Regal Crest Enterprises Authors

I figured this is as good a starter question as any for this forum. And I see that Barb is here, so... c'mon.... pipe in girl! What makes a book YA vs a book with younger MCs?

Sandra

Sandra asked: "What makes a book YA vs a book with younger MCs?"

Excellent question! Now, of course, this is just my opinion, but I think an author must consider her audience. I've read many young adult books with lesbian themes and have more often than not been disappointed with the repercussions associated with the coming out process: thrown out of the house, thrown out of school, losing leadership positions at school, harassment, etc. Of course, ALL of these things have definitely happened to some of us, but I wanted to see some happier stories where the main drama is the angst associated with the initial "Holy sh*t, I might be gay!" and then on top of that life-altering discovery is all the normal teenage angst associated with being a teenager (you've all been there so I don't need to elaborate). And, I also feel that "the love scene" in a young adult novel is pretty much the first kiss. One of my beta readers told me that young love is so innocent and I, for one, would kind of like to keep it that way in my young adult stories.

Now as far as addressing your question about the difference between "yound adult" versus "younger MC's" I think you have to consider who the primary reader will be. Are you writing for adults or are you writing for kids? Answer that question and I think you've got it.

There. My two cents (okay maybe four cents) have been given. Did this help or make it cloudier?

Interesting points. I'm still not sure what the 'cut off' age is for YA readers (as in the audience for the book). Is a 17 yr old still considered YA or are they adult readers? What about a 16 yr old? And if she's 16, is she interested in reading about an 18 yr old in the first year of college (or last year of highschool)? Or does that slip into the adult market at that point?

Sex scenes are out, but what about 'fade to black' scenes or swearing? Can you have a 17 yr old 'player' and still consider it YA?

(fwiw - my target audience is about 16-17 so I don't know if they are reading YA or reading adult at that point)

thanks!
Sandra