So You Want to Write a Teen Crossover Novel

A crossover novel is a children’s or young adult novel that also appeals to adults.  While crossover novels are nothing new (e.g. “Alice in Wonderland”, “The Hobbit” and “The Little Prince”), it seems like almost every new young adult book aspires to be a crossover book. 

Some tips if you hope to write a crossover novel that appeals to teens and adults:

1.  Writing a crossover novel is not a get-rich-quick scheme.

If you think writing a crossover novel is your ticket to becoming the next Stephenie Meyer, Amanda Hocking or Suzanne Collins, think again.  Writing a novel to cash in on a trend rarely works; either the trend will be over by the time your novel is written, or the market will be so saturated that your novel would need to be exceptional to stand above the crowd. 

2.  Remember who your primary audience is.

If you are writing to please both adults and teens, you are likely to end up pleasing neither.  Write your book with a teen audience in mind, and consider appeal the book may have to adults as being an added bonus.

3.    Tap into your inner teen.

Your characters should not be adults trapped in teen bodies.  Think back to your teen years.  What were your fears, hopes and dreams?  What were your most embarrassing, and your most triumphant moments?  Tap into your inner teen to help add authenticity to your characters.
  

4.  Touch on mature themes.  


Crossover novels typically have more mature themes such as sacrifice, love and death.  Controversial themes may attract adult readers, but make sure they are handled sensitively enough that they don’t alienate your teen audience.   

      5.   Sex doesn’t necessarily sell. 

Many books with crossover appeal, such as “The Hunger Games”, contain no sex scenes at all.  Bella and Edward’s chaste relationship likely even contributed to the success of the “Twilight” series.            

Before you write a sex scene, make sure it serves a purpose or you will lose credibility in the eyes of teen and adult readers alike.  If you are certain a sex scene is vital to your novel, keep the descriptions to a minimum so something is left to the readers’ imaginations. 

If you are writing a crossover novel, or have read any crossover novels that you would recommend, please post a comment below.