I wrote twenty-one romance and mystery novels for adults over twenty-three years before I finally penned and published my first young adult book. Actually, I’d written a middle grade novel before that, but since it went into the proverbial “drawer,” I’m not counting it. However, I’m often asked by other writers if writing a young adult novel, after so many years of staying in the adult lane, was a hard transition to make.
The answer is yes…and no. After all, a good story is a good story no matter the age of the protagonist. But it is interesting to point out a couple of things. First, by publishing standards, a young adult novel features a protagonist aged 13 to 18 years old. Anything younger, say from ages 10 to 13, is considered middle-grade literature. While that fits neatly into a publisher’s chart, the problem is there are plenty of young advanced readers, aged 10 to 13-years-old who will often read up to young adult. At first glance, there shouldn’t be a problem with this, but there is. That’s because more than half of all young adult books are purchased by adults older than 18.
This is important because after I’d written a first draft of my first YA mystery novel (not knowing this about young adult readers), I ran it past a few editors who made the following comments:
“Great story and mystery. Unique and clever. But the protagonist is 16. That’s a tough sell for young adult. Add a year, some romance and sexual tension, and this would be great!”
“There isn’t a lot of teen angst in this one. It’s kind of happy and upbeat—not a big seller these days.”
“No romance? No sex? A young voice? This doesn’t seem to reflect an accurate portrayal of a teenager.”
Whoa! What?!? I’ll be honest, these comments surprised me until I realized that a lot of publishers were focused on marketing and buying YA books for adults! But it also saddened me that if publishers weren’t taking books that were truly written for teens between 13 and 18 (and not adults), then what book choices were these “actual” teens left to make?
I had a decision to make regarding my book. Did I switch it up or keep it as is? In my opinion, good writing is good writing. Authentic characterization, exciting plots, and a fulfilling ending are critical regardless of the audience. Personally, I find something innately rewarding when writing teenagers. Teens are blank slates—young individuals searching for their identities, where they fit in, and how they intend to make their mark on the world. Everything is changing, they are constantly being pushed, pulled and challenged in multiple directions.
They are growing and learning new things at a rapid pace. A writer has the opportunity to oversee great character change and growth for each book and a series as a whole. While I think there is definitely a place for angst, pain and drama in YA—it’s an authentic part of the teenage experience, after all—it’s not the only part of being a teen. There are plenty of teens who grow up without super deep angst and drama. Besides, I figured many might want to read something OTHER than angst while they are going through it.
Eventually, after carefully considering the unexpected comments from the editors, I decided to stick with my novel the way it was. I didn’t add more years, dark angst, heavy themes or significant romance. WHITE KNIGHTS, featuring a female teen hacker, was released in December 2017 to little fanfare.
Guess what? It sold like gangbusters! It’s STILL selling like gangbusters a year later! I just released Book #2 in the series, KNIGHT MOVES, in November 2018. Libraries are buying the series, adults are buying it, and teens (yes, actual teenagers and even tweens) are buying it. I’m SOOOO glad I stuck with my initial concept and book. Apparently, there IS a market for fun, non-angsty, teen novels that can be enjoyed by both teens and adults alike. Sometimes, trusting your own gut and instinct really works!
Here are some reader and reviewer comments:
“What a great book for all ages! It shows how people with different personalities can come and work together, and become friends.” ~Goodreads Reader
“It is difficult to find books for my 9-year daughter that interest her, aren’t too easy, and don’t have content that is too old for her. She loves mysteries and isn’t interested in reading about romantic relationships. This was perfect. According to her the book is a page-turner and intriguing.” ~Amazon Reader
“If you enjoy cyber-mysteries this book needs to be at the top of your pile….My robotics loving tween is looking forward to reading it after hearing me laugh out loud while I read it.” ~Amazon Reader
” I like the geek-girl/hacking concept and think it brings a fresh concept to YA books…I would recommend this to fans of humor, nerdiness, spies, secrets, and hacking!” ~YA Books Central
“Absolutely fantastic! Not normally a fan of young adult fiction, but the themes, quirkiness and the fast pace kept me glued.” ~Amazon Reader
“Read this before giving it to my granddaughter & I enjoyed it so much!!!” ~Amazon Reader
“To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. It was positively awesome and an epic read. I am not one that will usually get in a fan club moment on a YA novel but this one does something for readers. It is smart, witty and just plain fun. Anyone between the ages 14 and oh, heck, 99 can enjoy this book.” ~Amazon Reader
“I think Angel is a great role model for younger girls! I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to anyone.” ~Goodreads Reader
“As a child, I loved mystery books; Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, the Five Find-Outers by Enid Blyton, etc. So now, even when I’ve grown up, mystery books has been a soft spot for me. YA + Spy mystery is my weakness…I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.” ~ Erucchii’s Books and Recs
So, back to the initial question of whether it has it been hard switching from writing adult stories to young adult novels. As I mentioned before, the answer is both yes and no. Yes, because of the way young adults novels are traditionally marketed. But no, because a good story will always sell regardless. So, trust your gut and take risks. It’s the way of a writer!
**GIVEAWAY!** I’m giving away an e-copy of either the first book in the Lexi Carmichael series, NO ONE LIVES TWICE, or the first book in the young adult mystery spin-off of the series, WHITE KNIGHTS. How to enter? Let me know if you read YA novels, and what were your favorite mysteries growing up!
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Getting engaged is supposed to be a fun, exciting time in a girl’s life. But things are never that easy for Slash and me. Instead, someone is threatening to expose Slash’s past–a past so secret, even I know very little about it.
Before I can get used the weight of Nonna’s antique ring on my finger, he’s on his way to Rome…and we’re farther apart than we’ve ever been. Still, I have no intention of sitting at home and letting him take on the Vatican by himself.
With a little expert-level hacking, I learn Slash is keeping secrets from me. Big ones. Dangerous ones. In fact, the more I dig into Slash’s past, the more I discover things about him I never knew–things that eventually pit us against each other.
From Rome to the Amalfi coast to the highest levels of the Vatican, we both race to discover the truth. No matter what I find, we’re officially a team now, so I won’t let him face this alone. Even if I don’t know if our relationship can survive it.