What Young Males Want to Read

The question: why write serious/ humorous books for young adult readers that don't contain fantasy, sci-fi, horror or mythology? Aren't these the guys who are so into computer games that they rarely come up for air, let alone to read a book? And when they do, don't they simply want a book that gives them the same stuff they see on the screen--violence, weird beings and males in some seemingly inescapable situation?

Hold on. I have the audacity to suggest that these young males live on the same planet that young females live on, and I also warn you not to make the mistake to believe young males want totally different reading opportunities than young girls. Yes, they are drawn to the ugly and the bizarre, no doubt about it, but well-written humor and romance will also capture their imaginations and help teach them important lessons as well.

Sure, authors must make little concessions to get them hooked. For one thing, the cover probably will look a bit different from the Baby-Sitter's Club books. The main character may well be dealing with a topic that would not excite females, competition over team chemistry, winning the girl rather than learning how to build a healthy relationship, and facing out rather than facing in. But that doesn't mean you can't sneak relationships and feelings into the novel somewhere appropriate. Boys want to know these things, too, if for the only reason to coexist with those aliens called girls.

Authors have done a much better job covering the themes of boy-boy and girl-girl love and disabilities than ever before, but too often, if the major theme of the book doesn't cover one of these topics, the subject isn't likely to be covered as a side theme. Young adults need to know these themes are universal. They should crop up occasionally in fantasy and other themed books.

I am writing a book right now that has suicide and the effects of it as its main theme. It also deals with how one knows when someone loves them but doesn't come right out and say it (from the perspectives of the main character, Remy, and his friend May, but also from a side character named Jae, who is gay.) Even if the reader is not dealing with any of these issues, he or she will learn something about the themes and themselves.

I think that the inability to focus on some of these issues is why so many people are choosing to publish independently nowadays. These books have an audience, but mainstream publishers tend not to take a risk on them. It's safer to continue the old formula gleaning from what sells already.