New Adult Fiction

The term "new adult" was coined in 2009 to describe fiction similar to YA that can be published and marketed as adult. It later emerged as a sub-genre of romance, but it bore less resemblance to young adult fiction. This Element uses new adult fiction as a case study to explore how genres develop in the twenty-first-century literary marketplace. It argues for greater consideration of paratextual factors in studies of genre and contends that to productively examine genre, we must consider industrial and social factors as well as texts.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 75 pages
\n Publication date: 18 November 2021
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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The term "new adult" was introduced in 2009 by St. Martin's Press, in response to a call for submissions for fiction that would appeal to both young adult (YA) and adult readers. The press sought to create a category that bridged the gap between YA and adult literature, offering stories that were more mature and complex but still accessible to a younger audience. However, the literary genre that emerged from this endeavor bore little resemblance to traditional young adult fiction. Instead, it became a sub-genre of romance, a popular and widely-read genre that had already established its own conventions and tropes.

This Element explores the evolution of new adult fiction as a genre through three key stages. It begins by examining the origins of the term "new adult" and the motivations behind its creation. It then traces the development of new adult fiction from its early iterations to its current form, highlighting the changes and adaptations that have occurred along the way. Finally, it argues for greater consideration of paratextual factors in studies of genre, such as marketing, publishing, and reception.

Using a genre worlds approach, the Element contends that in order to productively examine genre, we must consider not only the texts themselves but also the industrial and social factors that shape them. It suggests that a more holistic understanding of genre can be gained by examining the ways in which different genres are marketed, distributed, and consumed by readers.

In conclusion, the term "new adult" was intended to create a new category of literature that would appeal to both YA and adult readers. However, the genre that emerged from this endeavor bore little resemblance to traditional young adult fiction and instead became a sub-genre of romance. This Element explores the evolution of new adult fiction as a genre through three key stages, highlighting the changes and adaptations that have occurred along the way. It argues for greater consideration of paratextual factors in studies of genre and suggests that a more holistic understanding of genre can be gained by examining the ways in which different genres are marketed, distributed, and consumed by readers.

\n Weight: 110g\n
Dimension: 127 x 176 x 9 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108827881\n \n