A NEW Deal

Hey gang! Sorry for the extended silence, but like many I've been traveling about this summer and doing various other "non-scheduled" this-and-thats. Consequently, getting sit-down time in front of my computer has pretty well gone out the window. I'll also be absent most of next week, but will try to get something up here at some point.

In the meantime, I have a very special announcement and a favor to ask. First, the announcement:

Beginning Thursday, July 26, 9 PM EST, I will be hosting an all new regular Twitter chat focusing on New Adult literature. Here's a quick FAQ to get you up to speed:


What is New Adult literature?

New adult is a blossoming category of literature written about and for the 20-somethings. The stories focus on issues and characters relevant to people emerging from their teens into the world of adult pleasures and problems. (Like college, car payments and the prospects of finding a life partner.) 

NA is viewed as the natural extension, or evolution, of young adult literature and a launching point for readers looking for a more mature brand of story, but perhaps not quite ready for a strict diet of self-help books and classic lit.

In short, if you like your vampires less sparkly, still think of midlife crisis as something for old people and are more worried about making your 8 AM biology lab than the escalating cost of prescription meds, NA stories are for you!

What is a Twitter chat? 

Basically, it's a prearranged discussion that happens live on Twitter at a specific time/date. Think of it like instant messaging, but with Twitter. 

How do I participate in a Twitter chat?

First, get a Twitter account. It's free. Second, you'll want to be signed in when the chat is taking place. Then, you'll keep track of--and get involved with--the discussion by using a special # tag, like #NALitChat in your tweets. 

Example of a conversation Tweet: What's the best NA story you've read so far? #NALitChat

Anyone following the #NALitChat conversation will see your Tweet, as well as your followers.

How do I know what others are saying? Is there an easy way to keep up with the conversation?

Yes! There are lots of 3rd party "apps" you can download to your computer, phone, etc. that specialize in keeping up with Twitter # conversations. Here are links to a few good ones:

TWEETCHAT

HOOTSUITE

TWEETDECK

Why is EJ involved?

I've always felt there should be more people writing for college-aged readers. I didn't have a lot of reading choices in college in terms of stories written FOR me. I could read Harry Potter or Stephen King, Tolstoy or CS Lewis. 

Unfortunately, stories for the in-betweens just weren't marketable. There was a belief that 20-somethings didn't read enough to warrant their own genres/category. Then came Harry Potter, Twilight and a slew of other Young Adult stories that achieved great "crossover" success in adult markets. The concept of targeting those "new adults" gained some traction and has been growing as a result.

Aside from enjoying stories that feature characters in their 20s (like the Sookie Stackhouse series), I've also begun writing them. Plus, I have a real love for Young Adult lit, and as I mentioned above, NA is very much an extension of those wonderful stories. 

Anyway, with the help of some other authors and New Adult enthusiasts, I kind of birthed the idea of having a regular Twitter chat to promote the category and basically provide a forum for discussion. After all, there are chats for YA, literature and all kinds of other genres, so why not NA?

The Favor

So that's the skinny. We're going to be talking nothing but NA, every Thursday night starting at the end of this month. I'm hosting, and I've got some wonderfully talented folks with a passion for NA helping me moderate, answer questions, etc. If you're even remotely curious about NA, or just want to find some new books to read, be sure to join us. 

You can get the full calendar, read chat transcripts and find some great NA resources at the NA Lit Chat blog (click for link) and follow @NALitChat on Twitter.

Speaking of following, blogs, etc. that's where I'd love your help. I know most of you are writers and readers, and you're connected with tons of other writers and readers. 

Would you consider helping me get the word out about the #NALitChat?

You can do it by following, Tweeting, blogging--however--in the weeks leading up to our first chat. I'll be posting more about it here (but not duplicating much, so no worries if you follow me on the NA Lit Chat blog too--this is, and will always be, my personal writing blog) and Tweeting from the @NALitChat account as well as my @EJWesley account. 

I appreciate any and all help in advance, and truly hope you'll stop by the new blog and tune in for the weekly chats. Would love to hear from you, and promise to keep it fun and informative.

~EJW~


26 comments:

  1. EJ, I'll be happy to help anyway I can. As for being at the Twitter chat, it's not really my genre, but I'm always happy to support anyone. I will be doing a blog post shortly and will do a tentative announcement for you, and more later as needed.

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    1. Wow! Thanks Donna! Really appreciate the help.

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  2. Really cool! I've followed "you" on Twitter and I'll look for the chat on Thursday nights. I'd love to learn more and see if some of the ideas I've had over the years might fit the NA genre.

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    1. We'd love to have you, Vicki! Should be a lot of fun. Kind of my prerequisite for being involved. :)

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  3. I'll be working during the chat, but may pop in on my break (if I remember!) Glad to hear that NA lit is getting some traction. :)

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    1. Alyson, I know your writing in the category, so your input would be great! Also understand the work schedule stuff, but hope you can pop in. :)

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  4. Sounds fun! I used to read a lot of chick lit (back when they were calling it chick lit) and that deals with women in their 20s much of the time. Off to tweet this post :)

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    1. Thanks a million, Jess! You should come hang with us if you get the chance.

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  5. I'll add it to the Ninja News this Friday for you!

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  6. Wow! Thanks Alex! No one gets the word out like you. :) I'll be looking for it and try to stop in. Hope you have a good holiday!

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  7. For fun!!!! I love twitter chats :D

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  8. This sounds like a fun idea! I'm not on Twitter yet, and it's not really what I read, but I can definitely do a shout out on my blog on Friday. :)

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  9. Hey, EJ! NA's not really my genre, but I'll support you and get the word out!

    Hope it's a big hit!

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  10. Very cool! I've been reading some New Adult books. In fact, I'm reading White Walls right now and that's New Adult. I have to check out your Twitter chat.

    I'm a new follower. I found you through the blog roster on Writers Digest. I saw you write YA and MG just like I do, so I thought I'd check out your blog. I hope you'll stop by my blog sometime and consider following me back. http://kellyhashway.blogspot.com

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  11. E.J. I love so many different types of books and I worry about genres, classifications and categories dividing rather than cohesively drawing folks together. That being said, good luck with the Twitter chat and I know you have a lot of valid arguments about books for that age group. Hopefully, young folks will for example read: Thoreau,Daniel Defoe,Emerson, Wharton, Cather, Twain, Herman Hesse,Dumas,Amy Tan, Toni Morrison,Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Dostoevsky, H.G. Wells, not only as a school requirement but to find the common denominators and the adventure uniting us as humans. My favorite category: Adventure.

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    1. Excellent points, TDR! I agree that genres and categories can be derisive, and also think it is a tool synonymous with "marketing/money", which turns a lot of our stomachs. However, I do think it serves its purpose for readers.

      I'm with you in that I hope readers still find the Emersons and Thoreaus and Wells oust side of what is required of them. But we also always need new "stuff" to give them. :)

      Actually, you've given me an idea for a chat topic: Are there "classic" examples of New Adult Lit, and what are they?

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  12. i totally will post about this next week when I return from blog break. Plus I'll participate if I can. It sounds fun.

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  13. I love YA and I am intrigued by your offerings! I don't tweet, but will consider this~ I do agree with you, there is a market...sales say so! This sounds like a great idea... I will check into these links and see... I'm excited about this genre, too :D

    Thanks EJ for paving the way
    Sounds fun!

    Thanks for making my day with your comment! ;D

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  14. Sounds like a good idea, EJ! Consider it tweeted!

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  15. I've never Twitter chatted before. I might check it out, and I will definitely give it a shout-out on my Twitter.

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  16. EJ, this is a GREAT idea! I've heard of authors self-pubbing stories like this because editors won't buy them. What a great opportunity for writers of this genre! I'm a-tweetin' now :)

    Enjoy your beach time next week!

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  17. I agree.. excellent idea! NA is so important yet just doesnt get the recognition it deserves. I can say that Curiosity Quills Press does pub NA, so you may wanna mention that in the chat. I will try to make the chat, but I'll definitely blog about it in my next post! :)

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  19. I should be able to stop by. If I don't have time to chat, I'll at least tag and mention the discussion on my twitter accounts. Good luck!!

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  20. I would love more YA options!! My YA in this house are all readers...and always looking for something to read.

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