Re:Fantasy must shake off the tyranny of the mega-novel
by JoshTriplett on Friday May 22, 2015 @05:45PM
(#9591025)
It certainly makes sense from a marketing point of view, though even there it's possible to market a book to YA without making it a classification. I just don't think the distinction makes sense as a top-level classification.
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Re:Fantasy must shake off the tyranny of the mega-novel
by dragonwriter on Friday May 22, 2015 @06:04PM
(#9591091)
The two purpose top-level classifications serve is (1) identifying where to look for retail customers, and (2) discussing distinct business market segments.
I think it makes pretty good sense from both of those perspectives.
It probably doesn't from the point of view that classifications should fit some neat content-description role, but that's never been the function that they actually serve except insofar as content descriptions have utility to the other purposes mentioned.
Re:Fantasy must shake off the tyranny of the mega-novel
by JoshTriplett on Friday May 22, 2015 @06:41PM
(#9591225)
(2) could be solved by marketing the same book differently. I agree that (1) has value, and (2) has some value when classifying customers.
However, this thread started because many adult sci-fi and fantasy readers look down on YA books. That's the purpose for which I'd suggest that the distinction doesn't make much sense.