I never used to write YA and I haven't read YA really since I was a young adult myself... But I think I've been writing a lot of it lately. I think? Tbh I'm a little hazy on exactly what the definition of the genre is. Cliches aside, at its core is YA just fiction primarily marketed to young adults? Or am I missing something you think?
You're right. Though I like to include "works that are about young adults" as well to sort of broaden the genre a little. Adolescence is an important subject, whether it be the subject of the work or the targeted audience of the work
@Andrew Knight, which brings up a good question. Are YA only focused on teens aged 14-19 dealing with friendships, early relationships and school or does it also include 20-24 college peeps and straight out of college demographic still lost at adulthood?
8 years ago
@Alef Magnus,
I think it could. I think I read one like that. Sure it was complete trash, but it did have collage age characters. Except the male lead since he's immortal or whatever. Can't believe my friend suggested it to me.
@Alef Magnus, actually, there's a sub-genre named "new adult" that focuses on college age individuals. I just learned that while going through the submissions processes for publishing.
8 years ago
@Andrew Knight,
Huh, didn't know that was a thing.
@Andrew Knight, Oh wow. I did just type it on search and yep it is legit. Deemed as the older YA, and only recently coined in 2009. This actually helps. My problems with YA in the past has always been about not relating to it anymore because I was in that age where I was so focused on working/getting corporate. So having that genre really helps if readers are looking for something to relate to on their current state.
@Andrew Knight, Yeah I haven't really read any story about someone just getting out of college and trying to get work. It's like a big hole in everyone's lives that no one wants to talk about. Cause it's either sad, traumatizing, or boring.
That actually makes a lot of sense. I haven't actually written any meaningful YA yet, but when I do I want it to be meaningful to adolescents and adults alike
I think it could. I think I read one like that. Sure it was complete trash, but it did have collage age characters. Except the male lead since he's immortal or whatever. Can't believe my friend suggested it to me.
Huh, didn't know that was a thing.