New Adult Romance

THE SCORE SHEET

~ ALL SPECIFIC SECTIONS

Most of the opinions on judging and interpreting the questions’ intent are my own words. I’ve only been in the business 15 years and have spoken to many authors, gathering information. A lot of the time when a question is asked, I go to authors who publish in that genre for advice. Please use your own expertise and experience, but keep our humble interpretations in mind. Thanks, Angi

~If you have an additional question regarding your specific category, please send it directly to GEcoordinator@ntrwa.org.

~Some of the explanations are the same for general questions which require some expected knowledge of the sub-genre. If you require a more in-depth definition of the genre...please send an email for additional information. Additional resources are being posted this week.

~For your convenience we’ve included a description of each category as described on our FINAL EDITORS page.

The New Adult category was mailed to judges on 1-12.

*NEW ADULT*

Novels appropriate for new adult readers. Includes heroes and heroines not exceeding 25 years of age. Novels similar to YA that can be published and marketed as adult—a sort of older YA market. New Adult fiction tends to focus on "first" experience issues. Some examples are leaving home, developing sexuality, negotiating education, first job or career choices. An example is SHATTER by Erin McCarthy.

SPECIFIC TO THE NEW ADULT CATEGORY

Possible 20 point total to award, 5 points per question

____  Is the main character dealing with first time adult situations such as, but not limited to: struggling with their first job, first time living away from parents, or first serious relationship?  

____  Is the plot centered around the period in the main character's life when he/she is transitioning from a teen to an emerging adult? (Or adolescence to adulthood)

____  Is the theme or issue easily definable? Examples include but are not limited to: sexuality, alcohol or drug abuse, family issues, innocence loss, fear, race, choices, independence, war...

____  Are the secondary characters necessary, interesting, and believable?

Breaking Down the Questions

____    Is the main character dealing with first time adult situations such as, but not limited to: struggling with their first job, first time living away from parents, or first serious relationship?  

Some examples of what New Adult covers are the same issues as classic films: Dirty Dancing, The Prince and Me, The Devil Wears Prada (movie version not the book). But they can also be angstier, darker and grittier too.

____    Is the plot centered around the period in the main character's life when he/she is transitioning from a teen to an emerging adult? (Or adolescence to adulthood)

This question is meant to reflect first time changes. The age might be college graduate into adulthood (as in The Devil Wears Prada). Here’s an article in USA Today recommended by an editor who purchases New Adult.

____    Is the theme or issue easily definable? Examples include but are not limited to: sexuality, alcohol or drug abuse, family issues, innocence loss, fear, race, choices, independence, war...

Judging this question should be easy. A definable “young” subject should appear in the first 5,000 words. What’s the definition of “young subject”? Well…I think I can tell you it’s not stories about retirement, second loves, older loves, etc. Think back to all those exciting, adventurous moments when all of life was ahead of you. (Okay, there’s still a lot of life ahead of me, too. BUT these are FIRST-TIME experiences.)

____    Are the secondary characters necessary, interesting, and believable?

As with any length and any sub-genre of romance, the secondary characters must have a purpose in the scene. One point to watch out for is if they’re info-dumping. Now, a second character in the room is the perfect way to give the reader information without the POV character just thinking about it. Dialogue is always better (in my humble opinion). A dialogue (or mental note that the secondary character is talking a lot LOL) gives purpose and makes the character necessary.

From editor Elizabeth Potent, our final round judge last year.

“New Adult novels need to be contemporary, set either in or after college, and show characters trying to find themselves. The themes are more mature—college, parties, bad boys, sex, etc.—but the writing still has that youthful edge to it. These books are about people who don’t have it all figured out but are trying. More than that, New Adult is a very commercial category and very e-driven.”

If you have specific questions regarding this section, please contact GEcoordinator@ntrwa.org.

Additional help tips for this category may be available through the coordinator or on our blog.