What is a "Crossover" Book?
Plus the 2 types of IG accounts and TONS of writing resources!
*For writing news and resources, scroll down.*
*UPDATED: June 10, 2025*
YA Crossover Vs. New Adult
Many years ago I wrote a semi-crazed article on the different categories of kidlit: Kidlit Genres Explained: Middle Grade, YA, New Adult, & More. If you read it, be warned that my examples need to be updated to more recently-published books.
The other day someone commented on the article, asking if YA Crossover is the same as New Adult. (New Adult is, in theory, what comes after YA — a book with a protagonist in early adulthood, age 19-25.)
I did some research to answer this question, and came across two helpful videos from YA author Alexa Donne:
After watching the videos and reading a few other articles, I was better able to answer the question. If you don’t have time for all that research, here are my takeaways:
1. New Adult has NOT taken off as a category in traditional publishing.
Is there a “New Adult” section at B&N? Nope. So it’s still not considered a “real” category. If you’re hoping to be traditionally published, probably don’t refer to your novel as New Adult.
UPDATE: Except maybe it IS a thing or getting to be a thing? I guess it really depends on the feelings of the agent/editor/publisher. I’ve seen agents and publishers say they’re looking for New Adult. Recently, my agent suggested I try aging up one of my manuscripts from YA to NA. (Essentially I’m aging up the main character from a junior in high school to a junior in college.) My agent says she can then shop the manuscript around to various editors, calling it adult for those who don’t believe in NA and calling it New Adult for those who say they’re into NA.
So… there you have it. NO CLEAR ANSWER.
2. Instead of a New Adult category, YA has expanded to include college-age protagonists
Examples: We Are Not Okay by Nina LaCour, American Panda by Gloria Chao). And adult novels can have protagonists of ANY age (Room by Emma Donoghue, White Oleander by Janet Fitch, Normal People by Sally Rooney, Sam by Allegra Goodman).
UPDATE: Recently I’m noticing adult books with younger characters that read to me like they could be YA: Babel by R.F. Kuang and Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrow come to mind. So… again, the distinctions among adult, NA, YA, and YA Crossover get a little blurry. I think a lot of it has to do with marketing strategy and the type of positioning the publisher thinks will sell more books.
If you’re querying, I’d say tailor what you call your book to what the agent is looking for. If they’re looking for NA or YA Crossover, you could call it that. If they don’t mention NA in their wishlist, just call it adult.
3. YA protagonists are usually between the ages of 16 and 19.
But more important than the age of the main character is the vibe of the novel. YA novels are written (in theory) for teen readers. What distinguishes YA from adult is the tone, content, theme, and point of view. An adult novel has a more adult voice, more adult content/themes, and a more adult perspective than a YA novel.
Update: At least, that’s what I’ve always read and thought, but again, I’m starting to see books marketed as adult that have, IMO, the voice and tone of a YA novel.
What distinguishes YA from adult is the tone, content, theme, and point of view. An adult novel has a more adult voice, more adult content/themes, and a more adult perspective than a YA novel.
4. YA Crossover is a YA book the publisher thinks will appeal to readers of adult novels, too.
Thus, they will market the book to both YA and adult readers (Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, for example.) Similarly, there are adult crossover books that can appeal to YA readers, see the Alex Award.) In any case, you don’t really get to decide if your book has crossover potential— your agent/editor/publisher does.
5. Some people worry that as YA gets pushed older (in protagonist-age and content), it leaves little room for stories for and about younger teens.
I agree. Oh, and btw, you’ve written a YA novel with a 14-year-old protagonist? Good luck with that! But seriously, I do hope that publishing notices this gap and starts publishing more books for kids who have grown out of MG but aren’t quite ready for spice and more mature themes.
Update: Since I’m now writing adult books I haven’t been paying as much attention to the YA space. Is this still the case? Or are we seeing more lower-YA books these days?
IN SUMMARY:
New Adult is not a thing (in traditional publishing), and don’t waste energy deciding if your book is a crossover —it’s not up to you. Just write a YA novel. Or write an adult novel. Those are your options if you have teen characters. (OR write an amazing YA novel with a younger teen protagonist because we really need more of those. You’ll have an uphill battle, but everything is an uphill battle in publishing anyway.)
Update: I don’t know if New Adult isn’t a thing in traditional publishing — probably not, but it’s unclear. I will say I have seen indie publishers asking for NA. So maybe it’s more of a thing in indie publishing spaces.
The Two Types of Instagram Accounts
Recently I heard (thank you, @writerfullyalive) that there are two categories of Instagram accounts, at least if we’re talking about people who are doing IG to build a following (like a writer, hoping to find potential readers).
Type 1 are people who share their knowledge and advice. Their accounts are 60-70% educational content.
Writer Abbie Emmons at @makeyourstorymatter has mostly informational posts about writing and writing events.
Type 2 is the entertainment and lifestyle Instagrammer whose content is meant to entertain and/or showcase their interesting/unique/gorgeous lifestyle.
Writer B.A. Veiman at @writerfullyalive makes delightfully clever videos about the life of a writer. I especially enjoy:
her reel about a popular YA romance trope
her reels “when your characters won’t do what you want,” part 1 and part 2
What type amI? Uhhh… Neither at the moment because I’ve been so random as I try to figure out Instagram.
Clearly, I should strive to be Type 1. From now on, I intend to make the majority of my IG about writing and publishing. Like this post I just put up about YA Crossover and New Adult! (Look familiar??)
One of my problems with Instagram is I haven’t had a clear goal in mind. I enjoy writing my Substack newsletters way more than doing Instagram. Oh, hey! My goal should be to encourage people on IG to subscribe to my newsletter! From now on, every time I make an Instagram post, I’ll ask myself: is this going to encourage people to check out my newsletter? If the answer is no, then what the heck am I doing?
If you’re doing Instagram or another type of social media, what “type” do you think you might be? Do you have a specific goal in mind when you post?
Writing News & Resources:
For All Writers:
The NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge (a great way to spark your creativity in the new year!) kicks off TOMORROW (January 19).
Anne Lamott, bestselling author of the beloved Bird by Bird is going on tour!
Black Fox Literary Magazine’s free submission window is open. Or make a donation to receive feedback and/or an expedited response. They also have a fairy tale remix contest with a deadline of Mar 31. Wanna know someone who was published long ago in Black Fox Lit? Yours truly!
P.S. If you want to get a taste of things on the other side, Black Fox Literary is looking for Fiction Readers to read submissions. Apply by Feb. 29.
The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.
FREE upcoming webinars from The Good Story Company:
Ready Chapter 1 is a community-powered platform connecting book publishers with undiscovered writers. Find peer critiques and more.
Writer’s Digest offers tons of online classes and workshops.
Blue Pencil Agency offers workshops, online events, and writing competitions.Check them out.
The Book Pipeline Adaptation Contest seeks published books, graphic novels, short stories, and plays for film and TV adaptation. Winner and runner-up receive extensive development with execs and circulation to producers. Deadline: February 15th.
Check out all the many upcoming online craft workshops from Savvy Authors!
Writing Workshops also offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.
StoryStudio Chicago presents: Pub Crawl: Learn, Pitch, Publish at their virtual Month-Long Publishing Intensive, Feb. 1-29, 2024. (They also have tons of other classes, events and workshops, so check out the StoryStudio website.)
Need a template for a nonfiction book proposal? Here’s one from Neon Literary!
The Women’s Fiction Writers Association has a TON of free writing workshops, critique groups, and webinars, plus upcoming mentorship opportunities.
Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.
The Writer’s Atelier has a free online writing community with virtual events.
The Yale Review is accepts pitches on a rolling basis. Seeking diverse, sharp, intelligent voices on a wide range of subjects, from literature, art, history, and politics to film, television, music, & more.
The folks at Cheshire Novel Prize host a FREE group on their private app called Writers Space where you can talk about writing, ask for BETA readers, and connect with other writers.
Ready to submit a story? Check out this list of 40 Free Writing Contests! And of course, check out NewPages for submission calls from literary magazines and journals.
Check out my list of writing and publishing resources — my very favorite books, websites, and podcasts on writing, publishing, and the creative life.
For KidLit Writers:
The WriteMentor 2024 Novel & Picture Book Award is looking for new writing talent in Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult.
Submissions open now until January 31.
Come out for the in-person Young Adult Novelist Convention (YANovCon) on Saturday, February 3 at the South San Francisco Library | Parks & Recreation Center.
SCBWI Members (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), the in-person and virtual annual conference will be held February 9-11 in NYC (and online).
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews.
From Bitsy Kemper’s blog: over 100 publishers accepting unsolicited picture book manuscripts. (Updated June 2023)
Check out this incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
For Querying Writers:
Here’s a list of small publishers, most of which do not require agents.
Here’s a query letter template from agent Samantha Wekstein and lots of querying advice from agent Eric Smith.
Find a long list of example query letters on Quite the Query.
Every Friday, Operation Awesome offers one free query critique through their #QueryFriday contest.
I occasionally choose a subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query letter and the first two pages of your manuscript, and, if you’re the winner of the month, I will send you back in-depth feedback on both. Interested in receiving a critique? Fill out the form here.
Writing Conferences & Events:
Live in the mid-Atlantic region and looking for a writing retreat get-away?
2024 Writing Retreats at ZigBone Farm (Just one hour from DC/Baltimore area in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains). MD residents can apply for a grant to help cover costs!
April 7-12: Spring Creative Writing with award-winning writer Diana Friedman. For all writers who want help getting started, shaping and refining existing work, as well as time to write and bond with other writers.
July 28 - Aug 2: Summer Novel Writing with award-winning author Tammy Greenwood. For writers at all stages of the journey.
The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm. Open year-round, the only requirement for this peaceful retreat north of Baltimore is that you intend to use the time and space to work on your writing. The hen house cottage and barn loft normally book about two months in advance.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences will held both online and in person this year. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. Check out the upcoming conferences:
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
AWP 2024 will be held in Kansas City February 7-10 2024, and early bird registration and community scholarship applications are now open!
FREE Virtual Conference from The Writer’s Workout will be March 15-17. Sign up now to stay in the loop!
Apply for the NYC Publishing Workshop, held April 4-7, 2024, and check out the other writing workshops, retreats, and events from Writing Workshops.
Save the date for the Washington Writers Conference, being held in Bethesda, MD May 3-4, 2024.
Save the date for the awesome Gaithersburg Book Festival (in the DC area): May 18, 2024.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
Reading this as someone with a novel with a 14yr old protagonist... I like to think it's an adult novel, or I guess YA with crossover appeal, kinds like His Dark Materials. I wrote it three times, once when I was 10, then 14, then a full novel at 18/19.
The protagonist in Catcher in the Rye is 16... So YA?