I'm six weeks away from the launch of my new book, You. I. Us. I'm sorting out the book launch and signing at my local bookshop this week. I veer from being excited and busy, to twiddling my thumbs wondering why it isn't June yet.
I'm also organising a blog tour, and I've still got a couple of days left to fill. If you're interested, please email, message or leave a comment below. The tour is starting on 13 June, and will last until I run out of tour stops.
In the meantime, you can check out the book on Goodreads to find out more about it.
Question...
I'm writing an adult book, but the main character starts the story at 17 and ends it at 20. It's not an NA book, but it seems that these days younger characters automatically get slotted into the NA category. Even my first book, Cat and The Dreamer, about a 30 year old, finds it's way into the YA listings on Amazon!
If you were reading about a 20 year old, would you expect a NA story?
I would be happy to give you a shout out.
ReplyDeleteRE your question. I have the same issue. My 6ways series started with a teen, progressed into her twenties. My Revenir series...similar situation. What can you do....
I guess I just hate that books have to be categorised - there must be a lot of readers who never read their perfect book because it's not a category they normally read. (That's the book romantic coming out in me.)
DeleteI'll contact you about your offer, Mac, thanks :-)
Beautiful cover. Sure, come on over to my place. I'd love to have you. I'll also post your cover release day on Downtown YA. Even if it's not YA or a typical NA, the age would probably garner interest.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra, I'll contact you about your offer. 'You. I. Us.' is not the YA/NA problem - that's a work in progress. It's a collection of short stories, and several of the characters are well into their 70s :-)
DeleteGotcha!
DeleteYou're more than welcome to take over my blog any time you'd like.
ReplyDeleteAnd I occasionally have a similar problem with my novel. My MC is 18 when the story starts, and some people automatically assume the book is YA/NA when it is very firmly not that. But me personally, I wouldn't automatically expect/assume a book about a 17-20 year old to be NA.
Bernard Cornwell has a few series where the MC is a kid when the series starts, and he's older in each installment. I don't think anyone views any of those novels as YA or NA.
There are many more labels now than there used to be - I'm not sure it's a good thing. When I was a teen, I read adult books with adult themes - and it made broadened my thoughts and opinions.
DeleteThanks for the offer, I'll be in touch :-)
I don't expect it to be NA. I would absolutely read it. People feel comfortable if they can put your book in a certain category. It just makes it easier for them. Don't worry. I know readers will enjoy your book regardless of the age of the main character.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Murees :-) It's good to know the age of a character doesn't put you off.
DeleteI'm glad I'm already on your tour. I do think folks get too hung up on categories. I always read stuff that was more adult, back when I was a teen. It didn't hurt, it challenged me. Oh well. I'm happy for you and your book, signings, tour, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your support, Joanne. Actually, if you think about the MC's age, is Pride and Prejudice actually a NA? Hmmm...
DeleteHi Annalisa - having just searched for NA - what it is .. New Adult .. I give up!
ReplyDeleteBut your book will do well wherever it is .. I love the sound of it ... and I'm sure your tour will give you loads of readers ...
Cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary, yes New Adult, it's supposed to bridge the gap between Young Adult (YA) and adult books, I guess. But it does seem to have got hijacked by a lot of sex, as far as I can tell.
DeleteI always kind of put Cat in the YA category too because it's a teen imagining a future, right? You do that whole tricky writing thing, but that's what I thought.
ReplyDeleteBut I see what you're saying. Like I've thought about writing a book with a teen character, but one I don't think would be appropriate for teens. Hmm. I don't know.
Your book idea sounds interesting. If in doubt, write it, and worry later (like around about the stage I am now, lol)
DeleteIt's interesting you see Cat that way. I love hearing how people have read it. I'm not saying if you're right or wrong though, because I don't think it matters. I love that I've written something that people can read in different ways. I'd like to think that in a 100 years' time, people will be arguing over my book in college :-)
I would read it, I think it has more to do with the content and theme of the story than the age. If I can help with the tour just drop me a line.
ReplyDeleteI hope that's how most people approach books, whatever the genre - but I wondered whether I was being naïve.
DeleteThanks for your offer. I've emailed you :-)
I was excited when NA came out. I thought it was simply YA but aged up so the characters weren't such drama queens. But then I found that they created NA to add sex to YA stories! Yes, the worst of both worlds (for me). Nonetheless, I wouldn't expect sex scenes from your book, and I'm pitching my upcoming one as NA to those reviewers who say they love NA... You really can't tell what categories are what anymore...
ReplyDeleteOh! I put your book on my GR list!
DeletePerhaps NA will evolve again at some point. It's a good idea to pitch your book to a wide variety of reviewers. Thanks for adding my book to your GR list :-)
DeleteI agree with Suzanne. It's the theme that attracts not the age of the characters.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy to help out with your blog tour. Just let me know the details. (njburggraf@gmail.com)
The comments here are very reassuring. I was starting to wonder if I had to make my character 46!
DeleteThanks for the offer, I've emailed you.
I think adult books are more about the themes they tackle than the age of the characters. Ooh, look at that, I'm repeating what's already been said. I might have a spot on my blog, but I have to double check. Shoot me an email and we'll chat.
ReplyDeleteThat's because I mix with some very sensible people who tell me when I'm being daft :-) I'll email, thanks.
DeleteIt's all about the shelf and I really don't think that's how books should be categorized, but I'm not in sales, so what do I know? I write what's called YA because my MC are mostly 17. Still I have some characters of varying ages involved and my readers are often a lot older than teens. I read what's good and not by how old the MC is or what the theme is.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, Lee. If it's a good book, people will read it.
DeleteI'd be happy to help you out on your tour. As for your question, I might expect the story to be YA or NA, but it does depend on the story itself.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the blurb (if it ever gets that far) will emphasise that it's not NA! Although today I was writing a scene where the MC is in school, and it almost felt YA.
DeleteI'll email you, thanks :-)
My characters are all in their mid-twenties because like you said that's the trend. I think that's true across the board in any genre.
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I think you can get a lot more drama from younger characters, although one day I would love to write about someone my age.
DeleteHurry up June!
ReplyDeleteIn terms of seventeen being adult or NA, I'm with one of the posts above. I think the themes and/or heat level determine a lot. If there is sex but themes of breaking free and finding your place in the world, then it's NA. If the themes are more complex, and it's not just about adding heat, than I'd say go adult. But that's just my two cents.
Thanks Kim, that makes a lot of sense. My characters aren't necessarily trying to find their place in the world, but their place in their own heads! I definitely consider my work to be adult, but I was curious why some people don't.
DeleteHi Annalisa! I've added it to my GR to read list. And if you need another spot for your blog tour, email me...den.covey@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support, Denise. My tour has filled up, though - three whole weeks, thanks to 15 wonderful bloggers :-)
DeleteI wouldn't automatically assume that a book with young characters was aimed at readers of that age.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patsy - I guess if the blurb makes clear the themes and story, those preconceptions shouldn't exist.
DeleteCan't wait to read this! And I agree with Patsy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda :-)
DeleteWould love to help you spread the word. Count me in. Also added your book to my read list on Goodreads:) Congrats.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tania. I've filled up my blog tour, but I'll email you anyway :-)
Deleteemail me! i'm always ready to share the love if it's not to late!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy :-)
Delete