Is the Young Adult genre dead?
This is a question I get often when I tell people I’m writing a Young Adult Fantasy novel. With the resurgence of the Twilight Renaissance and Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes filling the internet, I kinda thought the answer was obvious. No, the Young Adult genre is not dead.
Here are my thoughts on why the YA Genre isn’t dead and continues to grow, and at the end of this blog post I’m including some statistics for those who want some hard evidence.
Though the YA genre is typically aimed at readers aged 12-18, it can easily be enjoyed by adults because it doesn’t shy away from heavy subjects. YA often deals with themes and issues that are relevant to anyone at any age, such as identity, self-discovery, love, friendship, and social justice.
The YA genre encompasses a wide range of sub-genres, including contemporary, dystopian, romance, coming-of-age, and fantasy. So whether you adore cute Rom-Coms or an Epic Medieval Fantasy,–YA has it all.
YA books often have strong and relatable protagonists, which can be empowering for young readers. Some have criticized YA for being too simplistic when it comes to plot formation but I argue that it provides an important gateway for young readers to develop a love for reading. The plot doesn’t need to be overly complex for it to tug at the heart strings.
One of the coolest things about the YA genre is how it has evolved to become more diverse, with a greater emphasis on representing marginalized voices and experiences. Every year more and more amazing cultures are explored and given a chance to shine with the YA Genre.
Thanks primarily because of BookTok and Bookstagram, the YA genre has developed a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase, with many readers forming communities online and attending conventions and events centered around their favorite books and authors.
Now that you’ve heard my opinions, let’s get a little statistical:
1.Young adult fiction saw a 5.5% growth in sales from 2019 to 2020 according to Gitnux (Software and Stats.)
This statistic is significant in the context of book sales by genre statistics, as it indicates that young adult fiction is a genre that is gaining traction in the market. This could be a sign that readers are increasingly interested in stories that are tailored to their age group, and that publishers should consider investing more resources into this genre.
Read the Full Article Here: https://blog.gitnux.com/book-sales-by-genre-statistics/
2. According to the NDP Group (A Marketing Research group) the Young Adult category is still up nearly 50% over 2019.
Here are two quotes from the article:
“After its best year on record in 2021, the young adult fiction category is maintaining its momentum in 2022. In the 52 weeks ending November 5, 2022, sales of young adult print books in the U.S. grew 3%. While this increase appears modest compared to the high watermark growth of 2021, it represents an increase of over 50% compared to 2019, according to The NPD Group.
“The young adult category has continued its growth trend in 2022,” said Kristen McLean, books industry analyst for NPD. “Growth has been driven by a variety of authors and series, which were supported by BookTok and word-of-mouth discovery. As we approach the key holiday season, it appears that 2022 will be the second-best year on record for the young adult market.”
Here’s the article if you wish to read more: https://www.npd.com/news/press-releases/2022/young-adult-fiction-books-maintain-sales-momentum-in-2022-npd-says/#:~:text=In%20the%2052%20weeks%20ending,according%20to%20The%20NPD%20Group.
3. Some sources estimate: YA literature genre accounted for over $1 billion in book sales in the US in 2019.
So in conclusion, no the Young Adult Genre is not dead.
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