Genre guide · Children & YA
New Adult: word count & book length
How long a new adult book should be, which trim sizes suit it and what that means in printed pages. Typical length: 70,000–100,000 words.
About new adult
Fiction with protagonists aged roughly 18–25, exploring college, first jobs and independence; often romance-led.
Printed length in recommended trim sizes
| Trim | Pages at 11 pt | Spine (white) |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 x 8.5 in Digest | 274–398 pages | 0.62–0.9 in |
| 6 x 9 in US Trade | 242–348 pages | 0.54–0.78 in |
Page counts for these lengths
Tips for this category
- New adult is strongest in ebook and subscription channels.
About New Adult
New adult (NA) fiction is a developing genre of fiction with protagonists in the 18–29 age bracket. St. Martin's Press coined the term in 2009, when they held a special call for "fiction similar to young adult fiction (YA) that can be published and marketed as adult—a sort of an 'older YA' or 'new adult'". New adult fiction tends to focus on issues such as leaving home, developing sexuality, and negotiating education and career choices. The genre has gained popularity rapidly over the last few years, particularly through books by self-published bestselling authors such as Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cora Carmack, Colleen Hoover, Anna Todd, and Jamie McGuire. The genre originally faced criticism, as some viewed it as a marketing scheme, while others claimed the readership was not there to publish the material.
From the Wikipedia article “New adult fiction”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Most-published new adult works in Open Library
| Title | Author | First published | Editions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Being Good | Mollie Player | 2017 | 2 |
Open Library lists 1 works under this subject.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a new adult book be?
What trim size is best for new adult?
Sources & data
- Subject statistics from Open Library.
- Summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).