Not another thread on age...kinda.

Sarah Christine · Oct 5, 2009

There's more threads on here about age limits for YA than I can count on two hands. Eighteen looks to be the max, and even that seems to be pushing it. Teens generally want to read about other teens. The college student age is simply No Man's Land in today's bloodthirsty market.

So, here's my question: for the adult universe, what is the youngest age adults will consider, generally speaking? My guess would be 24, but it would help to get everyone else's opinions!

panda · Oct 5, 2009

Sarah Christine said:
There's more threads on here about age limits for YA than I can count on two hands. Eighteen looks to be the max, and even that seems to be pushing it. Teens generally want to read about other teens. The college student age is simply No Man's Land in today's bloodthirsty market.

So, here's my question: for the adult universe, what is the youngest age adults will consider, generally speaking? My guess would be 24, but it would help to get everyone else's opinions!

lol, more adults probably read ya than I know kids that do. Look at Parry Hotter.

As an adult (technically speaking lol) I read ya, but I also write ya, but if you look at romance that's generally early 20s to early 30s

alleycat · Oct 5, 2009

For me it depends on the focus of the book. If it's about teenage angst, or youth vs. parents, or a "moody, angry young man" story, I'm probably not interested (probably, I would never say never). If it's a story where the MC just happens to be someone of a fairly young age, or the storyline is compelling, I might read it. For example, I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time a few years ago (and before that, My Dog Skip). Even Stephen King's Hearts in Atlantis is largely about a young protagonist and his relationship with both his mother and the "strange man". And then there's that classic of American literature, Huckleberry Finn.

The Lonely One · Oct 5, 2009

I don't see why there couldn't be a young adult book about an 80-year-old man or an adult book about a 5-year-old.

I didn't know character age had much to do with genre. Though I could be wrong.

Am I wrong?

HelloKiddo · Oct 5, 2009

Sarah Christine said:
for the adult universe, what is the youngest age adults will consider, generally speaking?

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question. Do you mean what is the upper age limit on reading YA books?

Sarah Christine · Oct 5, 2009

panda said:
lol, more adults probably read ya than I know kids that do.

Oh I know it! My mother works for B&N and she recommended a YA book to me that even I couldn't read. It was too young for me! (But then I generally like edgy stuff.)

As an adult (technically speaking lol) I read ya, but I also write ya, but if you look at romance that's generally early 20s to early 30s

Really? Early twenties? The first thread I found on YA age limits, we discussed how 19-20somethings were generally untouchable unless the story had a really commercial appeal. The idea was that adults don't want to read about college students, if I understood correctly? Gosh.

alleycat said:
For me it depends on the focus of the book. If it's about teenage angst, or youth vs. parents, or a "moody, angry young man" story, I'm probably not interested (probably, I would never say never). If it's a story where the MC just happens to be someone of a fairly young age, or the storyline is compelling, I might read it. For example, I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time a few years ago (and before that, My Dog Skip). Even Stephen King's Hearts in Atlantis is largely about a young protagonist and his relationship with both his mother and the "strange man". And then there's that classic of American literature, Huckleberry Finn.

Then I guess it depends on how far the plot is marketable! I was worried because my character is 19, turns 20, but I always had full intentions of having a wider age of audiences because of the subject manner. It just seems like you have to have an agent brave enough to take on the college age!

Sarah Christine · Oct 5, 2009

The Lonely One said:
I don't see why there couldn't be a young adult book about an 80-year-old man or an adult book about a 5-year-old.

I didn't know character age had much to do with genre. Though I could be wrong.

Am I wrong?

Just in terms of marketability, especially for the bigger and more competitive genres like urban fantasy (which really saturates the market right now). That's why people so often change the age of their MCs, because someone will say, "This character should be younger, it'll appear to a wider audience." You know what I mean?

HelloKiddo said:
I'm sorry, I don't understand the question. Do you mean what is the upper age limit on reading YA books?

No, what's the youngest age that adults will generally read (generally read, minus the exceptions like Harry Potter or other classics), if you want your story to be directed toward the adult market (romance, urban fantasy, etc.).

The Lonely One · Oct 5, 2009

Sarah Christine said:
Just in terms of marketability, especially for the bigger and more competitive genres like urban fantasy (which really saturates the market right now). That's why people so often change the age of their MCs, because someone will say, "This character should be younger, it'll appear to a wider audience." You know what I mean?

Huh. Good to know, thanks for sharing the knowledge. I suppose you know now I haven't gotten to the "market" part of this, ey?

HelloKiddo · Oct 5, 2009

Sarah Christine said:
No, what's the youngest age that adults will generally read (generally read, minus the exceptions like Harry Potter or other classics), if you want your story to be directed toward the adult market (romance, urban fantasy, etc.).

Oh, OK. Interesting question. Adults will read about characters of any age if the book appeals to them. I'm actually quite surprised to report that a large number of people in my age group (mid to late 20s) read YA. This surprised me too, but there you go.

I think it has to do more with the tone of the book than the age of the characters. If the subject matter appeals to adults, many adults will read it. As for those adults who don't want to read books about kids--the age they will read about probably depends on the adult's age. A 50 year old might not want to read a book about a 23 year old, but a 27 year old might be perfectly fine with that.

Sevilla · Oct 5, 2009

I'm 25, I read mostly romance, and I wouldn't read anything where the main characters were younger than 17-18 or older than 40. (Sorry to all of those out there my parents' generation or older...maybe when I'm getting up there as well, I'll want to read about the 40-somethings. But not now!)

Sevilla · Oct 5, 2009

Sarah Christine said:
Really? Early twenties? The first thread I found on YA age limits, we discussed how 19-20somethings were generally untouchable unless the story had a really commercial appeal. The idea was that adults don't want to read about college students, if I understood correctly? Gosh.

Most/many historical commercial romances feature a heroine between 19-24 and a hero in his early thirties.

Sarah Christine · Oct 5, 2009

The Lonely One said:
Huh. Good to know, thanks for sharing the knowledge. I suppose you know now I haven't gotten to the "market" part of this, ey?

I was surprised when I found out too. Then I looked at it from the marketing angles like, "Oh.....I guess they're.................right." That's why this forum is great. Opens your eyes.

HelloKiddo said:
Oh, OK. Interesting question. Adults will read about characters of any age if the book appeals to them. I'm actually quite surprised to report that a large number of people in my age group (mid to late 20s) read YA. This surprised me too, but there you go.

I think it has to do more with the tone of the book than the age of the characters. If the subject matter appeals to adults, many adults will read it. As for those adults who don't want to read books about kids--the age they will read about probably depends on the adult's age. A 50 year old might not want to read a book about a 23 year old, but a 27 year old might be perfectly fine with that.

This actually makes me feel a whole lot better. I was told adults generally don't want to read that young, but subject matter should make all the difference. I guess it just depends on whether or not the agent believes in the book's marketability (I've heard several times from agents that they didn't believe in my story's commercial appeal, but perhaps that means I need to look at the content from a new direction).

Thanks!

panda · Oct 5, 2009

Sarah Christine said:
Oh I know it! My mother works for B&N and she recommended a YA book to me that even I couldn't read. It was too young for me! (But then I generally like edgy stuff.)

Really? Early twenties? The first thread I found on YA age limits, we discussed how 19-20somethings were generally untouchable unless the story had a really commercial appeal. The idea was that adults don't want to read about college students, if I understood correctly? Gosh.

This is true the ya publishers like to stop at 18 (because you supposedly become an adult then lol), unless you are an established writer (writing a series perhaps--sloppy seconds books is one example of this) or the debut novel is really good and is still targeted toward the younger generation it would be shelved under another genre.

It's true though the young adult (Reality Bites) early twenty-somethings get shoved on the backburner in Lit, and kids usually like to read an older protag in ya, like 15-17. apparently, older is an enviable thing then lol.

I find a LOT of YA is better written than Adult books may explain one of the reasons old people gravitate toward thes books, else they want to relive their childhood. For edgy ya, I rec cruddy. Also, you mom works at B&N I would wreak havoc with her employee discount lol,

ETA: Yeah, EArly twenties in Historical Romance is where It is At.

And there's lots of early 20s in contemp chick lit

motormind · Oct 5, 2009

Any age is fine by me, as long as the story is good.

Sandy Shin · Oct 5, 2009

I am not much interested in novels set in high schools (I never was interested in high school, and certainly am not now that I am in college), particularly if high school cliches play an important role in it. I genuinely wish there were more college-aged YA novels -- because I feel college students are tweens on so many levels.

There are many historical romances and chick lits with early twenties protagonists, but as a contemporary fantasy fan, I do think it'd be nice if there were more novels with protagonists who are neither late twenties/early thirties vampire hunters nor high school students falling in love with vampires.

Aquarius · Oct 5, 2009

I'm in my early twenties and am just as likely to hang out in the YA section of the library (I am rather surprised at the amount of strange looks that I get) as I do the adult.

Me personally, for the adult universe, the youngest I generally read is usually 25. With my own writing, I've went as low as 19, not even thinking that it could be considered YA, and as high as early 60's's. Considering my favorite genres, Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy, can sometimes hit epic heights in terms of ages, I never really thought about it that much....

aadams73 · Oct 6, 2009

motormind said:
Any age is fine by me, as long as the story is good.

Exactly. I'm laughing so hard at this thread because adults don't really give a damn what age the protagonist is as long as the story is there. Ender's Game, anyone? A whooooole lot of adults read that one--including me.

I can't recall me(or anyone else I know) every flicking through a book and saying: 21? Nope, the main character is too young for me.

That's just ridiculous.

bearilou · Oct 6, 2009

aadams73 said:
I can't recall me(or anyone else I know) every flicking through a book and saying: 21? Nope, the main character is too young for me.

I thought, for a moment, I was taking crazy pills. I can't ever recall any book I've picked up and even really zoned in on age. I mean, if they mention they're still in high school or college, or are married with middle school aged children, maybe I'll remember that.

But if a book is written and has to go out of it's way to mention how old the protagonist is, that doesn't slip it in on me when I'm not looking, I'll be more boggled at the "with my red hair and striking green eyes and perfect complexion" description of themselves than really registering their age.

Telstar · Oct 6, 2009

It's not the age of the MC but the tone and the topics of the novel that mark it as adult, YA, or MG.

Alpha Echo · Oct 6, 2009

Aquarius said:
I never really thought about it that much....

Me either. Actually, I've read several books that, until I'd all ready read them, didn't realize were YA. And I'm 28 years old. I guess it just depends on the story. If the plot appeals to me, whether it's about a teenager or an adult or even a child, I read it without considering its genre.

Niwo · Oct 6, 2009

I too never thought of it. I don't care how old the characters in the story are, as long as the story is interesting. But I don't really read YA anyway, so I guess I am not good to tell. But if I where one of my classmates I think I would preffer reading about 15-20 year olds. I would find it easier to relate to the characters. I'm fifteen by the way.

Adam · Oct 6, 2009

Meh, I don't really mind.

CaroGirl · Oct 6, 2009

I'll read books about protagonists of any age as long as the story and writing are good. Miriam Toew's novel A Complicated Kindness is about a 16 yo girl. I read it when I was 40 and it remains one of my favourite novels. I could read The Outsiders right now and still love it. Likewise The Giver, Where the Red Fern Grows, Catcher in the Rye, The Lord of the Flies, even Harry Potter...and I could go on and on. Colin McAdam's latest novel Fall takes place in an exclusive boarding school and has received great praise (from adults).

Why do you think adults aren't interested in stories about young people? Adults were all young once and can usually identify just fine with a young MC.

DeadlyAccurate · Oct 6, 2009

Sandy Shin said:
I am not much interested in novels set in high schools (I never was interested in high school, and certainly am not now that I am in college), particularly if high school cliches play an important role in it. I genuinely wish there were more college-aged YA novels -- because I feel college students are tweens on so many levels.

There are many historical romances and chick lits with early twenties protagonists, but as a contemporary fantasy fan, I do think it'd be nice if there were more novels with protagonists who are neither late twenties/early thirties vampire hunters nor high school students falling in love with vampires.

Rosemary Clement-Moore's Maggie Quinn series starts at the tail-end of high school and moves into college for the next two books. If you like contemporary fantasy YA, you should definitely give them a try.

CaroGirl · Oct 6, 2009

Good stories, wherever they're set, are not "about" the setting. A good story set in a high school isn't about high school any more than a good story set in London is about London. Stories are about characters and the events that test them. Whatever their age, setting is merely a backdrop for characters. Sure setting can influence events, since you'd hardly get a 30 yo character who works in an office shoved into a locker (although that might be interesting). Overall, it's not about setting per se.

And now I've rambled off topic enough. I thank you.

Not another thread on age...kinda.

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