Publishing believes teens don't want to read about adult MCs, so crossover is YA that appeals to teens AND adults who like to read YA. So you *should* be using YA comps, preferably with older teen (18 or 19yo) MCs #RevPit - ThreadSky

jenichappelle.bsky.social • 7 days ago

Publishing believes teens don't want to read about adult MCs, so crossover is YA that appeals to teens AND adults who like to read YA. So you *should* be using YA comps, preferably with older teen (18 or 19yo) MCs #RevPit

Reposted from Meghan Spelbrink is QUERYING 📚❤️🤞

Oh! This isn’t my sub, but I have a general question about this. Can you use a YA comp title if you say something like “but for adults”? My closest comp is YA, but I’m writing more NA/Adult crossover…

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abbyjwrites.bsky.social•7 days ago

I think I'm more confused now (which may just be my sick brain lol). You're saying trad pub rejects A crossover for YA crossover? If a book is solidly adult (in themes, content, and MC age) but reads fast paced and "vibey" like YA, how would an author market that in a query?

jenichappelle.bsky.social•7 days ago

Trad pub considers "crossover" to be YA with adult elements. In their view, there is no "adult crossover," only "adult," and you might have a hard time or they might want you to age down the MC to 18 or 19. This is why YA has so many books that are really too adult for teens, but that's a whole rant

abbyjwrites.bsky.social•7 days ago

Oh okay, thanks for clarifying. I knew this was a thing forever ago but I've been in my writerly cave for so long I didn't know it was still going on! Super unfortunate, considering my current book 🙃 (also invite me to that rant if you ever get to it lol)

mspelbrinkwrites.bsky.social•7 days ago

Oh perfect! Phew! I was a little worried there for a minute. 😅 My best comps are YA/NA but my protag is in that like early 20s range. Just wanted to make sure it was hitting correctly.

jenichappelle.bsky.social•7 days ago

So, are you using "crossover"? Or marketing as NA? Or adult?

mspelbrinkwrites.bsky.social•7 days ago

I believe my wording is “for new adult and adult fans of Roseanne A. Brown’s A Song of Wraiths and Ruin series” (which is YA).

I’m happy to adjust if that’s not quite right though…

mspelbrinkwrites.bsky.social•7 days ago

I could probably work the word “crossover” in there somewhere 🤔

jenichappelle.bsky.social•7 days ago

In general, if the MC is 20s, stick with adult. Crossover is technically YA and has teen MCs. BUT if you’re keeping the MC in their 20s and marketing it as adult, you should def try to find adult comps. For example, Fourth Wing is technically adult, even though it feels like YA in some ways

mspelbrinkwrites.bsky.social•7 days ago

Alas. Adult princess books are hard to find! 🤪

mspelbrinkwrites.bsky.social•7 days ago

🤔🤔🤔 Okay! Thanks for your help. I’ll see what I can find.

teawhilewriting.bsky.social•7 days ago

I'm an adult who reads YA. I generally prefer YA that touches on universal themes

katevwrites.bsky.social•7 days ago

I think I asked this too so please disregard that question when you get there— and thanks again for your time answering these!!

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