Turns out that man was none other than fantasy author Terry Pratchett.
Plenty of adults possibly even more than teens read andloveYA.
So writers, then, dont need to writeonlyfor that demographic.
Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly
I write for people who are questioning, said Yoon.
Questioning the world, and how they fit into it.
Readers are naturally curious people…
I write and edit for an audience of one, said Forman.
I love writing YA because teenagers are allowed to feel their emotions.
In YA, emotions are both true and valid.
Johnson loves writing for teens, even if theyre a tougher audience: Adults are dumb, she explained.
you’re free to sneak a lot past adults, but teens will spot it.
Added Stiefvater, Teens have a really good bs meter.
Forman agrees: Cell phones are a nightmare.
Its a nightmare to always have people reachable narratively.
Im really tempted to set books in 1990.
The weird, kind of dorky girl gets the cute guy?
I didnt know that could happen!
That swam in the back of my brain and eventually came out in my books, she said.
Johnsons influences range from Agatha Christie mysteries to American classics likeThe Great Gatsbyand the work of Ernest Hemingway.
Its a weird grab bag, she said.
The Smiths fans became the writers in my high school, for sure, he said.
And writers havegreatbook recommendations:
Looking for your next read?
These authors have some ideas for you:
Stiefvater:A 52-Hertz Whaleby Natalie Tilghman.
Its a strange, nontraditional YA book told all in emails, she explained.
And its a fast read, so you could force it on anyone.
Yoon:More Happy Than Notby Adam Silvera.
Youll cry, she promised.
Forman:The Truth Commissionby Susan Juby.
Johnson:Tell The Wind and Fireby Sarah Rees Brennan.
Black:Love is the Drugby Alaya Dawn Johnson.
Its about a pandemic flu!
Its awesome, she said.
Levithan:Challenger Deepby Neal Schusterman.
I started it and I was like, What is going on?'
Thats usually a sign that Im liking a book.
Watch the full panel above and check out more videos from EW Fest below!
