Welcome Trish Milburn to RNTV! Trish Milburn is an eight-time Golden Heart finalist and two-time winner – once for Romantic Suspense and once for Young Adult. She writes YA as Tricia Mills for Razorbill (Heartbreak River, April 2009) and contemporary romance under her real name for Harlequin American (Her Very Own Family, May 2009). She is a former magazine editor, and still puts those editorial skills to use as a freelance copy editor and writer. She has her own blog and is a regular contributor to the Wet Noodle Posse, Romance Bandits, Supernatural Sisters, and Harlequin American group blogs.
In what little spare time she has, she enjoys reading, traveling, watching TV and movies (lots of them targeting teens), and hiking.
The Vibrant World of Young Adult Novels
By Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
One of the most exciting things I’ve seen in publishing during the past few years is the explosion of popularity in the young adult market as well as the wonderful variety that section of the bookstore now provides. Gone are the days when YA meant Sweet Valley High books. Today’s YA is as varied in content and tone as the authors’ imaginations.
My favorite YA novels always include romance at some level, whether it’s the main story or a secondary thread woven into the bigger story (or even just hinted at if it’s the beginning of a series). In YA, it’s equally important to deal with other relationships – those with friends, parents, other authority figures, enemies – and with the unique challenges teens face such as peer pressure, falling in love for the first time, crazy hormones and prom!
I think the variety of what readers can find in the YA/Teen section of the bookstore has fueled the genre’s resurgence after a number of years of pretty much being dead in the water. We can thank J.K. Rowling and her fabulous Harry Potter novels for starting the renewed interest and giving YA authors such as myself a chance to enjoy the increased popularity of the genre. The variety of topics and tones as well as the wonderful quality of the writing has brought readers of all ages to YA. I’m 38, and I read as much YA as anything else. There are lots of wonderful stories out there – something for everyone. For instance, you can find:
• Glitzy, high-society or mean girl books like the Gossip Girl, A-List and The Clique series.
• Lighter, fun paranormals like Meg Cabot’s Mediator series.
• Paranormal series with more edge like Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires, Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight and its sequels, and Scott Westerfeld’s Midnighters.
• Thought-provoking page-turners like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
• The new, fierce faery stories of Melissa Marr, beginning with Wicked Lovely.
• Different types of tearjerkers such as Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why and my own Heartbreak River (out this month under the name Tricia Mills).
• Combinations of historical with paranormal, such as Libba Bray’s series that starts with A Great and Terrible Beauty.
• Tales of the trials and tribulations of being a modern teenager, such as the novels of Simone Elkeles.
• And so much more.
I believe YA is also being helped by the fantastic covers the books are receiving. They demand to be picked up by browsing readers. Just look at these eye-catching and lush covers.
I am constantly adding to my list of YA novels I want to read, thanks to cruising the YA section of bookstores and reading some of the many, many YA-based reader blogs out there. It’s exciting to see young readers so excited about reading that they create blogs, vlogs, review sites and YouTube channels devoted to what they’re reading.
So, what about you? Are you a YA reader? What are some good YA novels you’ve read recently? What type of YA appeals to you as a reader?
And if you’re not currently a YA reader, I hope I’ve encouraged you to at least try this exciting and varied genre. As an incentive, I’ll give away one copy of Heartbreak River to one of today’s commentors.
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Fedora
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 1:49 am:
Hi, Trish! Popping in to say hello! I do read YA occasionally–the most recent I recall reading was Carol Culver’s trilogy set at Manderley Prep. I enjoy some of the same things I do in reading adult fiction–interesting, strong characters; good plotting; developing relationships… And it’s fun to revisit the feelings and experiences of the YA years without actually reliving them
I have to say, I think that YA these days is a whole different animal than what I remember actually reading when I was actually in the YA years–it’s a much more mature and wider world of offerings, I think.
And congrats on Heartbreak River!
Tawny Weber
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 2:22 am:
WOW, Trish, those are gorgeous covers. I have to admit, the closest I’ve gotten to YA in years is Harry Potter :-\ I am picking up Heartbreak River, though, so it looks like you’ll be reintroducing me to the genre, huh? I can’t wait to read it. Its sounds like the YA community is strong and viral, thats fabulous!!! I’m sure you’re going to take them by storm.
orannia
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 4:24 am:
HI Trish *waves*
I completely agree with you about the gorgeous YA covers
I’m definitely a YA reader! I’ve read and enjoyed all the Harry Potter books (although I am still upset over poor Sirius). I love Melissa Marr’s books and am eagerly anticipating the release of Fragile Eternity. I also picked up Maria V. Snyder’s Study series over Christmas and am also looking forward to reading her latest book – Storm Glass. After reading HP I picked up Eoin Cofler’s Artemis Fowl books, which are hilarious! What else? I’m still reading Tamora Pierce’s books – the latest will be released soon. Luckily the librarians at my local library are so used to my eclectic reading tastes that they don’t bat an eyelid 
I also have Graceling (Kristin Cashore ) and Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Allison Goodman) on my TBR list
I’d best stop now, or I’ll be going on for hours
All the best with the release of Heartbreak River!
Stacy ~
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 6:36 am:
Hi Trish. Great to have you here.
Wow, those are just beautiful. Very eye-catching. I read very few YA books, though I tend to lean towards the paranormal ones – Erin Lynn, Stephenie Meyer, PC & Kristin Cast. I know I should read more, but I’m already buried under so many adult romances, I don’t know if I could survive a barrage of YA ones too. But never say never.
Marisa
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 6:45 am:
Hi Trish – thanks so much for joining us today and for the great blog. I must admit I’m a YA virgin – except for the Harry Potter series. The only other YA book I’ve read (or I should say, I am in the process of reading) is Heartbreak River – and truth be told, I’m captivated.
I missed the whole YA thing ,there were no YA books during my teen years that interested me. I skipped right to Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca and then went on to James A. Michener and finally Stephen King. It’s incredible how much variety there is for young people now a days. I’m excited that they have vast and varied choices, books covering all sub-genres and ones with protagonists that they can relate to. For decades there has always been so many public initiatives to get young people to read, (remember “Reading is Fun damental”?) and with the boom of the internet, text messaging, tv etc. it became harder and harder to get young people interested in books. BUT, now authors are writing books that speak to an entire generation – and that really is all the incentive some one needs to pick up a book and read it – have it speak to them.
Maria Lokken
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 8:23 am:
Hi Trish – Welcome back to RNTV and congrats on “Heartbreak River”
I just read what Marisa posted, and thought ‘we could be twins.’ Oh, I forgot, we are! I pretty much followed her reading trail.
I distinctly remember Salinger’s ” The Catcher in the Rye” and it was the first time I felt as though an author was talking to me. At the time I don’t remember much YA being written, maybe I’m wrong and just didn’t notice.
Kati
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 9:07 am:
Hi Trish! I love, love, love YA books.
I recently finished listening to Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy which I found spell binding and *BRILLIANTLY* written. I’m also jonesing HARD for Diana Peterfreund’s new book: Rampant. Who doesn’t love evil unicorns?!?!
I enjoyed the first two Twilight books, but then kind of lost interest. And I’ve downloaded Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely to listen too. The quality of YA books is just amazing these days. And as you said, the covers are eye popping. In many cases, I think more beautiful than romance novels.
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 9:33 am:
Good morning, everyone! Thanks to the Ms for having me here today. I really appreciate it.
Fedora, girl, you’re everywhere.
I haven’t read Culver’s books yet. I do think you’ve hit on a key attraction for YA — being able to relive those years without actually having to relive the agony of liking the guy who didn’t like you, battling the social dynamics, the feeling of helplessness because you weren’t really in charge of your life, and zits! 
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 9:37 am:
Hi, Tawny. Great blog here yesterday. I’m glad I’m reintroducing you to the world of YA. I bet you find something beyond Heartbreak River to your liking.
orannia, waving back. I have heard so much about Tamora Pierce, but like so many others, I haven’t gotten to her books yet. I saw Eon at the bookstore on Saturday, but I restrained myself. Perhaps I should just live at the bookstore. Would you believe that I was lucky enough to get an advanced reading copy of Fragile Eternity, and I haven’t had time to read it yet. Ahhhh! I’ve had deadlines up to my eyeballs, but that’s actually a good thing.
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 9:42 am:
orannia, I also meant to say I’m with you on mourning Sirius. And poor Fred!
Stacy, I’ve been enjoying P.C. and Kristin’s House of Night books too, though I have to admit I’m behind. The last 2-3 are on my bookshelf, just begging me to toss my responsibilities aside and indulge.
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 9:47 am:
Hey, Marisa! I’m so glad that you’re enjoying Heartbreak River. I’m excited and nervous at the same time about what readers will think.
When I was a teen in the ’80s, there wasn’t all that much YA either. There was Sweet Valley High and a series of little historical romances with teen characters, but that was about it — at least as far as I can remember. By then, I was reading adult romances anyway. But I would have loved this wide variety of books for people my age.
And I do remember the RIF program. We had RIF book fairs at school.
Maria, LOL on the twin comment. You two are funny.
I’m going to hang my head in shame and admit that I’ve not read Catcher in the Rye.
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 9:49 am:
Kati, I loved the Gemma Doyle books too. And when Melissa Marr won the RITA award from Romance Writers of America for the Best YA of 2008, I was fortunate enough to be the presenter.
I know lots of people who stopped reading the Twilight series part of the way through, but I was a devotee to the end. Loved them all.
wendy toliver
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 10:08 am:
I agree, Trish. It’s exciting how many wonderful YA novels there are these days. I like how creative they are and how they, for the most part, get to the point rather quickly instead of 300 pages into the book. The most recent one I read is RAVEN by Allison Van Diepen and GHOST HUNTRESS by Marley Gibson. Loved them both. I just ordered ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBERRY HIGH by Amanda Ashby and hope it gets here on time to take on spring break.
Donna
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 10:20 am:
I guess I also qualify as a newbie to YA and plan to start the twlight books soon. YOur book sounds really good and would like to read it ..if i CAN’T WIN A copy I plan to at least get it from my library…
DONNA
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 10:27 am:
Hey, Wendy. Good to see you here. All the books you mention are ones that have been on my radar. I need a second me so one of me can just read all the time. So many books, so little time.
Donna, I hope you enjoy Heartbreak River and the Twilight books. I’m curious how many show up in libraries.
Kerri Nelson
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 11:24 am:
Hey Trish!
Don’t know if anyone has mentioned this yet or not but I just recently discovered the awesome world of YA as written by Megan McCafferty. If you’ve not read this series of books featuring teenager Jessica Darling…you must check it out. If you want to see a book trailer made by a teenage girl just to win the 5th book in the series check this out…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLfW_bf6Cfc
It even made the author cry knowing that her stories touched and shaped a young girl’s life.
Powerful stuff…when you can reach a teenage audience. I really applaud you for writing to this age group, Trish.
Also, if you want some totally hilarious YA stuff you must check out the Georgia Nicolson series too!
Trish, thanks for coming by and I’ve added your books to my list of TBB. So many books…so little time. If it wasn’t for working, cooking, cleaning, sleeping, and taking care of the kids…I could just read all the time! LOL
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 12:03 pm:
Kerri, that was a great video for the Jessica Darling books. And I love the titles of the Nicolson books. Okay, more to add to my enormous to-be-read list.
I agree that it’s powerful when a book can touch a teenager, particularly if they’re feeling alone or trapped, as so many teens do at some point during those difficult years.
Jo Robertson
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 12:23 pm:
Hi, Trish, what beautiful covers those are! I’d buy them just for the look of the book alone. I can’t wait for your YA to come out. I don’t read a lot of YA, Twilight and Harry Potter, but I love watching TV shows (and movies too) that are clearly aimed at an adolescent audience. Must be the young girl hidden in me!
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 12:35 pm:
Hey, Jo. I think we all have a teenage girl hidden inside of us somewhere. Mine has really large, Aqua Net ’80s hair.
Hard to believe when you look at me now, but I had some big hair.
Jan
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 2:26 pm:
Hi Trish!
I read any YA novel that my 16 year old niece, Andi, brings to me. It’s always “Aunt Jan, You’ve gotta read this!”
Twilight and sequels for example.
I always look for books for her at our school book fairs and when I am buying for me. I’m going to ask her about some of the books you listed.
I’d really like to win Heartbreak River for Andi. Of course, I’d borrow it back from her and read it myself.
Jan
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 2:36 pm:
Oh and the last one I actually had time to sit down and read cover to cover (and I did) was The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.
Excellent book!
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 3:31 pm:
Jan, how fun that you and your niece share books. I love all the stories I hear of moms and daughters, aunts and nieces, etc., sharing titles they love. That’s the cool thing about YA now — you can enjoy it no matter your age.
Buffie
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 4:10 pm:
Hey Trish! Wonderful to have you with us today. I have to admit I haven’t read an YA book since back in the Sweet Valley High days. But with the way the genre is progressing, I really need to give it a try. And just like everyone else has said, the cover are gorgeous!! They are really eye catching.
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 4:18 pm:
Hi, Buffie. Good to see you. It really is worth going to the bookstore and just browsing the YA section. Each time I go, I come away with books and the names of others I want to read.
Christine Wells
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 5:17 pm:
Hi Trish, great post! I don’t read much YA but it’s not a case of not wanting to, I just don’t seem to have time to expand my reading beyond romance and essential non-fiction these days. Of course I’m really looking forward to Heartbreak River and I want to read more widely. It feels like an exciting time for the genre, with a lot of different kinds of books out there and a lot of experimentation. As you say, there was really nothing like it when we were teens, unless you count Sweet Valley High and Sweet Dreams. THanks for the recommendations!
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 5:20 pm:
Hey, Christine. I totally understand not having the time to read all you want to. Seriously, I have more than 900 books in my house, the large majority of which have not been read. They’re ones by friends, ones I saw and really wanted to read, etc. I wouldn’t give up my writing career, but I remember fondly the days when I had a lot more reading time. Of course, then I didn’t have the money to buy all the books I wanted. It’s an evil Catch-22.
Gannon
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 6:04 pm:
Hey, Trish! Did y’all get any snow? We have a couple of inches on the ground–snow day for the kids! We’re heading to FL this weekend for spring break, so we’ll get lots of warm weather.
I love Libba Bray’s trilogy! And I have the Twilight books on my shelf, but I haven’t gotten to them yet. Jennifer Echols sent me a copy of her latest to read and review. I should get to that later this month. The variety of YA books is so vast now, much more so than when we were younger.
It goes without saying that I’ve read ALL of the Harry Potter books!
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 6:21 pm:
Hey, Gannon. We don’t have snow here, though for a few minutes yesterday we did have a snow squall and it was flying all over. But none of it accumulated because it’s just been too warm lately. It was 75 on Sunday. I washed the car in the driveway. Yesterday, I had to wear my winter coat to go to the mailbox. Have fun in Florida. I love it down there, would so be a snowbird if I could now.
Isn’t that trilogy by Libba Bray awesome? I admit there was something I’d like to have seen done differently, but I really enjoyed the books despite that and can see her point of view in writing it as she did. I anxiously awaited each new installment. Now I’m really looking forward to Suzanne Collins’ sequel to The Hunger Games. I came across THG because Stephenie Meyer recommended it on her site.
Let me know what you think of the Twilight series when you finish it.
Beth Andrews
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 6:26 pm:
Hey, Trish! I love YA books and I can’t wait to read Heartbreak River! The last two YAs I read were Marked by PC Cast and Kristin Cast and The Second Virginity of Suzy Green by Sara Hantz and I enjoyed them both very much *g*
I adore Meg Cabot’s YA books and some of my other favorites are Fever 1793 and Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty and The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart just to name a few
Do you find it difficult to switch from your YA voice to your Adult romance voice? Is it a matter of voice or style?
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 6:37 pm:
Hey, Beth. Thanks for swinging by today, especially since we’re having so much fun with your launch party over at Romance Bandits.
I haven’t read any of Anderson’s books yet, but I’m going to have to. Her newest release, Wintergirls, is getting a lot of buzz. I’m seeing it everywhere.
Honestly, I like switching back and forth between the adult books and the YA ones. I think probably my voice is the same in both, but they differ in approach and tone. The YA books are more immediate because they’re in first person, and they have to sound younger. I have to channel my teenage self.
The heroines of both types of books face issues in the same general areas (love, family, outside conflicts), but they are coming at it from different perspectives and different times in their lives. Where I am in my life now, late 30s, I think I can write effectively from the point of view of both a teen who still had to obey her parents and a person whose parents are aging and developing life-altering health issues. The whole child becomes the parent thing.
Plus, I like switching back and forth so that I don’t get bored. I never want to get bored of either kind of story because I love them both.
PJ
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 6:37 pm:
Hi Trish! Congrats on Heartbreak River! I haven’t read much YA but I’m starting to get into it a bit more thanks to a 14 year old in my life and I definitely plan to read yours. I hope it enjoys much success!
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 6:38 pm:
Thanks, PJ. I really hope you enjoy Heartbreak River. So, has the 14-year-old turned you on to any particular books or authors?
Margay
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 7:33 pm:
I rediscovered YA when my daughters got me into Twilight and I’ve read some pretty good books (besides the Twilight series, which I loved) in the genre since then. Mari Mancusi’s Boys That Bite was a fun read and Wicked Lovely was interesting. This is definitely a genre I will continue to explore.
Margay
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 7:38 pm:
Hey, Margay. Glad to see another emerging fan of YA. I want to read Mari’s book too. I just read a cute paranormal called Sucks to Be Me by Kimberly Pauley.
Susan Kelley
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 9:21 pm:
Hi Trish. I have a teenage daughter. The books you’ve mentioned above might have been a list compiled off her bookshelf. She’s constantly telling me, “Mom, you have to read this book.” Between the books I want to read and the ones she wants me to read, I need to quit my job. I envy the choice young readers have today I agree with you. Harry Potter turned so many young people on to reading and also woke publishers and book stores up to that wonderful market. I wish there was time to read them all.
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 10:33 pm:
Susan, again, I think that’s so cool when moms and daughters are sharing books. J.K. Rowling will always be one of my heroes for getting so many kids interested in reading again — and for how she pulled herself out of poverty and believed in her story. I think she’s awesome.
Marisa
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 11:21 pm:
Trish – thanks so much for joining us today and for giving us a look at what’s happening in YA today. I’m hoping to hear a lot more from you on this subject and really enjoying reading Heartbreak River.
Thanks to all of you who joined us today, Trish will announce the winner on the blog shortly.
Trish Milburn (aka Tricia Mills)
on Apr 7th, 2009
@ 11:33 pm:
Thanks to you, Marisa. I enjoyed being here today to talk about a topic near and dear to my heart.
And now for the winner of today’s giveaway. Drum roll please… JAN! Please e-mail me at trishmilburn AT yahoo DOT com with your full name, mailing address and how you want the book signed.
Thanks SO MUCH to everyone who came by to comment today. I really appreciate all the comments — and all the titles of books to add to my TBR pile.
orannia
on Apr 8th, 2009
@ 4:00 am:
Congrats Jan
Buffie
on Apr 8th, 2009
@ 8:03 am:
Congrats Jan! Enjoy
Jan
on Apr 8th, 2009
@ 8:37 am:
Oh cool! Yea! A book to share with Andi. Thanks.
Vanessa Barneveld
on Apr 9th, 2009
@ 6:26 pm:
Hi, Trish! I’m so looking forward to reading Heartbreak River. I actually ordered my copy last night.
As a reader and writer, I love how much scope there is in YA. So many issues and angles to explore. I’ve just finished Amanda Ashby’s ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBURY HIGH, which is hilarious, and I’m starting on Tina Ferraro’s ABCs OF KISSING BOYS.