This is Kelly Parra reporting on the recent Cyber Buzz…
Straight from the Galleycat: Teens Buying Books More Than Ever
Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s Celia Goodnow checks in on one of the happier publishing trends, where teens are buying books in numbers not seen in decades. “Kids are buying books in quantities we’ve never seen before,” said Booklist magazine critic Michael Cart, a leading authority on young adult literature. “And publishers are courting young adults in ways we haven’t seen since the 1940s.” Credit a bulging teen population, a surge of global talent and perhaps a bit of Harry Potter afterglow as the preteen Muggles of yesteryear carry an ingrained reading habit into later adolescence.Fantasy and graphic novels are especially hot, Goodnow discovers, and adventure, romance, humor and gritty coming-of-age tales remain perennial favorites. In addition, racy series such as GOSSIP GIRL — often likened to a teen “Sex and the City” — have created a buzz. More notably, though, there’s a new strain of sophistication and literary heft as publishers cater to the older end of the spectrum with books that straddle teen and adult markets. Teens’ increased disposable income is a big factor, too, leading to more sales, more choice and better quality. In other words, for those who might overlook YA fiction because it’s ostensibly written for kids, you’d be doing a serious disservice – there’s lots of good stuff out there, just waiting to be found.
It’s all there, YA fic fans…
Fantasy, graphic novels, adventure, romance, humor, gritty coming-of-age, racy, literary, books that are for teens and adults.
It’s not news the YA Fiction industry is growing. Teens are reading more and more. Authors are reaching out to young readers with the Internet. The days of authors being aloof or some mysterious person behind the words like I remember growing up, are history. And best of all readers are sharing what they love best. This is a great thing, and not because I write YA fic. I love reading YA. I love that teens are digging in. And I’m just thrilled word is spreading. 
Also a quick tidbit from Shelf Awareness:
Effective last month, Orange Avenue and its new teen imprint, Zest Books, are being distributed by Independent Publishers Group. The company was previously distributed by Publishers Group West.In a statement, Hallie Warshaw, publisher of Orange Avenue, which has headquarters in San Francisco, Calif., said, “We think there is a strong market out there for fun, gifty, humorous, nonfiction teen books that are highly visual and address topics that are important to this age group. Our books–which are smart, well written and hip–offer something new and different.”
Spring titles include Decoding Mom and Where’s My Stuff? The Ultimate Teen Organizing Guide. Fall titles include 97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School and Uncool–A Girl’s Guide to Misfitting In.
Yes, YA non-fic is on the rise too. Very cool.
Switching from YA fic to Paranormal editor news…
Anna Genoese is leaving Tor. Read her announcement on her blog. I’m bummed that she’s leaving publishing. I met her once and she left quite a good impression on me, but she’s looking for a new career and I wish her well!
