Subtitled “Everything You Want to Know About the Hottest Genre in Publishing,” writers Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cora Carmack, and Molly McAdams, agents Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary, and Avon editor Tessa Woodward discussed the emergence of the New Adult subgenre. Here are some highlights from their talk:

1. New Adult focuses on the firsts of everything (first job, first place, first relationship, etc.) plus growing into adulthood–the “awkward heartbreak period,” as one of the writers put it (I was sitting on the floor in the back of the room and couldn’t see who was talking. Sorry!). There’s a coming-of-age aspect that highlights the emergence of the characters as adults who are truly independent and finding their place in a bigger world.
2. NA is different from YA because of age. YA books focus on 14-18, while NA go from 18-25 or so. A couple of the authors transitioned from YA to NA because “adult” or regular romance had heroines in their late 20s and beyond–there was a hole between the high school YA years and what was being published in romance. NA fits in that niche. It’s about the tone and the character journey.
3. NA is also different from YA in voice (many NA books are first person or third person alternating POV) and their treatment of sex. YA, no. NA, yes, with variations of same–everything from pretty chaste to pretty wild.
4. Although lots of the books are seriously angsty, there’s actually a wide range out there. Since the books shine the light on the journey, you have lots of options as a writer. There are no real “rules,” so take risks!
5. There is no specific target audience for NA, since more than 50% of YA readers are in their 30s and beyond.
6. Lots of stress on the role of social media. NA readers are very connected, so work the social media you prefer (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, etc.). Accessibility is key to reaching readers, not choosing a platform. Readers want to meet the voice behind the books, so be prepared to interact.
7. Establish a website early. If you blog, blog. Comment and be a presence. Many readers are discovering new writers through social media and links, but there needs to be solid content there to build a following.

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