Middle Grade or YA?

by Hannah Dunn
16th January 2017

Hi everyone!

I am looking for some advice from those with more experience than me. I have booked myself a place on the W&A Writing for Children course and I have to decide whether to attend a MG or YA workshop as part of the day. But I can't make up my mind where my novel falls, as it seems to be better characterised as 11+ fiction.

It is a high fantasy/thriller/mystery story about with elements of rebelling against the status quo, growing up and a little bit of magic and mystery. I have the first 3 chapters in shared works if anyone would like to take a look and help me figure out where would be best to go!

It is not a typical YA novel with difficult themes so I think MG readers might be more receptive to the plot.

But the way that it is written - language etc - seems to favour older readers.

Help!

Replies

That's exactly how I feel Emilie. I cna understand that a 9yo and a 12yo will probably like the same kind of stories, but a 13yo and a 17yo and so different in their experiences and what they are interested in.

Having said that, YA didn't exist when I was younger and I read adult novels from age 11...

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Hannah
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Hannah Dunn
17/01/2017

Would it be possible to ask advice of the workshop organisers?

More to the point: are they likely to answer (on time)?

I can't answer. I believe in treating children with full respect. But this classification of 13yos as "young adults" has always seemed bizarre to me. For me, a young adult is someone beginning to assume adult responsibilities: living away from parents, getting a job...

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Emilie
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