New adult fiction

Department with New adult books in a German bookstore (2023)

New adult (NA) fiction is a developing genre of fiction with protagonists in the 18–29 age bracket.[1][failed verification] St. Martin's Press first coined the term in 2009, when they held a special call for "fiction similar to young adult fiction (YA) that can be published and marketed as adult—a sort of an 'older YA' or 'new adult'".[2] New adult fiction tends to focus on issues such as leaving home, developing sexuality, and negotiating education and career choices.[3] The genre has gained popularity rapidly over the last few years, particularly through books by self-published bestselling authors such as Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cora Carmack, Colleen Hoover, Anna Todd, and Jamie McGuire.[4][5]

The genre originally faced criticism, as some viewed it as a marketing scheme,[6] while others claimed the readership was not there to publish the material.[7] In contrast, others claimed the term was necessary; a publicist for HarperCollins described it as "a convenient label because it allows parents and bookstores and interested readers to know what is inside".[8]

Examples of books in the new adult genre include Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass, Jennifer L. Armentrout's Wait for You and Blood and Ash series, Jamie McGuire's Beautiful Disaster,[9] Colleen Hoover's Slammed,[10] Cora Carmack's Losing It,[11] Kendall Ryan's The Impact of You[12] and Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue.[13]

  1. ^ Beckett, Sandra L. (2008). Crossover Fiction: Global and Historical Perspectives. pp. 111, 119–126 (registration required).
  2. ^ Jae-Jones, S. "St. Martin's New Adult Contest". sjaejones.com. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  3. ^ Chappell, Briony (10 September 2012). "Would you read novels aimed at 'new adults'?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  4. ^ Donahue, Deirdre (15 April 2013). "New Adult fiction is the hot new category in books". USA Today. Archived from the original on 31 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  5. ^ Howison, Del. "Karl Alexander Interview Part 3". fearnet.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  6. ^ "'New Adult' Fiction Is Now an Official Literary Genre Because Marketers Want Us to Buy Things". jezebel.com. 15 November 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  7. ^ Deahl, Rachel; Rosen, Judith (14 December 2012). "New Adult: Needless Marketing-Speak Or Valued Subgenre?". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  8. ^ Kaufman, Leslie (21 December 2012). "Beyond Wizards and Vampires, to Sex". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  9. ^ "'New Adult' books growing up". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 19 May 2013.[dead link]
  10. ^ "Emerging 'New Adult' Book Genre Puts Smut Fiction on Bestseller Lists". ABC News. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  11. ^ Berman, Dr. Laura (17 February 2013) [15 January 2013]. "Are your teens ready for New Adult fiction?". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  12. ^ Lamb, Joyce (9 June 2013). "Sexy-romance author Kendall Ryan gives New Adult a try". USA Today. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  13. ^ Haley (13 May 2019). "New Adult Favorite: Red, White and Royal Blue Review". fangirlfury.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.