Questions About Parodies & Retellings
While I'm working on my funny middle grade & taking notes for a YA thriller, I'd like to begin querying agents with a picture book I've written and am not 100% sure if it would be considered a parody or retelling. My story is basically a modernized version of an old song, but with a twist. I've gotten great feedback on this manuscript and it's time to do something with it. :-)
I know there's lots of great retellings and parodies out there and I'm not sure what the difference between the two is. I work in a school library and have done a bit of comparison research there and in bookstores, etc. We have some shelved in fiction, and some in nonfiction. (I'm not clear how that decision is made). I'm thinking of the "House That Jack Built," "I Know and Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," and "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Before I begin shopping it, I'd like to be informed about the legalities of using original stories/songs to create new ones, as far as copyrights and permissions. If anyone is able to shed some light on this, I'd be grateful.
Thanks!
Lisa
I know there's lots of great retellings and parodies out there and I'm not sure what the difference between the two is. I work in a school library and have done a bit of comparison research there and in bookstores, etc. We have some shelved in fiction, and some in nonfiction. (I'm not clear how that decision is made). I'm thinking of the "House That Jack Built," "I Know and Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," and "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Before I begin shopping it, I'd like to be informed about the legalities of using original stories/songs to create new ones, as far as copyrights and permissions. If anyone is able to shed some light on this, I'd be grateful.
Thanks!
Lisa