}: P r o p o s e d T O P I C :{
As a writer of Young Adult and New Adult genre focused literature, how would you best
describe what separates the two from each other and what defines them as being individualistically unique? There are misconceptions about both genres, from what they are meant to include inside the structure of their stories to the age of whom is meant to be reading them. How would you best describe their definitions as literary selections and how did you personally approach writing for this specific market? Can you expand by using your own writings as examples of your own style vs other stories that are being featured in today’s market?
Tattoo for Asher by Teresa Reasor (author & artist).
Ebook Cover Art
}: Book Synopsis :{
Grace Ballard has been in love with Asher Howell for a long time. When she was sixteen, he became her hero, and she fell head over heels for the boy with a ring through his eyebrow, a big heart, and an unending sense of justice. But two years ago he left for college without a backward glance, leaving Grace to wonder if she’d imagined everything.
With no reason to wait for Asher to return, Grace moved on, and Asher’s brother, Adam, stepped in to help her pick up the pieces. But Asher never left her thoughts… or her heart. Now, two years later, tragedy brings Asher home and back into Grace’s life. The boy who left her behind is now very much a man – a licensed tattoo artist, much to his parents’ dismay, and still carrying a major torch for Grace. But two years apart has changed them both, and the things that happened during their separation may create a divide that can’t be crossed.
Asher and his brother both left their mark on Grace’s heart. Will Asher’s be able to stand the test of time?
First of all,
thanks so much for the invitation to guest post,
and for being a part of the cover reveal for ASHER’S MARK.
I think there is some confusion about “Young Adult” and “New Adult” fiction. Young Adult describes the intended age range of readers, as well as the age of the main characters. New Adult refers to the age range of the characters (post high school – early twenties). What these terms DON’T do is give potential readers ideas about the content of the book. Naturally, when browsing books in a store or online, customers can read the book blurbs to find out more information, but, as an author, I think it’s important to give as much information as possible. Which is why I try to make clear what “genre” my stories fall under. For example, my first published book, Once Again, is listed at Amazon the following way:
Once Again (Young Adult Paranormal Romance) (Sky Cove #1)
This way, the customer can tell in one glance, the age range, genre, and the series number. If they’re interested, they can scroll to the blurb to read more.
My approach to both YA and NA fiction is to write emotional stories that are satisfying and express a “greater” message. For younger readers, I want then to walk away from my books feeling encouraged to never give up on their dreams and to feel confident to be themselves. For readers like me, who are adults but enjoy reading YA, I want my stories to give readers an opportunity to revisit the exuberance of youth!
New Adult fiction really runs the gamut of possibilities. A lot of NA fiction is very “adult” in terms of the hero and heroine’s relationship. For this reason, it’s important that authors disclose as much information as possible to potential readers. Fortunately, most NA authors I read are VERY good at this. It’s something I appreciate, both as a reader, and as a teacher and parent who often recommends books to young readers. My personal approach to NA fiction is to focus less on the physical aspects of the relationship, and more on the emotional aspects, as well as the growth and maturity of the characters, who are at a sort of “crossroads” in their lives, as they transition into adulthood.
A sampling of New Adult reads which are similar in style to “Asher’s Mark”:
Colleen Hoover’s “Maybe Someday”. She has other novels that are “New Adult” that are a bit more “sexual”, but “Maybe Someday” pretty much leaves that part out until the VERY last scene of the book. This was a really good book, with an ORIGINAL soundtrack to go along with it!
Site | Twitter | Maybe Someday Soundtrack Site
Cora Carmack’s “All Lined Up” is another that I really liked. It’s the first in her Rusk University series, so the characters are college aged. Again, this book leaves the sexual stuff out pretty much until the very last scene. The characters are very intentional about the pace at which they embrace the physical side of their relationship. They were very “responsible” to not rush things, which I thought was great. Book 2 in the series is out in October.
I really enjoy Sarina Bowen’s “The Ivy Years” books. Again, these are set on the campus of a college – a fictional Ivy League college. The first book, “The Year We Fell Down” was spectacular. The heroine was a hockey player who suffered an injury, and starts college as a paraplegic. The hero is the star of the university’s hockey team. In terms of sexual situations, there is a “mild” one halfway through, then another toward the end. But it doesn’t “consume” the book. The second book, “The Year We Hid Away” is also spectacular. There’s a bit more “physical stuff” in this book, but it doesn’t take over the story.
Another author that I LOVE is Amy Harmon. Her most recent book “Infinity + One”, features characters who are early twenties, as does her books “A Different Blue” and “Making Faces”. Her book “Running Barefoot” follows the same couple from junior high/high school through early/mid twenties. It’s one of my favorite books EVER! Her books do not contain premarital sex at all. There’s kissing and the “build up”, but as she is a Christian/inspirational style writer, there is no premarital sex. In “Infinity + One”, the characters get married part of the way through the book, but even then, the scenes are very tasteful and dignified.
Thanks again for having me on your blog, Jorie. I’m so glad Twitter gave us a chance to connect! And to your readers, thanks for taking the time to learn a bit more about me and my writing. I hope you’ll check out ASHER’S MARK when it releases next month!
Author Connections:
Site | @Amy_Durham | Facebook | GoodReads
Converse via: #AshersMark or #AmyDurham
As a book blogger, reader, and Prospective Adoptive Mum, this particular Guest Topic I suggested was a personal choice to allow Ms. Durham to fuse together a bit of what she shared with me in our conversation about this topic and a way in which to highlight other authors of whom Ms. Durham has previously read who appreciate the same style of writing she does herself! What I found the most exciting about all of this is that there are transitional stage writers who are allowing the teen and college-aged reader an ‘alternative’ choice to reading adult fiction! And, to this I am celebrating the variety of choices on the literary market right now, as I made the transition from Children’s Literature straight into adult fiction before I entered high school. I was emotionally ready for the changes that came with the transition as the stories were inevitable to include harder hitting back-stories & elements that you would suspect would be inclusive. I always sought out stories with a bit of light in the underscore and undertone of the overall message, thematic, or climax of the plot itself, as I was never one for dark toned stories nor the darker side of life in general. Even when I read fantasy, I lean more towards the humanistic and personal journey of the character and the gist of where their journey leads them through their own world and setting.
I am also thrilled to bits to learn that there is far more to the ‘genres’ than readily meets the eye, including the full understanding of each designation and what the keywords are attempting to reveal to us. I know I am not the only reader of Children’s Literature, Middle Grade, Young Adult, or everything in-between prior to crossing the bridge into the adult realms — no matter how we found ourselves as adult readers wrapped inside these beautiful stories by writers who carve out a sense of positivity etched into honest and real stories; we can at least feel a bit better about the one genre I think I was not the only one who felt did not quite match our expectations. I applaud Ms. Durham for re-opening the door into New Adult as it was one door I felt I might have to close as I simply could not find my niche inside this branch between Young Adult and Adult fiction.
I clicked through each of the websites she has given us as a sampling of work available today, and was happily surprised by what I found whilst going from site to site. One author even offers book bloggers the chance to sign up for a newsletter where they can have the potential to not only stay in contact with the author but to have the chance to read her novels! Others include special ‘extras’ on their sites such as book excerpts or ways in which to directly interact with the writer. And, my personal favourite as I love listening to music is the soundtrack for one of the novels which you can listen too off its very own website! Each of the authors she discloses in her ‘next reads of inspiring New Adult authors’ are a stepping stone towards embracing a new genre that many of us are only starting to endeavour to embrace.
This Author Guest Post is courtesy of:
the author Amy Durham.
Be sure to scope out my Bookish Upcoming Events to mark your calendars!!
Previously I hosted Book Spotlight & Cover Reveal for “Asher’s Mark”!
Similar to blog tours, when I feature a showcase for an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog.
Kindly leave a note for Ms. Durham in the comment threads below, as I will be alerting her as they arrive in for response! Do you currently read stories within the New Adult genre and if so, what are your own particular wanderings therein? Do you seek out authors who temper the physicality of the relationship to dig into a heartier girth of story-lines OR do you read a mixture of straight-up New Adult & this new kind that focuses on giving positive role models & stories for younger audiences? I look forward to your recommendations, if you give authors & titles of what you enjoy reading in New Adult!
{SOURCES: Book Cover art for “Asher’s Mark”, Amy Durham photograph and book synopsis were provided by the author Amy Durham and used with permission. Cover Reveal badge provided by Parajunkee to give book bloggers definition on their blogs.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2014.
Amy, this was an excellent description of the differences between YA and NA :) I like your approach as far as focusing more on the emotional rather than the physical, too! Excellent post :)
I felt Ms. Durham has a true gift for imparting not only the differences but giving true examples of how certain writers are trying to take back the genre and represent it in a way that might not have been expected but what the readers deserve to discover. I had a feeling this particular post might strike an accord with you; now that I know where your own literary heart lies. :) Cheers!
Yep, a kidlit heart here, and like you, not one who likes certain aspects overdone or for no reason :)