The New Trend
Some CBA publishers have dabbled in the YA marketplace, and not done well economically. When you sell a book for only $4.99 it’s a challenge to make money from it.
More recently books geared for older youths are selling in trade format in the $12 range. They run 300 pages or more, and cater to the same kids who gobbled up Harry Potter and Tolkien. Witness the success of Bryan Davis’ Dragons In Our Midst series, and Donita K. Paul’s Dragonspell series, both of which launched in the CBA market, but have now crossed over to selling on the shelves of Wal*Mart.
Some have called these types of fiction crossover fiction in that the fiction transcends the YA audience to appeal to older youth and adults alike.
If you’re writing to sell, take note of this trend!