Tween section?

Gray.Starr x3 · Nov 6, 2010

Ok, so I've heard mention of this on a thread here...
I'm thinking one of my WIPs could possibly classify for it, only problem is...I've never heard of it before >.<
What's this "tween section" all about exactly?

Sage · Nov 6, 2010

What you're probably thinking about is the Middle Grade section, which is pre-YA. A nice breakdown between MG, YA, and adult can be found here.

There's also a thread on All Things MG in the Writing for Kids forum

suki · Nov 6, 2010

When people say tween, they generally really mean Upper MG with a touch of romance. So, if you are on the cusp between MG and YA, ignore "tween" and decide between MG and YA.

~suki

Gray.Starr x3 · Nov 6, 2010

Sage:
I was actually referring to a post in the Shady's Edgy YA thread

Originally Posted by Soccer Mom
I think a lot of people (especially those new to writing) don't understand the distinction between MG and YA and the "tween" stuff.

Click to expand...

You're absolutely right, and it's really a problem. YA is so much closer to adult than MG. I'm thrilled that there's a tween category developing...because right now the gap is sort of unpleasent.

The way it was referenced made it seem as if tween was its own category .
Am I getting mixed up ?

suki · Nov 6, 2010

Gray.Starr x3 said:
Sage:
I was actually referring to a post in the Shady's Edgy YA thread

The way it was referenced made it seem as if tween was its own category .
Am I getting mixed up ?

The confusion comes from many people in publishing use the term "Tween" for those books that sort of fall between YA and MG, but the term is sort of misleading, because most editors and agents really don't use it as it's own classification. The reality is there is no Tween section in most book stores and no one really shops a book to editors as "tween."

So, if you think the book falls between YA and MG, you may have a marketability issue - and the best bet is to try to figure out where it would fit better (MG or YA) and make it fit.

And, in my experience, usually "Tween" really means Upper MG.

~suki

Angela_785 · Nov 7, 2010

Thanks for the breakdown--I found this really useful.

Sage · Nov 7, 2010

I agree with Suki. Even when books are described as Upper MG/Lower YA (Janice Hardy's The Shifter, for example), they're being shelved in the MG section. According to agents during Write On Con, the 14-15 year old protags have a hard time finding their place in the book store.

Tween section?

Gray.Starr x3

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

suki

Opinionated