Thoughts on the New Adult Genre

Sally Stuart recently posted about a new genre in books called New Adult fiction. She explains that New Adult books target “the 20+ crowd” and “contain more mature themes and are meant to appeal to this age group’s needs.”

The Guardian defines it as ranging from ages 14-35. That’s quite a span. However, this source does provide a helpful definition, explaining that in these books, “the main characters transform from teenagers into adults and try to navigate the difficulties of post-adolescent life…”

ABC calls it the new “smut” fiction. Yuck.

I resent the inference that new adults in their late teens and twenties are only looking for trashy, explicit, “coming of age” stories. With all the changes this generation is facing, they need compelling, clean fiction with decent role models more than ever.

But I’ll get off my soap box. Suffice it to say that there is clearly going to be a dramatic difference between everyday New Adult fiction and Christian New Adult fiction.

Young Adult vs. New Adult

I first heard the term New Adult at the 2013 Florida Christian Writer’s Conference when I was pitching my Wings of the Dawn series to an agent. When I described it as a young adult series with a transcendent quality appealing to adults as well, the agent suggested it might better fit the New Adult genre.

Me: What’s New Adult?

Agent: It’s a genre that shows a post high-school character confronting and dealing with life changes throughout the course of the story.

Me: That kind of sounds like my heroine.

In addition to the protagonist’s age and stage of life, the content and issues explored in the story also factor in when determining if a book could be categorized as New Adult.

Think about Nancy Drew books. If I remember correctly, Nancy is eighteen, which is border line between Young Adult and New Adult. However, I read this series in middle school – or maybe even elementary. The content level is an easy-read mystery, not a story exploring complex issues.

Why New Adult?

From personal experience, I think New Adult is oftentimes an overlooked age group. I’ve been a part of college and career groups and also currently work with my church’s youth group. Teens and Twenty-Somethings are facing so many challenges in today’s society, and the transition from high school into advanced education, career and commitments can be confusing. Designing fiction that targets the needs of this age group makes perfect sense.

However, I think New Adult fiction should approach tough topics honestly but also in a clean way. This content will likely appeal to younger adults (12-18) who may be looking for role models in their reading or find themselves thrust into circumstances that force them to “grow up” faster than expected.

The bottom line? Christian New Adult fiction should help this age group see the truth of God’s Word applied to the circumstances characters face.

After all, the Bible is the ultimate guide to the challenges and changes of life. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Have you read any good New Adult Christian fiction lately? What did you like or dislike about it?

Writers, Have Your Elevator Speech Ready

I remember attending my first trade show to represent a company and its products. My supervisor asked me, “Do you have your elevator speech ready?”

“My what?” I replied.

An elevator speech is your content condensed into the amount of time you spend in an elevator. In other words, it’s your small window of opportunity – most likely a minute or less – to interest your prospective customer in your product.

The concept of having an elevator speech for my book didn’t dawn on me until I was preparing for my first book signing.

I asked myself the question, “What will I say when someone asks me what my book is about?”

The answer may not be as obvious as it seems. As an author, you know your book better than anyone else. There’s the pro. The challenge is distancing yourself from everything you know and finding a way to summarize your 200+ page novel into two or three short sentences.  

So what should an author’s elevator speech include? Here's what I suggest.

Genre

What category or categories does your book fall into? Is it fiction or non-fiction? If it’s fiction, is it a mystery, romance, fantasy, or other? If it’s non-fiction, is it a biography, informational book, or devotional? There are dozens of genres, so be specific in identifying which ones apply to your book.

Audience

For whom did you write the book? Identifying your target audience will help anyone you’re conversing with decide if the book is right for them or someone they know.

Hook

What is so interesting about your book that would make people want to read it? This is your chance to share just enough information about your story to arouse curiosity. Don’t try to summarize your entire plot; you’ll lose your audience, and find yourself floundering to finish your sentences.  

Then, take these elements, and combine them in a way that is conversational. Here’s an example for my newly released book:

Secrets Beyond Lake Winona’s Shore is a Christian fiction mystery that young adults and families will enjoy. Abigail "Abby" Grant, my heroine from book one, stumbles upon a mystery in the lakes region of New Hampshire and must uncover forgotten Cold War secrets in time to save a man’s life. The plot explores right and wrong ways to respond to situational dilemmas while underscoring the value of forgiveness.

A related exercise would be to take your elevator speech and condense it into one sentence. For a formula, check our Rachelle Gardner’s blog on Writing a One-Sentence Summary.

The takeaway from all this is to be prepared. Don’t be caught off guard when someone says, “Hey, congrats on the new book. So what’s it about?”

Be ready to answer.