When is it acceptible to write from an animal's POV?

[Susan]

Can you suspend your disbelief if an author writes from a parrot's POV?  That's what Michael Chabron did in The Final Solution. The Final Solution

The entire book is not written in parrot POV, only one scene, but when I read it, I totally believed it. Comments on other books written in "animal POV?"  I know there's one written in a horse's POV, forget the title ... 

[Jack Getze]

Animal Farm by George Orwell was one of my favorite books in high school. Back in the days when I was a radical like Loomis. "Some pigs are more equal than others."

I think if the story's good, you can get away with anything. If it's fun for you to write, it might be fun for readers.

[Jon Loomis]

Ha! Loomis the radical! That's him--the guy in the minivan!

[Jack Getze]

Yeah, but it has those bumper stickers on it.

[Benjamin Sobieck]

Wasn't there a book that re-told, "The Wizard of Oz," from Toto's point of view? I heard that was good, but I can't think of the name.

I wouldn't dismiss a book that used this POV, but it does require an extra stretch of the imagination that some readers won't get over.

[Jonathan Francesco]

I suppose it's a possible technique, but the situations where it won't just seem gimmicky and therefore backfire seem to be quite limited.

[Karen Dionne]

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is written from the pov of a dog, and has been tremendously successful - Starbucks book pick, two years on the NYTimes list, movie -

The book is represented by my agent, and so I happen to know that when Garth sent the ms to his previous agent, who'd already sold 2 books for him, his agent was flabbergasted, and said, "I can't sell a book written by a dog!"

They parted ways, Garth signed with my agent, and the rest, as they say, is history . . .

[Jack Getze]

Thanks for that story, Karen. I needed it! My agent and I just broke up over Austin Carr, the stockbroker protag she insisted was unsaleable.

[Dana King]

She thinks Austin Carr is unsellable? She's daft. I loved both those books. You're better off without her.

Ever notice how no editor or agent can tell what will sell, but always have a well-formed opinion about what won't sell? And it's usually what you've just finished working on? (That's the rhetorical "you," Jack. Not you personally.). 

[Jack Getze]

Thanks so much, Dana and Karen. Well, I have found a new agent that agrees with us, so Austin may get another chance. The good thing, my new agent says, is that I own the rights to the original two books plus two new ones written but unpubbed. She says the ebook people like buying multiple books. My fingers are crossed, although I've been working on a non-Austin thriller.

[Karen Dionne]

This is wonderful news! Here's hoping the road will be smooth going forward!

[I. J. Parker]

I'm gald for you, Jack.  All publishers want multiple books.  It gives you presence.  Why are you not self-publishing if you are looking for e-publishers???

[Jack Getze]

I was planning to, and may still -- I've already commissioned covers -- but then this agent popped up and thinks she might get me a deal. I would prefer a publisher other than myself, especially the one she was talking about. I've waited this long ....