When a DearEditor.com reader asked about post-apocalyptic novels and the degree of darkness necessary for a true “dystopia,” I immediately thought of author Jeff Hirsch. Not because Jeff is a dark, brooding fellow. In fact, he’s very much the opposite. But with Jeff’s debut novel The Eleventh Plague being a highly-anticipated post-apocalyptic tale and his finger on the pulse of that current market, I knew he’d have great insight. Here’s the question Jeff fielded:
Dear Editor…
My current novel is post-apocalyptic, and I was going to market it as dystopian. One of my critiquers said it’s not depressing and dark enough to be dystopian. Is that a necessary criteria for this genre?
Sincerely,
Carol
Check out Jeff’s answer as Guest Editor today on DearEditor.com. Also, click here for a chance to win a free Advance Reading copy of The Eleventh Plague—complete with fab cover blurb by Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games: “The Eleventh Plague hits disturbingly close to home. . . . An excellent, taut debut novel.”
Jeff Hirsch is the author of the highly anticipated post-apocalyptic YA novel The Eleventh Plague, releasing Sept 1, 2011. His second novel, Magisterium, follows shortly after.
