The Rise of New Adult Fiction Highlighted by BookTok Creators
This week marks the launch of The Bookseller’s New Adult Book Prize, prompting BookTok creators to discuss the increasing popularity of new adult fiction. This genre, which bridges the gap between Young Adult (YA) and traditional adult literature, is gaining traction, particularly among social media platforms.
Understanding New Adult Fiction
New adult fiction is a term acknowledged by many creators, with Brittany (@whatbritreads) noting that its recognition differs across regional lines. “I don’t think people really know much outside of the broad categorizations of YA and adult, which is why having a label for the in-between is so important,” she remarked. Her observations suggest that while it resonates strongly in the U.S., awareness in the U.K. remains less pronounced.
The Evolution of Genre Awareness
Lewis (@achilleanshelves), another prominent BookTok creator, commented on the growth of this genre since 2019. He stated, “YA had a huge boom 2019-21 and, as a result, new adult emerged as a sort of ‘YA-style’ read but with more adult themes.” Suraka (@surakajanebooks) echoed this sentiment, observing a gradual increase in discussions around new adult themes on bookish social media platforms.
The Role of Social Media
Creators agree that social media significantly propels the popularity of new adult fiction in the U.K. John-Paul (@jpreads6) emphasized the shift towards honesty in storytelling, capturing the struggles of transitioning into adulthood. “There has been a huge shift in how honest people are being online about the struggles of being a new adult,” he mentioned, with Suraka acknowledging BookTok’s pivotal role in shining a light on new adult narratives, particularly in romance and fantasy genres.
Defining Characteristics of New Adult Fiction
Many creators highlighted “messiness” as a key characteristic of new adult fiction. Brittany explained that this genre encapsulates the chaotic period after coming of age, offering a narrative space to explore independence and identity. John-Paul added that these stories give characters room to make mistakes and learn from them.
Examples of New Adult Literature
A notable example cited is Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue (Pan Macmillan), which Lewis found uniquely balances the readability of YA with mature themes. Samantha echoed this notion, noting the broad array of experiences captured in this genre, appealing to readers transitioning into their twenties.
Future of New Adult Books
Looking ahead, Evie (@eviemaddaloni) predicts a surge in books focusing on characters in early adulthood while maintaining YA’s accessible writing style. “As an adult who occasionally reads YA books, it can be slightly jarring to be thrown into the mind of a 16-year-old protagonist,” she noted, suggesting new adult fiction offers relatable narratives for an aging audience.
Meeting Reader Demands
Suraka pointed out that new adult fiction fills a crucial storytelling gap. “Young readers grow out of YA when the characters are no longer relatable,” she said, emphasizing the desire for stories that reflect the complexities of their twenties—such as heartbreak and career uncertainties. Busayo (@compulsivebookbuyers) concurred, asserting the need for representation of life’s transitional phases, appealing to readers in the in-between stages of life.
Brittany articulated the inherent demand for stories that resonate with life’s evolving stages, stating, “People always want to know that someone else understands how they feel and that they’ve been through similar events.”
Conclusion
The New Adult Book Prize is now open for submissions, urging authors to contribute to this burgeoning genre. For updates, follow @NewAdultPrize on X and Instagram.