Suzy Turner: The rise of the popularity of YA fantasy

YA fantasy certainly seems to be gaining popularity... fast, doesn't it? And who can we thank for this amazing phenomena? Perhaps Stephenie Meyer? JK Rowling (although HP is more children's fiction)? But there must have been YA fantasy before these gals came onto the scene?

To be completely honest, I never even heard of YA until I picked up my very first copy of Twilight! I know, I know, lame, lame... but all I ever used to read was chick lit. I still read that genre too, but in between the copious amounts of YA fantasy I devour whenever I can (which probably isn't often enough!).

I'm still very behind most of my indie writers pals... I haven't even read The Hunger Games yet, for instance and the movie is looming on the horizon. I need to get my ass into gear!

So why is YA fantasy so popular? Well, that's easy! Because it's freaking awesome, that's why! It's the perfect way to completely lose yourself from the real world. Vampires, werewolves, changelings, ghosts, aliens, alternate realities, shape shifters, time shifters, talking animals, beautiful angels. I mean, do we need anything more? I hope YA fantasy will continue to rise in popularity... because I for one, will never get enough of it!