In the last few years, books in the Young Adult category have been taking the world by storm. Harry Potter, Hunger games and Twilight, to name a few. And the funny thing is, it isn’t young adults who are reading them with such fervour. Adults are fast discovering that these books aren’t simple or dumbed down, but that they are really enjoying them.
However, there’s a few books sandwiched somewhere between Adult and Young Adult, that didn’t quite fit into either category. These deal with younger characters, somewhere between 16 and 25, dealing with growing pains of a slightly more mature type. Thus the New Adult category was born. It’s still small, and relatively unknown, but I think it has some potential.
When my beta readers and editors read Reckless Rescue, a few commented that it read a lot like Young Adult. Not just one person, about three I think. It made me pause. I didn’t see my book as Young Adult, despite the age of Marlee, one of the main characters, because the topics it deals with (infertility, forever relationships, and of course, sex) seemed too old for that group. So I kept it as Adult.
However, I think it would quite neatly fit into the New Adult genre. This isn’t to say I’m putting it into that category specifically (especially not since it doesn’t exist in most places yet), but I does give me an extra keyword to add to my listing, and an extra group to market to.
Have you heard of New Adult? Do you enjoy Young Adult books? Or do you think all these categories are going a bit overboard?
All this month I’m participating in the A-Z blogging challenge, writing a blog post for each letter of the alphabet, on every day of the month except Sundays. Check back regularly to see what else I have in store for you.
I recently read a YA book after years of having no interest in the genre. I loved it. I have heard of the New Adult category, but haven’t read a book from it. If a book looks interesting I will read it no matter what category it’s in.
I think YA books are very different to what they were when I was that age too! They seem to have far more depth, and a much wider variety. I’ll read books from most categories too, although there are some I avoid (mystery, horror, thriller etc).
I’ve heard of Young Adult and, more recently MG (middle grade?), but haven’t heard of New Adult. It can’t hurt to add extra tags/keywords to your listings though 🙂
Yes, I’ve heard of Middle Grade recently too. I figure the more appropriate tags, the better!
Interesting post thanks Rinelle. I haven’t heard of the genre specifically. I can imagine this ‘tag’ and also in relation to Marlee. I reckon that no matter the age, we all face insecurities, doubts, challenges.
Is there an ‘old adult’ genre? 🙂
Susan Scott’s Soul Stuff
I think there are several ‘old adult’ genres, though they aren’t as well known. I read this interesting blog post yesterday on baby boomers looking for books about their own unique situations and perspectives. I think it’s great!
Ironically most of what I’ve heard of New Adult is agents whining that it’s not a real thing, and publishers saying they like that it exists but want someone else to take the plunge on it. It’s clearly winning. There’s a lot of money in continuing to sell to the YA audience that’s getting older and still wants to read about itself.
John at The Bathroom Monologues
Yes, I’ve heard a fair bit of that too! I think that’s the case with any new category. Funnily enough, while I’m sure that age range reads it, a lot of it seems to be older people who are searching it out. I’m on a few groups on GoodReads that talk about it, and it’s fascinating to watch.
I’m so confused about what constitutes what genre. I cannot tell you what I write apart from Fantasy or sci-fi. Wish it weren’t so convoluted! But I guess the more genres you can market to, the better, right?!
Jai
Me too! It was doubtful whether I could really fit into sci-fi initially, since my science is fairly light. But I think the more places you can market the better. Any way you can expand your audience I reckon.
I hadn’t heard the term “New Adult”, but yes, I read young adult. I know lots of adults who do read young adult books. I didn’t classify my book as young adult because even though it featured some teenagers, my main character was thousands of years old. 😀 I participated in a blog book tour and even though I stated that my book was “adult”, one blog host referred to it as “young adult”. It’s becoming increasingly harder to choose a genre since there are so many to choose from these days.
It is becoming really hard isn’t it? I’ve read the comment about Twilight, that it’s still YA, even though Edward (I think? haven’t read it myself) is hundreds of years old. It’s more than just the age of the characters, but also the issues that the book covers.
I enjoy reading young adult and new adult books (as well as adult ones too and the occasional MG). I’m glad that there is a category that bridges between YA and adult.
A to Z Participant
Cherie Reich – Author and Surrounded by Books Reviews
Yes, I think it makes sense. There are a lot of books that I think would fit into the NA category, even if they weren’t specifically intended that way. (As mine wasn’t.)
I’ve heard the term New Adult. I usually think of that being someone out of their teens. YA to me means teenagers.
Well, I think an 18 or 19yo is a bit different to a 14yo, both in what they read, and what they do. And some 16-17year olds are dealing with a lot of adult issues too.
I’ve never heard the term New Adult, but I would see that as being college age. In my mind, YA would be teenagers.
TaMara
Tales of a Pee Dee Mama
Yes, I think generally NA novels do cover college, first real job, moving out of home etc issues, where as YA is usually still at school.
New Adult is a new one on me, but then I do struggle to keep up with all of these new splicing of genres. I really hate pigeon-holing things, but it seems unavoidable in today’s marketing savvy, online shopping world. My P post will express my whinging moans about the subject!
You keep promising this pidgeon-holing post. I’m going to be stalking your page for it tomorrow. 🙂
I have not heard of this genre, but it’s interesting, and makes sense with the attraction of books like The Hunger Games.
Yes, although I think the Hunger Games is still Young Adult? Not sure though.
I’ve heard the term, but can’t name one book. I read in just about any genre, so will have to really pay attention next time I’m in a bookstore. I’d probbaly like New Adult, given the age span.
Silvia @ Silvia Writes
Hmm. You know, I’m hard pressed to name a book in it either. I think perhaps because it’s so new, that no books have become really well known yet.