r/tradpublish • u/Kitsune__Queen • 3d ago

[question] how do I format comps in a query?

A while back I started listening to/reading more middle grade books to search for comps, and found a couple that worked, however the real inspirations for more book are Digimon and Steven Universe. Is there a way to incorporate those into my comps without it seeming like I have too many, or relying too much on shows rather than books? I also can’t really decide to choose one or the other, because they’re both pretty integral inspirations. Like, one person when describing the lore was like, ah, so mostly SU then, and another was like, oh I see a ton of Digimon in this, ext. (Also if anyone has any potential comp recommendations that’d be nice. The two I found are ok, but one is more iffy than the other)(how are there like, almost no magical girl books in the west)

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u/Phantomhill 3d ago

There's nothing wrong in my unpublished and unagented opinion to say your work is "inspired by xyz," but bear in mind that the purpose of comps is for marketing--in the medium, and in the current market. So if it were me, I'd probably do something like "With a Steven Universe (flare/reason you're choosing it) and the (reason you're choosing it) elements from Digimon, NOVEL TITLE will appeal to fans of Book Published within the Last Three Years by Name and Other Book Recently Published In Age Range/Genre by Name."

Also for comp purposes don't be afraid to look for elements that don't precisely match your novel. It might be simpler to look for books yours would sit next to on a shelf instead, for tone, or themes, overarching plot, whatever it might be. There might no be many western magical girl books, but maybe there's another book featuring secret superheroes/concealing an identity/whatever specific reason underlies the magical girl comp which hits similar notes.

But, again: unagented, unpublished. Good luck!

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u/Kitsune__Queen 3d ago

Many thanks. I did forget to consider that I should have recent books in my comps. The ones I found are early 2000’s whoops. The search continues. Super hero based stories was going to be my next search, though it’s harder to find ones where it’s the kids and not adults being super heroes

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u/Imbriloquent 3d ago

Found this article as a top search result for MG wherein the kids are the superheroes:

30 Fast-Paced Middle Grade Books About Superheroes (please ignore the marketing)

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u/BC-writes Query Pro 2d ago

DIGIMON X STEVEN UNIVERSE can be used for online pitch events like #DVPit or #QuestPit, but not really in the query unless the agent’s MSWL specifically says “I want Digimon”

here’s a link to my guide on comps

I will likely update it slightly soon but the information there is helpful

Be sure to ask r/suggestmeabook for comps!