What is Young Adult, New Adult, Middle Grade, & Adult Fiction?

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No one seems to understand how age category in fiction works, and that's a problem, so let's fix that.

by Jenna Moreci


Middle Grade (MG)

Readers: 8-12 years old

Characters: 9-13 years old

Themes: friendship, family, schoolyard shenanigans, etc.

Does not include: cursing, graphic violence, sex


Young Adult (YA)

Readers: 12-18 years old

Characters: 13-17 years old or high school age

Themes: friendship, family, identity, coming-of-age, etc.

Can include: bullying, drugs, alcohol, violence, profanity, and sex (but watered down)


New Adult (NA)

Readers: college-age

Characters: 18-30 years old

Themes: embarking on adulthood for the very first time

Can include: graphic sex and violence, flagrant drug and alcohol abuse (but not required)


Adult

Readers: adult age

Characters: 20+ years old

Can include: everything

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