Since I recently self-published my debut NA psychological horror, The Bleeding Heart, I’ve been thinking a lot about what new adult is, what it means to me, and how it’s perceived in the publishing world. Why? Because unless I’m talking to another writer or someone in the book industry, new adult is a completely foreign term and I’ve had to explain it to quite a few people.
I have found a niche in new adult horror, so I decided to dedicate my posts on our blog to this category and genre of literature. I hope you join me in the celebration:) Before we can move on, we all need to understand exactly what NA (new adult) really is.
WHERE DID THE TERM NEW ADULT COME FROM?
St. Martin’s Press coined the term New Adult in 2009, during a special call for material that was geared toward upper YA or “new adult”–protagonists were to be age 18 or older, but 20s was preferred.
WHAT IS NEW ADULT?
New adult stories focus on protagonists who are 18-26 and their transition from adolescence to adulthood. These NA characters are experiencing: college, moving out of the childhood home, getting a new job/career, military employment, dating, etc.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT NEW ADULT?
There are so many misconceptions about what NA is, and here are the top 5:
1. NA is just a money-making scheme.
2. NA is just an excuse to add sex to young adult stories.
3. NA does not have enough followers to make it worth publishing.
4. NA is only romance.
5. NA is just a trend and won’t last.
WHAT’S THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT NEW ADULT?
The good news is, that NA is slowly but surely being recognized by the publishing industry. Even though the majority of new adult titles are being self-published, more and more writers are getting traditional book deals. With this happening, there’s more of a spotlight on the expansion of genres within the category of new adult–especially horror.
For us here at The Midnight Society, this is what we’re interested in. Over the next few months, I’ll be placing a huge, sweltering spotlight on new adult horror. Look out world…
Kathy Palm
Yes! Yes! Yes! NA is slowly becoming a thing. And so much of it is romance… which we need to change. So bravo for putting horror out there. Someday I will join you and write the NA horror forming in my head. Mwahahahahaha!
Amy Giuffrida
Please come join me! I love knowing that NA is just ripe for some new additions!