Darker Teen Novels

GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc · Sep 11, 2008

I've noticed that a lot of teens I know (who are into reading) like the whole darker scene. Whether you label it as Gothic or emo or whatever, I personally really dislike labels.

In any case, what is your guess on the percentage/amount of teenagers/young adults that would read a novel that's a bit "darker"?

This is just an opinion question, and I'm only curious to hear what you all have to say.

:tongue

Valona · Sep 11, 2008

Well, if my kids are any indication, the number is zero. But I know that's not representative.

Shady Lane · Sep 11, 2008

I'd check out my Edgy YA thread. It's stickied.

bethany · Sep 11, 2008

Well, I was going to guess 100%, because doesn't most every book have some dark aspect to it?

The biggest $$$ earners in YA are Harry Potter- got dark in the end, right?
Twilight and sequels
Wicked Lovely and sequels

all of these seem to have that element.

SilverTwilight · Sep 11, 2008

I hope it's a large percentage. I'll need a large audience. *shifty eyes*

But in actuality, it's probably somewhere between 40 and 60 percent. From what I can see in my school, it's around there. But I go to an all-girls school, so that isnt factoring in males. With teenage boys, I'd guess it's more like 60-80%

GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc · Sep 11, 2008

SilverTwilight said:
I hope it's a large percentage. I'll need a large audience. *shifty eyes*

But in actuality, it's probably somewhere between 40 and 60 percent. From what I can see in my school, it's around there. But I go to an all-girls school, so that isnt factoring in males. With teenage boys, I'd guess it's more like 60-80%

Haha, I hear you. I'm in the same boat!

Thanks for your info.

Metaphor · Sep 12, 2008

I suppose it depends how dark. LOL - aren't I useful?

But seriously, most of my friends wouldn't read about people being hacked to death for the fun of it with machetes by evil skeleton zombies who like the taste of blood

That could be a little too dark. Unless it's comedic, of course.

However, books with a slightly dark atmosphere, adding to the sense of danger/tension/suspense seem to be really popular. Most of the time people aren't after something too light and fluffy unless you just want light relief. A bit of darkness, a few baddies, that sort of thing makes it interesting

Find a happy medium, I'd say

Demographics? I don't do percentages

GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc · Sep 13, 2008

Popimoore said:
I suppose it depends how dark. LOL - aren't I useful?

But seriously, most of my friends wouldn't read about people being hacked to death for the fun of it with machetes by evil skeleton zombies who like the taste of blood That could be a little too dark. Unless it's comedic, of course.

However, books with a slightly dark atmosphere, adding to the sense of danger/tension/suspense seem to be really popular. Most of the time people aren't after something too light and fluffy unless you just want light relief. A bit of darkness, a few baddies, that sort of thing makes it interesting

Find a happy medium, I'd say

Demographics? I don't do percentages

...

*Scratches out machetes idea*

... Thank you!

triceretops · Sep 13, 2008

I dunno, but they sure are selling like hotcakes. Right now YA is blistering hot. It seems I'm seeing more three-book contracts in this than anything else, including paranormal.

Tri

GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc · Sep 13, 2008

triceretops said:
I dunno, but they sure are selling like hotcakes. Right now YA is blistering hot. It seems I'm seeing more three-book contracts in this than anything else, including paranormal.

Tri

VVonderful.

CACTUSWENDY · Sep 13, 2008

I have my fingers crossed for the YA dark stuff. I am working on one now. It is a paranormal with dark and humor thrown in. So far the two kids that have read it like it. Have it out to a couple of other betas now. Had one adult read it and she liked it. Have been doing lots of cleaning up on it.

The readplease program has been a super aid. Helps me catch my dumb errors.

According to my grand daughter any kids that like ghosts and vampires will like my stuff. (Not one ghost or vampire in it at all....lol)

Good luck with your work.

River · Sep 15, 2008

I like the dark stuff better, I don't know why. I read way too many of those preteen stories, you know those books about the girl with the crush etc, over the last few years, so maybe that could be why. I can't even stand reading them now, though my friends like those type of books better.

Though, I don't like the fantasy/dark (Twilight and Harry Potter aside lol).

Hummingbird · Sep 16, 2008

It depends on how dark to me as well. Some people rather very dark stuff and some people rather medium, and so on. I actually consider the end of the Harry Potter series to be a 'medium dark'. I think I could handle a little darker then that.

Darker Teen Novels

GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc

Valona

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

bethany

:)

SilverTwilight

GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc

Metaphor

twiftie

GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc

triceretops

GLAZE_by_KyrstinMc

CACTUSWENDY

An old, sappy, and happy one.

River

Hummingbird

Pen, Paper, Prepared. ...Write!