When writing a fantasy novel does it make more sense to appeal to a teenager audience or an adult one? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 day ago by FavouriteShapes@sh.itjust.works to c/writing@sh.itjust.works

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I'm thinking of something classic with feudal medieval vibes. Are there a lot of adult fantasy readers? Or is it better to dance around more traumatic NSFW events in the book to make it more suitable for teens?

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[-] graycube@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Skip the dark stuff, we have enough of that in the real world. We are reading fantasy to escape and spark.our imagination. You can use sophisticated language and idea and have deep characters without being dark.

[-] FavouriteShapes@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I do value your advice, i can't stand novels which are a traumafest, so i definitely won't be imparting something like that on to the world.

Nonetheless, if i want to simulate human interaction as accurately as possible there's gonna be some nasty stuff from time to time, with the story i have in mind

this post was submitted on 27 Jun 2026

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