I teach middle schoolers and high schoolers. Most of my students right now tell me that they are tired of the sex in YA novels. They wish they could find some good clean books where they don't have to navigate all the steam and spice. I know that agents and publishers think that they need to include this stuff because that's what sells. I think it may be more the case that students love fantasy and sci-fi and even romcom, so they are buying the books despite the spice. They're just "dealing with it" but wish it weren't there.
Agreed. I have a fifteen-year-old who CRAVES a good fantasy novel. She and all of her friends are sick of the sex in all these modern novels. Everything is either for young children or packed, not even with sex, but with threesomes, abusive partners, porn, etc. Really, truly disgusting.
we can keep attacking authors all we want because yes they are writing the books, but publishers and editors are the ones supposed to keep them in check. So it goes into being more of a publishing error rather than just the author’s fault. Especially since, from my understanding, the characters were 18. It should never have been categorized as YA to begin with. And that is not the author’s decision.
there’s two different things causing a feedback loop that made this specific situation and book happen. one is a massive increase of adult readers into YA literature who think young adult means 18-25 not 12-18. second is that bc they have the money to buy books (and lots of them) editors and publishers “age up” the YA books to appeal to this older demo.
so we end up here.
i don’t think it’s as nefarious as publishers grooming kids but they are in the business of selling books.
I think you articulated this post and your argument very well and I whole heartedly agree. The publishing industry could definitely benefit from creating more age groups, especially for kids and teens as there is a big jump between 12 and 14 in terms of content they can consume and even 14 and 16. So much is changing in these teen years. You could honestly split the YA category in two. But until that happens and becomes the standard, authors and publishers have to be mindful of the current standard. If you wouldn't be comfortable handing your book to a 12 year old, you simply can't label it YA. And if you do want to label it YA, you need to remove the content not suitable for a 12 year old. You can't have your cake and eat it to
Thank you! I agree. Having such a wide group of 12-18 is so broad. What 16-18 year olds read is going to be very different from 12-14 and even 15. It's definitely hard, especially when I think a lot of YA readers are mid to older teen and adults. As a twenty-something, I have no issue going into YA knowing it's geared for a younger audience than myself. I already know that going into it. So I think people who are wanting to read or write Adult content need to focus on doing so instead of changing a whole category to be inappropriate for the intended audience. We definitely need better guidelines, but until that shift happens, we have to protect what YA was intended to be.
“a threesome” *does a spit take* “could not consent” *does another spit take*
Oh god thanks he’s into the “power of love” so it’s all good. Maaaaan, there are some adults that shouldn’t read that. People struggle with consent already they do not need ideas
I’m okay with noncon, when it’s clear it’s smut and for internal fantasy 😭. Omg what a terrible lesson for anyone let alone teenagers
Sex education? “Scary. Bad. Will turn the teens into dust”
The equivalent of raunchy noncon with a ham fisted moral of love? “Cool. Awesome. I need teens to read this now”
Frankly if it was a tasteful threesome with no dubious consent? Whatever ig, as long as it’s treated as carefully as any other sex scene
I have noticed reading ya myself tho that they do kinda treat it like they are writing for adults. Sex scenes great, but you are likely these kids first introduction to sex. Could you maybe treat it more seriously? Tv shows have had this issue as well so I feel bad singling out the YA guys
But even then I feel like tv still has been more serious. Sex in YA shouldn’t be there just to develop a relationship, because teens are literally looking at their bodies and scared as hell
It’s a period of time in their life where they are VERY targeted for sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and child marriage too (which is legal in the US). Sometimes I low key think writers don’t actually care what kids are going through (or they are extremely ignorant and out of touch) but I’m a hater I need to pipe it
My ass don’t like YA
It’s like if a character had a stunt of drug addiction and it got dealt with off screen like … ?! Sorry if it seems tacky but drop a not so subtle mention of a condom at least. It’s a book for kids who cares. You want the sex scene? Write the sex scene for this little guy *pulls up a picture of a sexually confused teenager* everytime you write you gotta look this little guy in the eyes and say “this is for you buddy” if you feel bad you should probably rethink what you are writing
Btw you should say it’s the writers fault. She isn’t a baby, she’s done YA professionally for awhileeeee. For example, children’s books don’t really have this issue the same way.
Children’s books, even about sex ARE FOR CHILDREN. You don’t forget not to do age appropriate sex education “oops I put in a section about bondage. Oops my bad, I forgot” you should get called a shit for doing that. It’s also embarrassing and I would even say you deserve to be called a stinker. Stinky bastard writer who needs time out in the time out corner
Edit: I forgot to mention this but a book on porn for teens Is … a surprisingly good idea. Porn tends to be interacted with in your teens, like for awhile now not just due to the internet
It’s like a common thing people joke about but do t take seriously for some reason. Teens probably should have information about porn in thier sex education
I teach middle schoolers and high schoolers. Most of my students right now tell me that they are tired of the sex in YA novels. They wish they could find some good clean books where they don't have to navigate all the steam and spice. I know that agents and publishers think that they need to include this stuff because that's what sells. I think it may be more the case that students love fantasy and sci-fi and even romcom, so they are buying the books despite the spice. They're just "dealing with it" but wish it weren't there.
Agreed. I have a fifteen-year-old who CRAVES a good fantasy novel. She and all of her friends are sick of the sex in all these modern novels. Everything is either for young children or packed, not even with sex, but with threesomes, abusive partners, porn, etc. Really, truly disgusting.
I’m definitely adding some clean choices to my classroom library next year.
People have definitely gone over-the-top on the spiciness for ya books. glad to see someone bringing this up without attacking the author.
we can keep attacking authors all we want because yes they are writing the books, but publishers and editors are the ones supposed to keep them in check. So it goes into being more of a publishing error rather than just the author’s fault. Especially since, from my understanding, the characters were 18. It should never have been categorized as YA to begin with. And that is not the author’s decision.
there’s two different things causing a feedback loop that made this specific situation and book happen. one is a massive increase of adult readers into YA literature who think young adult means 18-25 not 12-18. second is that bc they have the money to buy books (and lots of them) editors and publishers “age up” the YA books to appeal to this older demo.
so we end up here.
i don’t think it’s as nefarious as publishers grooming kids but they are in the business of selling books.
Thank you for this! These are the words I was feeling and couldn’t put into words. Hahaha this was so good!
thanks for reading!
I think you articulated this post and your argument very well and I whole heartedly agree. The publishing industry could definitely benefit from creating more age groups, especially for kids and teens as there is a big jump between 12 and 14 in terms of content they can consume and even 14 and 16. So much is changing in these teen years. You could honestly split the YA category in two. But until that happens and becomes the standard, authors and publishers have to be mindful of the current standard. If you wouldn't be comfortable handing your book to a 12 year old, you simply can't label it YA. And if you do want to label it YA, you need to remove the content not suitable for a 12 year old. You can't have your cake and eat it to
Thank you! I agree. Having such a wide group of 12-18 is so broad. What 16-18 year olds read is going to be very different from 12-14 and even 15. It's definitely hard, especially when I think a lot of YA readers are mid to older teen and adults. As a twenty-something, I have no issue going into YA knowing it's geared for a younger audience than myself. I already know that going into it. So I think people who are wanting to read or write Adult content need to focus on doing so instead of changing a whole category to be inappropriate for the intended audience. We definitely need better guidelines, but until that shift happens, we have to protect what YA was intended to be.
“a threesome” *does a spit take* “could not consent” *does another spit take*
Oh god thanks he’s into the “power of love” so it’s all good. Maaaaan, there are some adults that shouldn’t read that. People struggle with consent already they do not need ideas
I’m okay with noncon, when it’s clear it’s smut and for internal fantasy 😭. Omg what a terrible lesson for anyone let alone teenagers
Sex education? “Scary. Bad. Will turn the teens into dust”
The equivalent of raunchy noncon with a ham fisted moral of love? “Cool. Awesome. I need teens to read this now”
Frankly if it was a tasteful threesome with no dubious consent? Whatever ig, as long as it’s treated as carefully as any other sex scene
I have noticed reading ya myself tho that they do kinda treat it like they are writing for adults. Sex scenes great, but you are likely these kids first introduction to sex. Could you maybe treat it more seriously? Tv shows have had this issue as well so I feel bad singling out the YA guys
But even then I feel like tv still has been more serious. Sex in YA shouldn’t be there just to develop a relationship, because teens are literally looking at their bodies and scared as hell
It’s a period of time in their life where they are VERY targeted for sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and child marriage too (which is legal in the US). Sometimes I low key think writers don’t actually care what kids are going through (or they are extremely ignorant and out of touch) but I’m a hater I need to pipe it
My ass don’t like YA
It’s like if a character had a stunt of drug addiction and it got dealt with off screen like … ?! Sorry if it seems tacky but drop a not so subtle mention of a condom at least. It’s a book for kids who cares. You want the sex scene? Write the sex scene for this little guy *pulls up a picture of a sexually confused teenager* everytime you write you gotta look this little guy in the eyes and say “this is for you buddy” if you feel bad you should probably rethink what you are writing
Btw you should say it’s the writers fault. She isn’t a baby, she’s done YA professionally for awhileeeee. For example, children’s books don’t really have this issue the same way.
Children’s books, even about sex ARE FOR CHILDREN. You don’t forget not to do age appropriate sex education “oops I put in a section about bondage. Oops my bad, I forgot” you should get called a shit for doing that. It’s also embarrassing and I would even say you deserve to be called a stinker. Stinky bastard writer who needs time out in the time out corner
Edit: I forgot to mention this but a book on porn for teens Is … a surprisingly good idea. Porn tends to be interacted with in your teens, like for awhile now not just due to the internet
It’s like a common thing people joke about but do t take seriously for some reason. Teens probably should have information about porn in thier sex education