeing teens excited about books is validating.
• YA literature allows for creativity and exploration of complex themes.
• Banned books discussions highlight the importance of exposure to diverse topics.
• Personalization in online bookstores can differentiate from larger retailers.
• Social media content creation is a significant challenge for online sellers.
• Jess transitioned from publishing to agenting to advocate for authors.
• The YA audience is growing up, leading to a demand for new adult stories.
• There is a need for more books featuring younger protagonists in YA.
• Jess is open to queries for contemporary YA fiction.

Connect with Jess Taylor

• Shop The Reading Chamber
• Follow on TikTok
• Follow on Instagram

Discount Code

• Shop The Reading Chamber and use the code MARGS at checkout for 15% off your entire purchase including the first month of a subscription!

Querying Jess

• Jess is currently open to queries and can be found on Query Tracker

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Bookstore Dream

02:17 Inspiration Behind the Reading Chamber

03:39 Nostalgic Reading Experiences

05:11 The Appeal of YA Literature

07:53 The Journey of Opening a Bookstore

10:21 Current Trends in YA Literature

12:50 The Evolution of Young Adult Readers

13:40 Navigating Content in YA Books

14:29 Addressing Difficult Topics in YA Literature

17:20 The Need for Diverse Protagonists in YA

17:46 The Importance of Passion in Writing

18:38 Understanding Young Adult Literature

19:11 Curating a Bookstore: Personal Touches and Choices

21:08 Challenges of Running an Online Bookstore

23:59 The Journey to Becoming a Literary Agent

26:32 Open for Queries: Insights into the Agenting Process

26:41 Quirks that Capture an Agent's Interest

26:48 Expanding Genres: YA and Beyond

29:40 105-End Credits Animation .mp4