[Schriscoe Posts: 1,765 Status: Offline www.sharonchriscoebooks.com]

This seems like a silly question but I'd love to hear others take on what qualifies as 'high concept' in a PB.

Thanks!

[kwlarson Posts: 170 Status: Offline Books for curious kids]

The definition I've heard is this: A "high concept" book has a clearly defined marketing hook that often can be explained by its title alone, like THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES or WE ARE IN A BOOK or the forthcoming LOVE, TRIANGLE.

Am I still confused? Yes. I'd love to hear other answers.

[Vonna Posts: 1,669 Status: Offline]

The definition I've heard is this: A "high concept" book has a clearly defined marketing hook that often can be explained by its title alone, like THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES or WE ARE IN A BOOK or the forthcoming LOVE, TRIANGLE.

Yep, this is my take, too. A few more examples: SHARK vs TRAIN; MONSTER TRUCKS; I WANT MY HAT BACK; THE BOSS BABY.

[Schriscoe Posts: 1,765 Status: Offline www.sharonchriscoebooks.com]

Awesome! Thanks so much Kirsten and Vonna!

Ha! As a PB author, you'd think this would be an easy topic but for some reason it is 't. One thing is that I am trying to get three things into one book that may not be possible. 1) high concept 2) character driven 3) series potential.

[Anne Marie Posts: 2,855 Status: Offline VAMPIRINA season 3 is on Disney Junior now!]

Ha! As a PB author, you'd think this would be an easy topic but for some reason it is 't. One thing is that I am trying to get three things into one book that may not be possible. 1) high concept 2) character driven 3) series potential.

VAMPIRINA BALLERINA.  Not to boast, but true.
FANCY NANCY.
OLIVIA.  High concept may be less appropriate here, but the art might be unique enough to compensate for lack of high concept.  Or maybe at the time it first came out, the mischievous/lovable anyway trope was newer?  I don't know.

[Schriscoe Posts: 1,765 Status: Offline www.sharonchriscoebooks.com]

You are SO right Anne Marie! Vampirina Ballerina DOES cover all three of those!! THIS makes me super happy and feeling good about my new idea again. Thank you!!

Now to come up with a clever title like yours.

[Betsy Posts: 2,106 Status: Offline PICKY EATERS]

Thanks, everybody.  I've been doing this a long time, and I didn't know what it meant. But you guys explained it perfectly!

[Barbara Etlin Posts: 2,242 Status: Offline]

Would DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS be another example? I think there was a series of pigeon books.

[iyerani Posts: 241 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Sorry, it is still confusing for me. Is there any NF series? or is it special for fiction genre?  Sorry can't wrap my mind around it.

[Vonna Posts: 1,669 Status: Offline]

It works for NF, too: VOLCANO RISING; BUBBLE HOMES AND FISH FARTS; MONSTER SCIENCE; TSUNAMI!

[kwlarson Posts: 170 Status: Offline Books for curious kids]

I think "high concept" definitely works for lots of trade nonfiction. For example, PINK IS FOR BLOBFISH comes to mind. You read that title, and you know instantly that this is a book that's going to show you pink isn't all princesses and fairies.

[carrots Posts: 551 Status: Offline]

I always assumed "high" concept had to do with educational themes and am SO glad to have been set straight!!!

 

Since its meaning is linked to the title, I wonder if it would be better understood if called clear concept....

[Anne Marie Posts: 2,855 Status: Offline VAMPIRINA season 3 is on Disney Junior now!]

It's not a requirement that it be linked to the title. That's just one way of thinking about it.  High concept is a idea that's easy to describe quickly.

The wiki article is actually helpful, I think:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-concept

[JodyJS Posts: 1,319 Status: Offline Available for preorder! Out 12/12/23]

That's what I was thinking, too, Anne Marie. I've heard it described as hitting on several different themes/concepts at once in an unusual way, which perfectly fits Shark Vs Train, even if it were called something different.

[Schriscoe Posts: 1,765 Status: Offline www.sharonchriscoebooks.com]

I am so happy I asked this question! You guys are some super smart cookies!!

Thanks so much for the great info!! 

And now, I do believe I have my idea down on what PB I am going to work on next. 

[carrots Posts: 551 Status: Offline]

It's not a requirement that it be linked to the title. That's just one way of thinking about it.  High concept is a idea that's easy to describe quickly.

That's what I was thinking, too, Anne Marie. I've heard it described as hitting on several different themes/concepts at once in an unusual way, which perfectly fits Shark Vs Train, even if it were called something different.

Ahhhh, I'm getting it more now.

[iyerani Posts: 241 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

  Getting clearer now! Thank you all! I see it this genre as writing with a perspective and may be with a particular voice. Correct?