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When does YA become adult?
5 months ago  ::  Oct 26, 2009 - 1:27AM #1
Hope09
Posts: 1

I am writing a novel where my protagonist is 18-19.  It has been recommended that I try to submit it under YA due to the themes it explores like...


having young attractive characters
- Mara losing her virginity
- Mara is at the beginning stages of learning to use her powers/she's coming into her own as a warrior
- Mara is coming to grips with her true identity

and because "the book needs more depth and complexity to appeal to an adult audience"


This is urban fantasy and almost everyone she comes in contact with, regardless of how 'young' they look are really pretty old. She is just starting her 'immortality' if that makes sense.


Is this really YA?  Please let me know what you think. Thank you!


 


 

5 months ago  ::  Oct 27, 2009 - 8:46PM #2
Melissa Southern
Posts: 1

I read plenty of adult and young adult depending on if it something I think I'm going to like, and this sounds YA to me.  I've read plenty of YA books recently that explore similar themes, such as the main character losing her virginity and learning to use some type of powers she's developing.  I think the line gets crossed when a writer goes into too much specific detail about sex.  YA  generally uses abstract imagery to describe sex or skips the actual description of the act altogether, only using the barest of detail.  For example, Bella and Edward's honeymoon in BREAKING DAWN or Seth performing oral sex on Aislinn in WICKED LOVELY.  You could look over those as examples of where to draw the line between YA and Adult.  I hope this helps.


Melissa Southern

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