Authors like me are clamoring to figure out what will be the Next BIG Thing. Therefore, this week’s topic in the YA Indie Carnival big top is “The Popularity of YA Fantasy”.
Anyone who reads industry blogs will see talk about dystopia, zombies, and urban fiction. I get it. I read the Hunger Games trilogy and thought it was fantastic. I’m not usually a fan of that desperate, violent genre, but I can see where books like HG could gain popularity – especially with the blockbuster movie coming out in March. So, I thought it curious when I received this topic that suggests that readers are looking for fantasy.
Then, I opened my eyes and looked at the clues. I had only to look at my DVR to see that two of the most popular new shows this season is Grimm and Once Upon A Time, both fitting very snugly in the realm of fantasy. I then pulled up the Teen Vogue website to see Kristen Stewart’s upcoming summer fantasy blockbuster, Snow White & the Huntsman, splashed all over it. There’s also The Hobbit movies that will start next Christmas.
I blame JK Rowling whose wizarding world bridged the generation gap and brought us all back to fantasy. While I’m not hiding a Gryffindor robe in my closet, I did make chocolate frogs for my son’s class last week and I bought Part 2 on Blu-ray the day it came out.
So folks, grab a handful of fairy dust, break out that spellbook, and give your dragon a kiss from me…it looks like Fantasy is here to stay.
See what my fellow carnival authors have to say on the subject: