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This module introduces you to and enhances your understanding of writing for a young adult market. This will include examining the various genres encompassed in YA, including realism, romance, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and/or crime. It will begin by examining the recent history of young adult emerging as a distinct market in the 21st century and its historical relationship with other genres. It will investigate the trends and themes most common in YA that connect with the teenage experience, such as coming of age narratives. Next, you will focus on techniques and approaches, augmenting your writing practice from the first trimester by interrogating the creative choices and sub-genres or mashups available to you. Mastering young adult audience expectations and writing for that market will be emphasized throughout the trimester. You will undertake writing challenges and receive formative, in-person masterclass feedback to help you chart the progress of your YA genre fiction. The module will have an extensive reading list, exposing you to the cutting edge of current YA fiction from contemporary to historical steampunk mashups.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:
LO1: Generate ideas for a variety of genre approaches of fiction for a young adult market
LO2: Exercise appropriate judgement in identifying the most effective techniques for a particular genre fiction narrative for a young adult market
LO3: Analyse the function, limitations and possibilities of young adult fiction
LO4: Engage in professional critical self-reflection and appraising your own work
LO5: Produce artistically ambitious and marketable short pieces of young adult fiction