10 Necessary Elements of an Author Website

Thursday, 2 January 2014

Here's one of my agenting secrets: If a query catches my interest and a website link is included in the signature, I will click on the link. There are certain things I expect to see on an author website and other things that add to the experience. Whether you're building a website from scratch or are planning to update a current one, here is a quick checklist of ten necessary elements for an author website.

Professional Photo

The photo on your website should be a step above an Instagram selfie. A first impression is still a first impression - even if it's online. If you don't want to pay a photographer to take professional head shots, it's easy to emulate the process at home. (Check out this blog post for some tips.)

Two Bios

A bio is a crucial part of an author website. Two bios is even better than one. Write a short bio with only the most important information. Then, write an even longer bio for those of us who are too curious for our own good and need to know everything.

Book Information

As an agent, this is the section of your website that I'm most interested in. Make sure you include brief descriptions of your completed manuscripts (and maybe even your work-in-progress). This is an easy way for agents to know what you're working on (especially if you write different genres and/or categories). Having book information on your website is also a great idea to entice potential readers early on. If you're already published, then you'll want to include links to where your book(s) can be purchased.

Contact Information

This is so important and often overlooked. Always include an email address that you check on a regular basis. A contact page is also a great place to include the name and contact information of your literary agent (if you already have one).

Publicity Page

This is where you can link to interviews, guest blog posts, or any other type of publicity you've taken part in. It's an excellent catch-all page to promote your smaller work.

Events Calendar

If you're a social butterfly, let people know what events you'll be attending. Listing conferences and other writing events shows that you are dedicated, willing to learn, and eager to network with others in the industry.

Social Media Links

I think it's safe to assume that one of the reasons you have an author website in the first place is because you want to promote your work. Having easy links to your social media accounts encourages potential readers to follow you whichever way is easiest for them.

Simple Design

Don't let yourself get too wrapped up in the design of your website. Clean and simple is best. Let the content shine through.

Recent Blog Posts

If you're going to have a blog attached to your website, make sure it is updated on a regular basis. There's nothing worse than clicking on a blog link only to see that it hasn't been updated in fourteen months. It's best not to blog at all than to only write a post once a year.

Something For Your Readers

Remember that it won't only be industry folks visiting your website. You get digital bonus points for having something special for your readers. It's up to you to be creative and decide what you have to offer.

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Self-Publish or Perish?

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

I asked my Twitter followers what publishing, writing, or querying topics they'd like to see in a blog post and Emily's question about the relation between self-publishing and literary agents stood out.

@MsMariaVicente Blog post idea: An agent's take on Self-Publish or Perish: Is it a good or bad idea for writers just starting out?
— Emily Wibberley (@Wibbs_Ink) November 13, 2013

Self-publishing is undeniably popular, but it also has a bad reputation. The thing is, self-publishing has been around just as long - arguably longer - than traditional publishing. There are many distinctions between the two and it falls on each individual writer to decide which path is best for his/her career. For the sake of simplicity, I'm only discussing self-publishing and traditional publishing as binary choices. For an in-depth look at the many paths to book publication, see this chart.

Since Emily's question focuses on writers just starting out, it's important to emphasize the questions that a writer needs to ask before choosing a publishing path: Do you want to be published by a traditional publishing house? Or are you anxious to turn your manuscript into a book right away? How much work (outside of the actual writing) are you willing to put in to make your book a success? Are you able to spend the necessary money to create your very own publishing team? Do you know enough about marketing and publicity to make your book stand out?

Traditional publishing takes a lot of time (finding an agent, securing an editor and a publishing deal, waiting for the book to come out...) whereas self-publishing is often immediate and allows the writer to have control over exactly when things happen. Marketing and publicity is absolutely necessary for both traditional publication and self-publication. However, self-published authors need to do a lot more work on their own - and marketing and publicity takes a lot of time (and money). Are you willing to spend money on graphic designers, publicists, and editors, things that are usually provided by a traditional publishing house? Your book needs to be extra special in all areas (even if you have a great story, the other elements still need to fall into place) to stand out in the world of self-published books. With traditional publishing, you will have a team of people helping you achieve this goal - and it will not cost you a thing (unless you decide to hire extra help, like an external publicist - but that's a different topic for a different day).

The decision to self-publish a book will have an impact on a writer's career. If your plan is to self-publish a book and then later query this same book to literary agents, please be cautious. While most agents aren't against self-publishing, many aren't willing to pitch a previously self-published book to editors unless it has sold thousands and thousands of copies. However, if you feel really compelled to self-publish a book and then later decide to query an agent with a different project, this is a much more manageable situation for both you and your agent.

Self-publishing isn't for everyone, just as traditional publishing isn't for everyone. Some books do great in the self-publishing realm, whereas others are meant for traditional publishing. It's not that one is better than the other. Which path is best for your book and which path will get you to where you want to be in your writing career? Make sure to weigh all of your options and consider the impact it will have on your career in the future.

I'd love to read your opinion on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing in the comments.

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Secret Agent

Wednesday, 16 October 2013

Okay, so it's not really a secret anymore. I am excited to announce that I have joined the P.S. Literary Agency as an Associate Agent! The official announcement was sent out into the publishing world this morning and I am thrilled to start building my client list.

It has been a great journey from publishing student to publishing intern to, now, associate literary agent. I owe oh-so-much (more than words will ever allow me to explain) to Bree Ogden for giving me the confidence to pursue this crazy career and to the team at P.S. Literary for offering me the position.

If you're a querying writer (or will be in the future), you can read more about P.S. Literary on the website. Information about what I represent can be found here (and I will be updating that page in the next day or two with a more detailed wish list).

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Getting Published in the 21st Century

Tuesday, 15 October 2013

I know there are quite a few readers of I Believe in Story who have dreams of one day being a published author. There is no set pathway to being published and it's difficult to read through all the advice columns and decide what will be the most effective for yourself as an author. It can also be time consuming to click through numerous websites and blogs to find what you're looking for. I want to share a great resource that will help writers at any stage of his/her career.

Carly Watters, a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, has put together an ebook of her best blog content (and some new articles as well) that covers everything you want to know about publishing a book in the 21st century. I've read the book myself and it's filled with useful information like writing tips, self-editing checklists, best querying practices, and catching the attention of literary agents. Carly's book is applicable whether you write nonfiction or fiction in any category.

The official description:

From Literary Agent Carly Watters comes Getting Published in the 21st Century, an ebook of Writer’s Digest award-winning blog content and new material primed to help writers get published.

It has never been more difficult to get traditionally published than it is right now. But with the right tools, and industry insider tips, Carly will show you how it’s possible for you.

Getting Published in the 21st Century will share with you: 

•  How to begin your book and why you’ve probably been starting in the wrong spot
•  10 self-editing tips that will transform your manuscript
•  Carly’s 9 ways to write smarter, not harder
•  5 tips to make your query letter stand out (from someone who reads over 800 a month!)
•  The top 7 reasons why agents stop reading your manuscript
•  What agents are looking for in a client
•  12 ways to create an author community

Whatever question you have about crafting your novel and how to get it published, Getting Published in the 21st Century has the answers.

The ebook is only $2.99 and if you purchase it from Smashwords before November 5th you can get 50% off with the coupon code YT68T. You can purchase the book here (or click the book cover above). At the link, you can also view a sample including the full table of contents.

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BookCamp Toronto: Internships

Thursday, 29 August 2013

I attended BookCamp Toronto this past weekend where Canadian book publishing professionals got together to discuss books and the publishing industry. This week on the blog, I'll be sharing key points from a few of the sessions I was able to attend on Saturday: digital publicity, tech platforms for authors, and internships.

As some of you may know, I've been an intern in the publishing industry for over ten months now. Both of my internships are on the agenting side of the industry, so my roles are completely different from what most publishing interns experience. Since I am an intern, I have a strong interest in what I like to call "the great internship debate." Are internships legal? Are interns exploited? Do we actually learn anything from interning? (If you're interested in my personal opinion, read this post.)

The internship session at BookCamp focused on how to make the most of an internship. I think the following advice is really important for current and future interns to keep in mind.

Before Your Internship

Know where you're applying. It's tempting to apply to every available position, but remember that you will be working for free (or for very little pay). Make sure you want to gain experience from the company and search online to see if any previous interns have said anything negative about his/her experience.

Choose an internship that is applicable to your interests. If you want to be an editor, then an internship position in publicity may not be your best option. You want to use your time as an intern to cultivate skills. Despite popular belief, most internship positions do not lead to a full-time job. Make sure you will be learning transferable skills during your time as an intern.

What do you want out of the internship? Really think about your answer to this question and then have the conversation. You are working for free and you should not be afraid to make your expectations clear. You increase your chance of success if both you and your supervisor understand what you want to learn from your internship.

During Your Internship

Network. Talk to as many people at the company as possible. Go outside of your department and introduce yourself. Ask questions. Make sure people know who you are and know what you are capable of doing.

Schedule meetings with everyone, not only your supervisor. If you're interested in what someone does for the company, ask them if they're available to have a brief chat. You want to learn as much as possible while you have the chance.

If possible, ask to complete one large project on top of your smaller, day-to-day, intern duties. If you have a major project finished by the end of your internship (most in-person internships in publishing are three or four months), then you know that you've shown the company your dedication and skills.

Always ask for feedback. Many interns go through their entire internship without getting any feedback. If you don't know whether you're doing a good job, then ask. Feedback will make you a stronger editor, publicist, salesperson, etc.

After Your Internship

Keep in touch. When it comes to finally finding a job, it all comes down to who you know. Don't be afraid to send the occasional email or tweet to say hello to someone you connected with during your internship. If you recently completed an internship, the people you worked with know that you're looking for work. They won't be surprised if you ask them to be a reference.

Other things to consider:

Don't go in to an internship expecting a job. Think of it as an extension of your formal education. The goal is to gain experience. Working for free isn't an ideal situation for anyone, so make sure you're getting the most from the experience. Many people now working in publishing started as interns. They understand the struggle. Make good use of your time.

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BookCamp Toronto: Tech Platforms for Authors

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

I attended BookCamp Toronto this past weekend where Canadian book publishing professionals got together to discuss books and the publishing industry. This week on the blog, I'll be sharing key points from a few of the sessions I was able to attend on Saturday: digital publicity, tech platforms for authors, and internships.

Wattpad presented an "ask me anything" session about technology platforms for authors. While a few other platforms were mentioned briefly, the panel focused on Wattpad's model. In case you're unfamiliar with Wattpad, here's a short description from the website: Wattpad is the world's largest community for discovering and sharing stories. It's a new form of entertainment connecting readers and writers through storytelling, and best of all, it's entirely free. With thousands of new stories added every day, an incredibly active community of readers, and the ability to read on your computer, phone, or tablet, Wattpad is the only place that offers a truly social, and entirely mobile reading experience.

Here are some highlights from the session:

• The writing experience on Wattpad takes away the usual isolation that surrounds writers. Users often update on a chapter by chapter basis and readers are encouraged to comment on what they're reading. This leads to an interactive writing process - the writer receives instant feedback and can change the storyline to readers' tastes.

• It's worth noting that a lot of the content on Wattpad is fanfiction based. Some writers start with fanfiction to build his/her audience and then move on to original stories. However, there are some exceptions. One of the most interesting examples mentioned at the BookCamp session was a nonfiction project where a writer posts diary entries from her teenage years and includes new present-day commentary.

• Wattpad has seen the most success with book series. In particular, when an author's first book is made available (for free) on the Wattpad platform, then interested readers are likely to purchase any other books in the series.

• The company has some upcoming partnerships with publishers to make books available to Wattpad users before the on-sale date. For example, a title may be available on the website to generate buzz, but will be removed once preorders for purchase begin. Wattpad is also being used as a platform for novellas and excerpts that coincide with published material.

There are already success stories of authors who started on Wattpad and now have publishing deals with major publishing houses. Writers: Do you have any experience with Wattpad? Would you ever consider using a platform like Wattpad to share and critique writing?

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BookCamp Toronto: Digital Publicity

Monday, 26 August 2013

I attended BookCamp Toronto this past weekend where Canadian book publishing professionals got together to discuss books and the publishing industry. This week on the blog, I'll be sharing key points from a few of the sessions I was able to attend on Saturday: digital publicity, tech platforms for authors, and internships.

The digital publicity session was an "ask me anything" where @reederreads, @amynicks87, and @IndigoTeenBlog answered questions about the topic. Most of the discussion focused on Twitter and how to increase your number of followers without being obnoxious. There were a lot of great points brought up by the three panelists that are applicable to any role in publishing (from writer to agent to corporate account).

Here are some interesting pieces of advice from the session:

• When you're trying to increase your followers, focus on composing one tweet a day that is really effective. Share articles and information that you think your current followers will enjoy. Don't shy away from mentioning someone (@) in a tweet or including a hashtag (#). Social media is meant to be social.

• Continuing off the point above, engagement is absolutely key to your social media success. If someone mentions you in a tweet, remember to reply. Always consider who you want to engage with on your social media platforms and structure content around this goal.

• Clickthroughs are important for any type of digital publicity. You don't want to give away too much information. Entice the audience to click on the link (especially when you're trying to direct traffic to your website or blog).

• Above all, don't have a social media account (on any platform) if your content is not genuine. Users can tell if your online persona is forced. Again, social is the word to remember. People follow an account because of the personality behind it. No one will stick around if your digital publicity sounds like a machine. The goal of publicity is to get people talking about whatever it is you're promoting - so make sure you're taking part in that dialogue.

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Picture Books Aren't the "Easy Way Out"

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

The unedited version of this illustration is from Oliver Jeffers' Lost and Found.

Picture books have undeniable charm. The right one will stick with you for life. We all have a favourite and cherished book from our younger years. The perfect combination of illustrations and effective words can make anyone smile and your heart feel three sizes bigger. I'm still drawn to picture books. A beautiful cover illustration forces me to open the pages until I'm in a trance that others may call "reading an entire picture book in a bookstore." I have no children of my own, I'm an only child so there are no nieces or nephews around, and I'm not a children's book writer. Still, my picture book collection is slowly expanding.

Unfortunately, some writers think of picture books as the "easy way out." I've heard it many times and it's always disheartening: Someone gets frustrated with the idea of writing a novel (it's admittedly not for everyone) and decides instead to write books for children. I'm not against novel writers trying out picture books because some authors are talented enough to write both without any problems. However, writing a picture book only because they contain "a few simple sentences" is not the right approach.

Picture books are complex. The good ones, anyway. You know how difficult it is to compose a thought within Twitter's 140 character limitation? Well, try writing about achieving your dreams, the importance of sharing, the power of friendship, or how to deal with grief in thirty sentences. Writing a picture book isn't all about rhyming a few words together and cutting and pasting a cute illustration or two. Even Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss required a certain imaginative mind and a mastery of the English language.

Picture books require very special writers. A picture book story either works really well or it doesn't work at all. There is just as much thought, hard work and imagination put into a picture book as there is in an adult fiction novel. It's silly to think that a smaller expected word count automatically means a picture book is easier to write. It takes a skilled writer to create a powerful story. 

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Underneath the Juniper Tree

Monday, 5 August 2013

Underneath the Juniper Tree is a literary magazine that publishes horror stories and poems - for children. Not only does every issue showcase talented writers with original styles and fantastic imaginations, but Underneath the Juniper Tree also features original artwork to go with the literary entries.

I recently joined the magazine's staff as an editorial intern and I've loved helping authors get their stories to the final stage before being published and read by children of all ages. It's not easy to find great horror stories for young readers, so Underneath the Juniper Tree fills a niche that the rest of the publishing world hasn't devoured just yet.

Horror has always been a part of my life. I grew up watching Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps, and I read everything by R.L. Stine that I could get my hands on. I watched The Shining for the first time when I was four years old (that was probably not my father's best parenting moment). My favourite English course in University was based on literary theory and ghost stories. American Horror Story is my most anticipated show of this upcoming TV season.

I like to be scared. I like the rush of fear and how horror - more than any other genre - inspires the imagination. Underneath the Juniper Tree makes this genre available to children in weird, delightful, artistic, and creepy ways. Although, to be honest, I'm no longer a child (I'll be 25 this month) and I love the stories and the artwork.

You can read past (and future) issues of Underneath the Juniper Tree online for free. If you're a paper person like myself, there are still a few copies left of Underneath the Juniper Tree's first anthology (a compilation of the best literature and artwork from past issues). The all-black juniper tree cover is reason enough to own a copy. The anthology costs $13 (the shipping is free!) and you can order it by emailing tex.junipertree@gmail.com.

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How to Navigate #MSWL

Monday, 15 July 2013

A few weeks ago, the genius idea of #MSWL took over our Twitter feeds. The concept behind #MSWL is quite simple: a catch-all hashtag where both literary agents and editors can share their manuscript wish lists. The day the hashtag debuted resulted in a frenzy of tweets, all eliciting strong reactions of joy or disheartenment from writers.

While I’m a huge advocate for the use of this hashtag (it’s really helpful when it comes down to looking for niche interests), most people don’t quite know how to use the information properly – or have used the hashtag for other publishing-related reasons.

I think the first (and perhaps only) “rule” when it comes to #MSWL is this: don’t use the hashtag to pitch your own manuscript. Agents and editors aren’t browsing these tweets to discover new talent. It’s your job, as the writer, to use these tweets to your advantage. Scroll through the wish lists and make note of topics that are similar to your own manuscript.

Many writers have been disappointed in the information gathered from #MSWL. Remember: just because an agent or an editor has something specific on their wish list does not mean they’re unwilling to look at other material. We all have pipe dreams, big goals, bucket lists… but we’re also all open to new, unexpected experiences. The same idea applies for #MSWL. If your manuscript isn’t on someone’s wish list, you can still send him/her a query. Agents and editors are always looking for new talent. (A quick piece of advice: while the idea for your manuscript does not need to be on a wish list, do make sure that the agent or editor represents the genre and category before sending a query.)

Don’t write a manuscript simply because it’s on an agent or an editor’s wish list. This won’t do you any good. Unless you can write a full novel, edit it, edit it some more, and then put together an effective query and synopsis all in one afternoon (I don’t care who you are, you can’t do this), then chances are your submission is going to be a little too late. Tastes change. Agents and editors' wish lists are added and subtracted from on a daily basis. Write the manuscript you want to write. If your story happens to be exactly what someone is looking for, then you’re in luck. If it’s not, then wow them with your creativity and unique idea.

If you’re new to this #MSWL craze, you can track the hashtag on Twitter or browse this Tumblr, an archive of all the information found on Twitter.

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New Agents Don't Have Cooties

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Lately, there has been quite a bit of discussion in the writing world about whether it’s a good idea to query new agents. There are some people who will throw themselves in front of a train before even considering the possibility. Other writers flock to new agents, hoping that their queries will stand out more in a not-so-flooded inbox.

New agents don’t have cooties. There’s no reason why you should avoid the whole group of them. However, you also shouldn’t send a query to each and every one. There are many things to consider before querying a new agent, and it’s a process that should take a decent amount of time.

Remember that everyone starts somewhere. Those agents with years of experience? They were once new agents too. The thing is, there should be a starting point. If an agent has recently joined an agency, his/her bio will have details outlining their publishing experience. There should be some indication that they’ve learned a little bit about this crazy publishing world. If they’re a new agent, they won’t necessarily have deals and clients to boast about – but they should have had some education or training to lead them into this side of the industry.

Your next major consideration should be the agency’s background. If a new agent is taking on clients, it is very important that there are knowledgeable people within the agency to help them out. There’s no formal training program for agents and no one is going to know everything right away. That’s why you need to make sure the agency has a good reputation and has other, experienced agents to hold the new agent’s hand for the first little bit. If the agency is brand new – and the other agents have little to no experience – then you’ll probably want to steer clear.

Always find out the agent’s interests. New agent or not, it’s important to understand what type of writing he/she is looking for. If a new agent joins a reputable agency and they’re accepting your genre, then you’re golden. A new agent does have a client list to build, so they’ll really be looking out for the queries that interest them the most. New agents will want to start their lists off right, which means they’re going to represent genres they know and love.

You should also use social networking to your advantage. If this new agent has a Twitter account and they’re approachable, then ask questions! There’s a wealth of information available for writers thanks to the immediacy and slightly creepy lack of privacy of social media. We live online for a reason. You should be able to analyze a new agent’s involvement with the publishing community and use it to your advantage.

Honestly, an agent is an agent is an agent. You should be doing just as much research about new agents as you are about agents who have been in the industry for 20+ years. An agent with a ton of experience is not necessarily the best match for you as a writer. Similarly, a new agent with limited experience (because they should have some) is not automatically wrong.

You’re asking an agent to take a chance on you. Guess what? You are (most likely) a NEW writer. If everyone does their research and good matches are made, I think taking chances on new talent is a very good idea.

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This article originally appeared on The Bookshelf, re-posted here for archiving purposes.

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Why I Love Being an Intern

Monday, 24 June 2013

Internships have been under a lot of scrutiny lately. I can’t begin to count the number of recent articles that argue against the value of internships. Interns are overworked. Interns are underpaid (or not paid at all). Interns are given meaningless tasks.

All of these things may be true. People have lived through real-life nightmares as they try to complete an internship. Some interns do spend their days purchasing coffee and photocopying paper. However, the stigma attached to interning is somewhat unnecessary. Not every position is a waste of time and energy.

While some industries have internship positions that are quite useless (I’ll refrain from mentioning names or fields), others choose to go the internship route for a very specific reason: it’s truly the only way to learn.

I love my internships. I am an intern for two wonderful literary agencies and I work closely with some incredible agents. Completing internship assignments are often the best parts of my day. You may think I’m a nerd, but receiving an email with a new project makes me giddy. Without going through the trials of interning, I wouldn’t know for sure that I want to work in publishing – and I certainly wouldn’t have the skills to do so.

An internship takes time. They are mostly unpaid, so you need to weigh the positives and the negatives of having very little money for an undetermined amount of time (depending on how long you’re willing to be an intern). If you live in a major city with publishing houses and literary agencies, certainly apply to work in an office. I would love to be able to go to an office every day and see my bosses (better thought of as mentors) in action. Unfortunately for me (and, truthfully, for most people in North America), that isn’t an option. You’ll be happy to know that there are remote internships and these positions are actually quite common in the publishing industry. You’re wrong if you think a remote internship isn’t worth your time and effort.

I am still learning, regardless of the fact that I complete my internships from the comfort of my own home (I love having the ability to wear my Super Mario Bros pajamas while responding to emails or reading manuscripts in bed). As I mentioned, I work with some lovely people. I’m given assignments that force me to learn new skills and explore behind-the-scenes of the industry. You can also make wonderful connections. Not only do I work with specific agents, but I also get the chance to stalk editors (only online – if you’re an editor, I will not be creeping outside of your office window) and interact with the writing community (I have no idea how writers do it, but I sure am glad that they do). Not to mention the amazing manuscripts and proposals I get to read before anyone else.

I didn’t have many expectations when I started my internships.  Upon reflection, I am so happy that I gave it a shot. (Even if my bank account is less than enthused.) My brain is crawling with knowledge (does that phrase gross out anyone else?) and I’m excited to discover what else my training has in store.

I highly recommend completing an internship if you want to get a job in any realm of publishing. While it is hard work (and the fun stuff probably won’t happen until you’ve proven yourself), the hard work pays off. You will learn. You will make connections. You will have fun.

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This article originally appeared on The Bookshelf, re-posted here for archiving purposes.

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Why You Need #AskAgent in Your Life

Monday, 10 June 2013

One of the best resources for new writers is the #askagent hashtag on Twitter. I've decided to devote a post to this resource because I know there are some writers who aren't heavily involved in Twitter's writing community. If you're a writer looking for an agent (or even if you're interested in self-publishing), the #askagent hashtag is one you should start monitoring on a daily basis.

The greatest thing about #askagent is that you can read information from many literary agents. Most agents will use the hashtag when they're available to take questions, so you're faced with different ideas and suggestions the moment you look at the page. You can find new agents to follow this way, or simply gather their advice and use it to your advantage. (Don't say no to free help.)

You can also ask questions. The publishing industry is astoundingly helpful and friendly. If you're confused about querying or want to know what genres an agent loves - or hates - using #askagent is the way to do it. No question is a dumb question. Chances are, someone else has the same question too. Or you might find your answer by browsing through the Tweets. You never know.

Try to set aside time each day (or week - whatever works for you) and browse through some of the Tweets. #askagent is the perfect way to gain knowledge about the industry and interact with publishing professionals.

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The New Adult Trend

Thursday, 23 May 2013

One of the biggest conversation topics in publishing right now is the new adult categorization of books. I'm not sure where the trend started - if it was a decision from industry insiders to better market growing readers or if those readers demanded a new category to call their own or, most likely, if it was a combination of the two - but everyone has a bold opinion on the subject.

There has been a lot of backlash towards new adult. The biggest criticism has been from those who define new adult as "young adult with porn." However, steps are being made to show that the category will be really important to the future of publishing. Authors are writing it, Amazon and Publisher's Marketplace now have it listed as a category, and new adult shelves are appearing in bookstores.

The thing is, new adult has always existed. Novels for young adults existed before "YA" was a thing and novels featuring characters moving on from their teenage days have always been available, whether or not people are ready to accept new adult as a category. 

I tweeted about a local (Canadian) bookstore's new new adult shelf and there were a lot of people interested in what the store decided to include in the section. This bookshelf had approximately 30 titles (all facing out) with the label "New Adult" very clear. It was part of the general fiction section - the children's and YA books were on the other side of the store, so it made a bold transition from YA to NA.

I'm not going to post a picture of the shelf (I was almost kicked out of the store for taking it, to be honest), but I'll list some of the books included in the section to give you an idea of what one bookstore is considering new adult material. I was surprised by some of the books (taken from both general fiction and YA).

• WARM BODIES by Isaac Marion
• NOUGHTIES by Ben Masters
• MY SISTER'S KEEPER by Jodi Picoult
• THE AGE OF MIRACLES by Karen Thompson Walker
• THE OFFICE OF MERCY by Ariel Djanikian
• HOW I PAID FOR COLLEGE by Marc Acito
• EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED by Jonathan Safran Foer
• NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro
• LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA by Gabriel García Márquez
• TRAINSPOTTING by Irvine Welsh
• The FIONAVAR TAPESTRY by Guy Gavriel Kay
• EVERY LITTLE THING by Chad Pelley
• Y by Marjorie Celona

Let me know what you think of the choices: Do they belong in a new adult category?

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