So here's the thing: I am working on a novel. Really, I am working on two novels, one for kids (middle grade), and one for grownups (uh, grownups).
And I need your help, because now I am doing the scary/terrible/exciting part of sending it out to the Larger World and I am writing a letter to accompany it on its arduous journey. For this letter, I need (or so say the sages) to include "comp titles" aka books which will help the recipient of the letter understand its intended audience.
So: this middle grade book is a somewhat scary book about a haunted doll, girls, friendship, and witches, a sort of part-realistic contemporary novel, part scary story. And it would appeal to readers of…what?
If I were going to go old school, I would say it dreams of being the unholy child of Lois Duncan and Judy Blume. But I think that might, you know, date me a bit.
Do you guys know a book like this? If you do, will you tell me in the comments? Because, after all, I should probably read it.
marcialerner.com 
My prolific reader suggests Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth etc. or The Egypt Game.
Is it Neil Gaiman scary? Like The Graveyard Book?
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Coraline, maybe? I was going to say Egypt Game as well.
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Doll Bones by Holly Black?
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I was going to say Coraline, too! So that makes three Neil Gaiman votes.
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Coraline was the first book that popped in my head…are we in the ball park?
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I dont know! Creepiness wise maybe? But its maybe less otherworldly and more…Buffy?
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Maybe like Roald Dahl, Matilda? about kids but edgy, dark?
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Oh how I love Roald Dahl. It occurs to me with all these that I will be struck down for my impudence in suggesting we are in the same world even.
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Also: thank you all so freaking much.
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Hi, Marcia! I am THRILLED that you are working on two books!!! Can’t wait to read them!!!
I don’t read scary stuff, but maybe Stephen King would be relevant?
Cheers,
SarahT.
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Can you say it’s the written equivalent of Buffy? That sounds like it would be a smash hit!
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I was going to say Doll Bones too:)
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You guys are very freaking nice.
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I have just finished reading Doll Bones, and you are all very generous to take some time and brain cells and think about this, and thank you.
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