Greetings,
I looked around a bit and didn't see an answer to this question so I thought I'd post it here. I have started a novel that I thought would be MG, but after 37,000 words, I think it may be more of a YA title.
The characters are twelve, right on the verge of becoming teens. The book started kind of light, but now it is taking a darker turn. Nothing violent but some imagery that is a little creepy: Evil fairies with black flowers bursting from their skin and so forth. Mwwwaaaahhhhh!!!
Anyway, an author certainly needs to know who their audience is when submitting a query. So, does anyone have any real info on what is regarded as YA and MG? If I am correct in my assumptions, in the realm of fantasy, which is my genre, these are YA books: The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix, His Dark Materials by Pullman, the Bartimaeus books, Holly Black books, etc.
MG would be Lemony Snicket, Spiderwick, Charlie Bone books, Inkheart, etc.
If you are familiar with these titles, is my assumption correct? I may have to rework some scenes to make it consistently YA throughout.
I also know that YA books sometimes deal with more real-life, real-world issues that teens can relate to: depression, suicide, parents dying, drug use, sexuality, whatever. Although my book has none of that heavy stuff.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Balthazar
I looked around a bit and didn't see an answer to this question so I thought I'd post it here. I have started a novel that I thought would be MG, but after 37,000 words, I think it may be more of a YA title.
The characters are twelve, right on the verge of becoming teens. The book started kind of light, but now it is taking a darker turn. Nothing violent but some imagery that is a little creepy: Evil fairies with black flowers bursting from their skin and so forth. Mwwwaaaahhhhh!!!
Anyway, an author certainly needs to know who their audience is when submitting a query. So, does anyone have any real info on what is regarded as YA and MG? If I am correct in my assumptions, in the realm of fantasy, which is my genre, these are YA books: The Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix, His Dark Materials by Pullman, the Bartimaeus books, Holly Black books, etc.
MG would be Lemony Snicket, Spiderwick, Charlie Bone books, Inkheart, etc.
If you are familiar with these titles, is my assumption correct? I may have to rework some scenes to make it consistently YA throughout.
I also know that YA books sometimes deal with more real-life, real-world issues that teens can relate to: depression, suicide, parents dying, drug use, sexuality, whatever. Although my book has none of that heavy stuff.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Balthazar
