New Adult - determining target audience

ladyinpink · Nov 13, 2009

As I am entering the final stages of my editing, I am finding that my story seems to have fallen between target audiences. It is somewhere between YA and Adult. I would say, it could be considered an adult novel, but the first half of the first book (there will be at least three in total) the main character is 17 and living at home. I do feel the novel would appeal to both YA's and Adults, however I am not sure what to query this novel as. This problem is somewhat embarrassing as I should probably know something as basic as this. When I had written the novel the intention was for it to be an edgy YA novel, appealing to the older end of the YA audience as well as adults. As I was discussing this with some writer-friends of mine, one mentioned an emerging target audience of New adult (20-26). Even with this target audience, they prefer the MC to be at least 18 years old. So, I'm at a loss. I've contemplated possible changes to the plot, however, the inciting incident springs off of the living situation of the main character, to which she would not be in if she were eighteen.

I would really appreciate insight on this from agents or anyone really who is familiar with this. I have read a few online articles, and while they were helpful, I still felt "in between". At this time, I feel I have written a New Adult novel.

How realistic am I being (target-audience-wise) in my desire to market this to agents as a New Adult novel?

Thank you for your time. Any questions, feel free to ask.

Toothpaste · Nov 13, 2009

17 is still young enough for YA. And while the concept of New Adult sounds like an awesome one, the genre actually doesn't exist yet.

What makes you think your book isn't YA anymore?

Kathleen42 · Nov 13, 2009

Toothpaste said:
17 is still young enough for YA. And while the concept of New Adult sounds like an awesome one, the genre actually doesn't exist yet.

What makes you think your book isn't YA anymore?

I agree with Toothpaste that 17 is typically still well within YA range. I'm guessing part of your determination is that the MC gets older in the other two books, right?

St. Martin's Press recently announced that they're looking for "New Adult" books with protags 18-early twenties.

It's an interesting time for writers with characters in that age range but, as Toothpaste mentioned, the genre isn't quite there yet.

My MC is 18. For now, I'm planning one querying as Young Adult and seeing what happens.

ladyinpink · Nov 13, 2009

My MC is 17 and living at home and in school for the first half of the first book.

Everyone who reads it says it reads more like an adult novel with a teenage protag. The concern of my readers and critiquers is that this is more of an adult novel that older teens would enjoy too, due to the concepts and themes of the story.

Due to her life, the protag. comes across more as an adult trapped in a teenagers living situation. I've read a lot of YA novels, and the "attitude" of the story is very different. I think I intended it as edgy YA, but my muse took over and the tone just doesn't line up with other YA novels out there

The YA's who would read this novel are the kinds who normally don't read YA novels. YA's who read Adult novels. So if that;s the kind of YA's I am appealing to, it almost makes more sense to make it an adult novel. I know there are other adult novels out there with teen protags, but I'm guessing the general rule of thumb is that having a teen protag in an adult novel is not the best idea. I've debated a lot of factors revolving around this, and I (as well as my critiquers and readers) believe there is no realistic way to change this. Putting her in college would get rid of the inciting incident. Giving her more of a "teen" attitude wouldn't be true to her character or the spirit of the story.

And now, I probably sound like I'm being impossible. I've discussed this at length with other writers, and most think it's an adult novel with a 17yo MC (at least for the first half of the first novel) We've tried to make her older, but it doesn't fit. My concern is marketing it as an adult novel with a teenage protag. I'm still in the editing process... maybe by time I query there will be a New Adult market

Kathleen42 · Nov 13, 2009

My MC has been living on her own for a few months when the story opens. She's very responsible and self-sufficient. She's eighteen but she had to grow up fast.

When I was writing, I did struggle with the "this is not the typical teen living situation". One thing which convinced me to keep the character as I envisioned was the fact that I had two friends in high school who did live on their own. I also had several friends with life experiences which forced them to grow up faster than any teen should.

ladyinpink · Nov 13, 2009

*nods* That is also why I remain true to my characters personality despite her age. I do think it would appeal to the older range of YA, or the more mature YAs out there. Of course, many of them read Adult novels anyway... likewise, there are many adults who read YA novels

ebenstone · Nov 13, 2009

Then this might be right up your alley:

http://sjaejones.com/blog/2009/st-martins-new-adult-contest/

It IS a growing market.

ladyinpink · Nov 13, 2009

Thank you for the link. I am going to check it out now. Also thank you to everyone who has responded. I appreciate the time and insight given!

Kathleen42 · Nov 13, 2009

I actually blogged about this a few days ago.

Excited to see a thread about it on AW. Hoping it gets hopping.

ladyinpink · Nov 13, 2009

Kathleen - I appreciate your participation in this thread, especially as a fellow writer who is in a similar boat. I am going to read your bog post now.

Toothpaste · Nov 13, 2009

Wow. That's awesome about St. Martin's. And what a great term "New Adult".

ladyinpink, the reason I was possibly a little short before is I have one such book myself, so I'm feeling a little frustrated. Here's hoping we three can start a whole new genre!

JamieB · Nov 13, 2009

I have one trunked too! Let's hope it can make a revival soon!

ladyinpink · Nov 13, 2009

Toothpaste said:
Wow. That's awesome about St. Martin's. And what a great term "New Adult".

ladyinpink, the reason I was possibly a little short before is I have one such book myself, so I'm feeling a little frustrated. Here's hoping we three can start a whole new genre!

I don't remember you coming across as short, but either way, no worries. I'm being real with myself: I think my story is awesome, or I wouldn't be writing it - but I'm aware every writer thinks this

- and I've painted myself into a corner as I have not been published before and I am going against the grain on one of the basics - target audience. Not the best choice, I understand, but not being true to the story and its characters would be worse. As I see it, if it's really a story worth publishing, none of this will matter in the long run. However, it would be foolish of me not to put thought into the approach I will take when I query this novel.

I am glad to hear there are other's out there in the same boat! Good luck to you as well, and perhaps we can set the writing world on fire with this newly emerging genre!

Kathleen42 · Nov 13, 2009

ladyinpink said:
I don't remember you coming across as short, but either way, no worries. I'm being real with myself: I think my story is awesome, or I wouldn't be writing it - but I'm aware every writer thinks this - and I've painted myself into a corner as I have not been published before and I am going against the grain on one of the basics - target audience. Not the best choice, I understand, but not being true to the story and its characters would be worse. As I see it, if it's really a story worth publishing, none of this will matter in the long run. However, it would be foolish of me not to put thought into the approach I will take when I query this novel.

I am glad to hear there are other's out there in the same boat! Good luck to you as well, and perhaps we can set the writing world on fire with this newly emerging genre!

I don't think you're necessarily going against the grain (though I haven't read your ms). You can always submit as YA and see what response you get back.

ladyinpink · Nov 13, 2009

*shrugs* it's been pretty much noted across the board that MC does not sound like a teen and that the theme is a bit advanced for the general YA audience. I admit, its hard for me to write YA. I was in college at sixteen. I was never the "average" teenager and maybe that has effected my perception. At the same time, I do think many YA's out there want to read something that doesn't sound like the author thinks they are a "kid" - that goes back to many YA's just reading adult novels though. When I wrote this my intended target audience was older YA (16+) with hopes to cross over into Adult as well. Now I wonder if I've accomplished the opposite. With the story beginning with the protag being 17, it seems YA is how I should submit it first.

kangolNcurlz · Nov 13, 2009

Interesting contest. Anxiety was beginning to overtake me with my novels because all my characters are in the New Adult range and I didn't know whether to classify it as adult or young adult. Adults might not be interested in the personal situations of the characters and young adults might think my characters too old to identify with. Unfortunately, I remember being 17 and thinking 21 was old, hahah, and I still think many teens feel that way.

Terie · Nov 13, 2009

There are lots of books about teenagers that aren't targeted to teenagers. One that immediately springs to mind is She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb.

Age of the characters is only one facet of what makes a book YA, and while you seldom (though not never) have YA books about older main characters, it's not at all unheard of to have teen main characters in adult books. I think you should carry on with the story as it is and pitch it as adult, and see what happens.

My advice might be different if you weren't already reading YA books...I'd say to read some to get a feel for them...but it sounds like you're already doing and already feel that your story probably isn't YA.

And also remember that well-read teens read a lot of adult books, even with the current feast of great YA available to them. So teens who are ready for your story will likely find it.

Saskatoonistan · Nov 14, 2009

See, now I've read on a few agent blogs that "New Adult" MC's were always in their early twenties as opposed to being 17 or 18. It's going to be really interesting to see how the market decides the parameters. I am 42, and back in the day when I had hair and girls at High School wore shoulder pads, we were reading Stephen King and Robert R. McCammon, true crime, VC Andrews, etc. Really interesting to see how this will play itself out.

Twizzle · Nov 14, 2009

Saskatoonistan said:
I am 42, and back in the day when I had hair and girls at High School wore shoulder pads, we were reading Stephen King and Robert R. McCammon, true crime, VC Andrews, etc.

Me too. She of the huge shoulder pads and hair. But then we didn't have YA sections in bookstores yet. Just children or adults. I'm addicted to YA now, though. I just wish it had been as popular when I was young. *sigh*

Anyway, OT, but I'm beyond thrilled about this and hoping it takes off. My book is geared toward what they're calling New Adult, too, ladyinpink.

Though my MC is 22, I think what maybe qualifies it as NA is the story-what she's struggling with. While you'd like to think your novel is universal and would appeal to all ages, my MC's in a unique place, worrying about things unique to that age and struggling with issues unique to that stage of life. And hell, it's what I love to write-about that teetering place in a woman's life.

So it's not YA and not quite adult. And hard as hell to sub.

But who knows, maybe...Good luck, however you go.

ETA-awesome blog post, Kathleen. Though, what I did yell, it contained some choice expletives preceeding the "Salvation!"

Kathleen42 · Nov 14, 2009

Here's a link to the transcript from last weeks #YALitChat. Much of the chatter was about "New Adult" and the guest tweeter was an editorial assistant from SMP.

You do not need Twitter to read the transcript.

ladyinpink · Nov 14, 2009

thanks everyone

Based on that, sounds like my story is definitely New Adult, once such a thing truly exists. *sighs* I always have to make things difficult.

Toothpaste · Nov 14, 2009

You know, the chatter alone in this thread will make a difference. Before this thread I had no idea of whisperings about "New Adult". Now that I do I have no doubt I will mention it when talking with other authors. Heck I'm going on tour next week, four presentations a day, chances are this subject will be raised. If we keep talking about it, spread the good word, if "New Adult" becomes a phrase that people understand in the way they understand YA, just by talking about it, I bet we could make a huge difference. Publishing is all about whispers on the wind (okay that's cheesy, but it's the only way I can really describe it), rumour turning into fact. People talking. Someone said angels are the new vampires, and look! The prophecy is being fulfilled.

This is a great conversation to have, and to keep having. Because the conversation alone will make a difference.

Kathleen42 · Nov 14, 2009

Toothpaste said:
You know, the chatter alone in this thread will make a difference. Before this thread I had no idea of whisperings about "New Adult". Now that I do I have no doubt I will mention it when talking with other authors. Heck I'm going on tour next week, four presentations a day, chances are this subject will be raised. If we keep talking about it, spread the good word, if "New Adult" becomes a phrase that people understand in the way they understand YA, just by talking about it, I bet we could make a huge difference. Publishing is all about whispers on the wind (okay that's cheesy, but it's the only way I can really describe it), rumour turning into fact. People talking. Someone said angels are the new vampires, and look! The prophecy is being fulfilled.

This is a great conversation to have, and to keep having. Because the conversation alone will make a difference.

Could not agree more. It even game up in an #askagent session last week.

And, really, it's completely logical.

If YA hadn't exploded in the last ten years, we might not be having this conversation. But YA did explode and, as a result, the gap in ages is more apparent than ever. We've got a generation who grew up reading about characters their own ages. It only makes sense that they'll want to keep reading through their late teens and early twenties.

Toothpaste · Nov 14, 2009

Absolutely. Everything is changing in the world of books, and that includes the world of books for kids/teens etc. This is one of the first positive things I've read with all the changes happening in our industry. We need to spread this like wildfire.

Saskatoonistan · Nov 14, 2009

So if I write about a 22 year old schizophreniccollege student who swears a lot and is off his meds and thinks he's a superhero to the point of dressing up like one and getting his ass handed to him as he fights crime, that could be New Adult?

New Adult - determining target audience

practical experience, FTW

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

crushing on fictional characters

practical experience, FTW

crushing on fictional characters

practical experience, FTW

practical experience, FTW

crushing on fictional characters

practical experience, FTW

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

practical experience, FTW

crushing on fictional characters

practical experience, FTW

Writer is as Writer does

Still the wrong side of Saskatoon

Cluck that.

crushing on fictional characters

practical experience, FTW

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

crushing on fictional characters

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

Still the wrong side of Saskatoon