It’s an exciting time to be an author of teen books. The world of publishing is changing, the world of teen literature is changing, and let’s face it. We are having to change too. What do I mean?
I believe teen books have expanded to become such a HUGE market many authors are scrambling to keep up on many levels. First, we are learning more and more about E-publishing both where book sales are concerned but also purchasing things like Kindles, Nooks, IPads … all so we can keep up with the times.
And the change doesn’t end there. Because the market is growing at, what I would call an amazing rate, books with teenagers as main characters are becoming ever increasingly complex. (Which I LOVE, by the way!) Have you noticed Hollywood’s blockbuster movies coming out recently?
HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW OFTEN THEY ARE BASED ON YOUNG ADULT NOVELS?
When the sale of my Halfling Series was announced in Publisher’s Marketplace, my agent was contacted by multiple film scouts who were interested in reading book one to see how it would be as a movie. No longer does a book have to hit NYT bestseller status for Hollywood to take an interest! That tells me the YA lit market is growing, growing, growing and also powerful, powerful, powerful.
I’ve been hearing talk of a new YA subgenre … New Adult (at least I think it may be called this) would target older teens and early twentys. Kewl! I like this idea!
At the beginning of the year I did a post about writers as trailblazers. Two of our own Novelteen authors are blazing trails right now! Jill Williamson who just released the final book in the Blood of Kings Trilogy won the Christy Award for book one and Melanie Dickerson is a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards in TWO categories. The Healer’s Apprentice was nominated in both INSPY and Best First Book.
Trailblazers! Finally, I really believe this explosion is going to open a door for lots of great authors. Another exciting trend is the number of TEENAGE authors who are getting publishing contracts! As I said, its an exciting time to be a teen book writer.
Let me know your comments and thoughts about all of this, and keep reading … and writing! Your day might be right around the corner!
Heather Burch
Author of Halflings available from Zondervan February 2012
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It is an exciting time for YA books!
Cool post, Heather.
Great post, Heather!
I’m in Alaska right now, speaking at schools, and I’m AMAZED how many teens own Nooks or Kindles. A lot of teens do, which greatly increases the market for YA books. I find it all very exciting! There can never be enough books for teens, as far as I’m concerned.
Jill