It’s called crossing genre lines when mainstay adult authors start writing youth adult stories. Some like it, but some feel that these authors are doing nothing more then jumping on the bandwagon, hoping to cash in on this lucrative genre.
I love YA myself. I love that some of my favorite adult authors writing YA. It’s twice the goodness.
I grew up reading John Grisham’s dark legal suspense novels that address realistic world problems. Imagine my surprise when my daughter brought home Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer. Released in May 2010, Grisham brings his legal fortitude to the youth adult playground with a thirteen-year-old protagonist who dreams of grand courtroom adventures. It’s not just Grisham expanding his reading audience, however; below you will find a list of well known adult authors who are penning young adult fiction in hopes of enchanting a different but just as important demographic: Young readers.
Mary Jo Putney, is the queen of redeemable rakes and the indomitable woman who love them. Her versatile writing, whether it’s her straight romances or paranormal fantasies, has made her a favorite of mine for years. I was delighted when I received a copy of her (as M. J. Putney) Dark Mirror for review last year. A historical paranormal romance, Dark Mirror chronicles the adventures of Lady Victoria (Tori) Mansfield and a mysterious group called the Irregulars who travel through time using their magical abilities to change important historical events in order to save the present and future. Dark Passage soon followed. The third installment in the series, Dark Destiny, was released July 3rd, 2012.
Roxanne St. Claire, a romantic suspense author who has thrilled us repeatedly with her alpha men and equally strong woman, has just released her first YA title. Don’t You Wish gives us a wonderful heartfelt story about a young girl, Anna, whose feelings of invisibility in the world changes when she finds herself in an alternate universe. Here she is popular, rich, and beautiful. Her every wish has come true. But as with all wishes, there is always a catch.
Darynda Jones, author of the hilariously snarky and sexy adult paranormal Charlie Davidson series, has penned her first youth adult book, Death and the Girl Next Door. Set to release September 2012, Darynda Jones takes on death at a youth level with a orphaned heroine with a mysterious past who has not one but two gorgeous boys vying for her attentions. When Death comes knocking on her door, things start getting very interesting.
Kresley Cole, best selling author of the Immortals After Dark series, has her first youth author book coming out in October 2, 2012. The Poison Princess, the first in her The Arcana Chronicles, tells the story of sixteen-year-old Evie Greene who suffers from hallucinations. When her visions come true, she teams up with other teens and realizes that her visions aren’t rare and there is more to come as an ancient prophecy is coming to pass and the fight between good and evil is just starting.
Jennifer Estep’s adult Elemental Assassin series blends the perfect amount of paranormal suspense and steamy romance to make her series a top urban fantasy pick. She lends her compelling voice to youth adult fiction with her dark mythological Mythos Academy series. Greek legends get a new injection of life as Estep’s snarky high school heroine finds herself spirited away to a special school for those who are descendants of Greek gods and goddesses. Here, she learns about her past and future as she uses her gifts against an evil set on destroying the world. Her fourth installment in the series, Crimson Frost, releases Jan 2013.
What favorite adult author of yours would you like to see jump into the youth author writing pool?
Tori Benson, Smexybooks and at Twitter.
