Have you heard of the New Adult genre of fiction? Today Juliana Haygert talks a little about what New Adult is and addresses some of the common stereotypes. Read on to hear more about this quickly-growing genre and her own newly-released New Adult novel.
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What is New Adult?
I write New Adult. Have you heard of it?
Here’s a quick summary from my group blog, NA Alley’s page:
“We view New Adult fiction (NA) as a category of literature—meaning, it gives readers content expectations, but it does not dictate genre-based criteria. Typically, a novel is considered NA if it encompasses the transition between adolescence—a life stage often depicted in Young Adult (YA) fiction—and true adulthood.
Protagonists generally fall between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, though exceptions may apply. NA characters are often portrayed experiencing: college, living away from home for the first time, military deployment, apprenticeships, a first steady job, a first serious relationship, etc.”
One thing I hear a lot is that NA is YA with more sex. That’s so wrong. New Adult is that phase when you’re supposed to be an adult (you’re over 18yo after all), but you don’t feel like one. It’s the moment when you truly explore life, have new experiences, try to be a better person, make a career, find a place for yourself in the world. What differentiates New Adult from the other categories (YA and Adult) is the reaction of the character, not just the age. It’s how she reacts to the situation she’s up against—and that’s when “is an adult but doesn’t feel like one” comes in to play nicely, giving unexpected twists and making these stories very interesting.
For now, you’ll find a lot more contemporary NA books out there, but it’s changing. As any other category, New Adult is spreading and touching other genres: paranormal, thriller, fantasy, sci-fi …
Have you read any NA books? What do you think? Do you like them?
Destiny Gift
Destiny Gift is a New Adult Paranormal Romance by Juliana Haygert. Here’s more about the story:
Thirty years in the future, a sinister New York City exists in permanent darkness.
A student at the secured NYU, nineteen-year-old Nadine has visions of Victor Gianni, an imaginary guy she has real feelings for. Afraid of being truly insane, she explains the visions away as simple daydreams, but she can no longer deny them when she bumps into Victor in real life. But this Victor doesn’t know her, and turns her away. After the encounter, Nadine’s visions change to those of eerie fates, gods she’s never heard of, demons with sharp claws they are not too timid to use … and instructions.
To discover if she’s losing her mind, Nadine follows the vague directions—with the real, rude and reluctant Victor—leading to a man who knows it all: Nadine can restore an ancient creed by unveiling the clues on her visions, and bring sunlight and peace to the world again. But that’s only if the demons and the other evil forces behind the darkness don’t stop her first.
Grab Destiny Gift now:
Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Kobo | Smashwords | Createspace | Goodreads | Pinterest Board
About the Author
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | NA Alley
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Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Hi 🙂
“One thing I hear a lot is that NA is YA with more sex. That’s so wrong.” <— I'm pleased other people have this view as well. It would be a bit disappointing if that's all it was!
Yes, I fully agree! It’s not fair to the genre to assume all NA books are “smut” (which I’ve heard before).
Here’s to getting the word out about a variety of NA stories!
Her definition of New Adult fiction is what we always called “coming of age” novels, with or without the sex.
Hmm, I’m not sure about that. You might be right, but I’ve always thought of “coming of age” stories as a younger range, like transitioning through puberty and discovering about adulthood for the first time. It’s possible that they do share some common themes, though.
Thanks for the comment. 🙂
You touch on something that a lot of people miss out in when describing NA and it’s that it’s about characters that are “an adult but doesn’t feel like one” – that’s exactly how I see it. Great post and thanks for sharing!
Great point, Jennifer! Thanks for stopping by.
Oh! A book by a fellow warchick! It sounds interesting. I’m probably “too old” to be reading NA, but I hardly care. I like some YA too!
Thanks for explaining NA, I’ve heard it before and was told it was adult transition reading. I thought something like what you described but wasn’t sure until now. A lot of my works are probably NA as well then.
Good luck with the book, Juliana!
Also, whatever you’re doing for NA’s good name must be something because I’ve not yet encountered “YA with more sex” as a descriptor until I read the comments hehe.
You’re never too old for NA or YA! Who says you have to read in your age range? I’m older than NA, but that’s where I write, and I may always be able to relate to the themes of NA.