Advice
Young adult and new adult
by Stewart Ferris
| Category | Reader age | Typical range | Sweet spot |
|---|---|---|---|
| YA contemporary | 12–18 | 55,000–80,000 | 60,000–75,000 |
| YA mystery, thriller, horror | 12–18 | 60,000–85,000 | 65,000–80,000 |
| YA fantasy and science fiction | 12–18 | 70,000–100,000 | 75,000–90,000 |
| New adult | 18–25 | 60,000–85,000 | 70,000–80,000 |
Young adult protagonists are usually 15–18. Contemporary YA over 90,000 needs a reason an agent can see immediately: a dual timeline, a large cast, documented research. Speculative YA may run longer because the world costs words; a debut over 100,000 is still a risk. New adult, most often romance with protagonists in college or a first job, is frequently filed as adult romance and expected to match that length.