The Appeal to Readers And Publishers

Potential audience

Genie’s story is fascinating, as her story is very rare and shocking for the extreme nature of her treatment as a child.

Readers may be intrigued to find out why the parents carried out their actions and details on their lives, particularly what happened to them leading up to Genie’s birth, and whether there were signs that their lives prior could have had some impact on their disillusioned perspectives of how to care for children.

Readers may also want to know what the family’s lives were like surrounding Genie, particularly how ‘normal’ or appearing to live typical lives they were , and whether there were any signs prior to Genie’s discovery of what was happening at home.

 

Readers may hope through the story to make of it what they think personally it reveals in a deeper message or reflection on human nature, society, or how society supports/ refuses to take responsibility for stories such as Genie’s.

 

Publishers in the contemporary market

 

As far as I’m aware there’s not of yet been a creative non-fiction piece on Genie, mainly just psychology articles focusing on her development and what extreme neglect can do to the brain and the long-term effects of neglect inflicted on Genie/ that she experienced.

Although it’s an 80s case, it’s still relatively recent, especially as Genie is still alive. Genie may have been documented by numerous sources, but details of her case relatively unknown to members of the public. Therefore, there may essentially be a gap in the market.

There are key themes that may appeal to the mass market in Genie’s story, such a survival, human nature and childhood. Its relevance is where the psychology comes in, what Genie’s story was able to answer about the brain and etc. and these extreme cases are rare. So, even without detailing the importance her story holds for psychologists, her survival can appeal to various readers.

Although Genie is American, so the story doesn’t have local element to it, there may be less appeal to British publishers. But the themes explored are universal, and setting of Los Angeles, being iconic abroad, may even make the story more shocking, as it’s famous for its tourist landmarks, such as Hollywood. America’s image and resonance in British media/ film may help broaden Genie’s appeal to British publishers (and readers).