Poll

I would not be opposed to joining a YA spin-off if you had the capacity to open up another group.

Are you reading my mind on potential outcomes Sapphyria?

Sapphyria wrote: "I would not be opposed to joining a YA spin-off if you had the capacity to open up another group."

Another group I'm in for reviews did that and it's worked out great.

Jenny B wrote: "Are you reading my mind on potential outcomes Sapphyria?"

:) It actually makes sense to me. I created a second blog for just 18+ books because I was uncomfortable posting about a Blackdagger Brotherhood book one day and a YA book the next.

I understand why there would be restrictions. However, I was reading adult novels under 18, way younger, and if I had knew about Goodreads then I would have loved to join in on the discussions. As long as they're mature and understand the content, I see no problem with it. The problem is, we don't know their maturity level. Either way I'm okay with it since I'm 19 now and it doesn't concern me. :)

The poll results seem to speak for itself. I'm in agreement on the YA split. I'm personally coming out with a YA Steampunk Fantasy, so this would be ideal. Most paranormal - mine included - I think is a little too hot for the YAs. ;)

It really is showing!

Never thought of splitting off and making a YA branch. Interesting thoughts.

Sapphyria wrote: "I would not be opposed to joining a YA spin-off if you had the capacity to open up another group."

Same here.

I like the idea of a split. I write both, a "mild" YA and a more spicy one. So I would be interested in joining both groups - one for each of the "subgenres".

I am not accustomed to moderating myself for the youngsters. It's just not part of my paradigm and I would be uncomfortable enough to not participate in a group that I had to. It's not a "position" it's just that if given a choice I will choose to not have to think about it. I never moderated myself for my son (who is now in his 30s) and it just isn't part of my mindset to do it 30 years later.

YA is something totally different and can be its own group. I hate having to censor my comments and posts.

tbh I don't have a problem being part of 2 groups, I would however like a space to comment without taking into consideration age etc It's just more comfortable

As an author of both erotic and regular paranormal romance and erotic urban fantasy, I never sell my books for those over 18 to under 18s. This is something my publishers tell us. Not that I can stop adult parents buying my erotic stuff and letting their teens read. Not that teens most likely know more about sex then me a married woman. As a mother (adult son) I am being careful. Why I have two author websites (I write under my own name and have nonfiction ghost books kids third up who read as much as adults. Same for my blogs--for each name. I have a YA paranormal written and being edited by me now--but will be by my own name, not Sapphire Phelan.
If you talk about an erotic book one day and a YA the next, and there are under 18s on here, maybe have a separate PNR YA for them. And this one can have YA as adults read them too, but cover your back on teens when suggest an erotic book to read.

Problems with adult romances I read 7th grade up back in 60s/70s, is there really is changes. Same with YAs today. This really is a fine line to walk. Just I believe if Goodreads is changing. . . just cover yourself.

I feel that it is the parents who should be making this decision. Responsible parents know what their kids are reading and should know the level they are capable of. I have 2 girls and one was reading mature books for her age, as I did. The other I did not allow certain adult books, but kids today are exposed to alot thru media and internet so the line is a little more blurry than it used to be. Also a lot of what is considered YA covers alot of topics that I would want to be able to discuss with my kids either before or after they read certain stories to be sure they understood the storyline in relation to themselves and today's society.

See, I don't know how vote here. I read/review both YA and adult books. I was doing that in my teens. I don't mind under 18s being in the group because I don't see why we'd have to censor. What topics? How old/mature are the teens here? To do blanket censoring there has to be a line drawn on topics. It usually involves sex, yet violence is okay and let in often. I don't get censoring like that. I think it should be open to all and just put up warnings about the content so people can avoid it if they want to. If under 18s really want to read it and be apart of the group, they will find a way thus I see it as pointless.

But I'm usually an outlier on this topic. So, including under 18s = having to censor, and 18+ only means having to split and still watch myself on the younger group.

Honestly, there's so many groups and so much do to, I might join the other group but I doubt I'll really be participating. Or even reading the group much, there's only so much time.

I like the idea of it being open to all ages, but I read a lot of MG and YA. Also, a couple of the groups I belong to that are over 18 only have become heavily loaded toward erotica. Just sayin'.

I'm not 18 and this group isn't limited to erotic novels, so why would one want to make this an only 18+ group?

If you're going to have an erotic novel discussion or just any novel you think isn't suited for someone who is under the age of 18, you could just put that in the post; discussion limited to 18+.

Then again, if one is mature enough to participate in a reading and discussion, it shouldn't matter what age they are. They're not reading some smutty book that uses foul language in it, not including the actual character's dialogue.

As long as they're mature enough and seems like they can handle reading and discussing it, it shouldn't matter that much. If parents are concerened with things like this, they can just tell their teen not to read it. Quite frankly my whole sophomore (high school) class (academy I'm in) has been reading Fifty Shades of Grey, which is a very poorly written novel. Anyhow, they don't act like giggling fools over it, they enjoy the romance and what not. I personally don't see how, but that's irrelevant.

Enough of the rambling;
To long to read - Summary

Don't limit to 18+ , maybe just the actual discussions since the group isn't titled "Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy EROTICA" or something like that.

i think that a spinoff group would work best because not only can you be open with free flowing conversations, the book choices would be geared more to what the members really want to read no matter which group they decide to go with. splitting the group does entail more work for the mods but does give those that prefer YA/NA/MYA (Young Adult; New Adult; Mature YA)a place fill their TBR lists free from those that may contain erotica or more adult themes.

Basically we are all still on the honor system to put the appropriate ages in the profile and respect others.

I'm kind of into this spin-off idea just so everyone is included I'm over eighteen so this doesn't really affect me, I also was reading historical romances when I was younger then eighteen.

Also if we find it's better to creat a spin-off group maybe those who have time might be willing to help the mods with this potential idea. I know I'm willing to help come up with a solution to this issue.

I'm 32 so pass the age level. I don't mind having under 18 here. When I was a teenager I read these types of books

I like the spin off idea.

I like the idea of splitting the two. I would never have let my daughters read adult romances before the age of 18. Matter of fact, my youngest daughter just turned 18 and she says to me, "Mom, can I read your Gena Showalter books now?" I was lucky that my daughter listened to me when she was younger and turned to YA when I told her "No romance books!" I, too read romances when under 18, but feel that they have gotten slightly steamier over the years.

i think we shouldnt cut off under 18's but i also dont want our conversations to be limited - i think if its a... over 18 topic we should have ADULT ONLY or something along those lines in the heading, that way its giving a clear warning to whoever wants to participate.

Are there really so many discussions on here that wouldn't be suitable for a YA audience? If they're really keen readers of the genre they're sure to come across authors like JR Ward and even spicier ones, and I think 'Slowpoke' above said it well - this isn't by any means a group that focuses on erotica at the moment!

Still, if Goodreads policies are making this discussion necessary I can see that it's important to formulate a stance on it.

I don't think that there should be a split. I would only think so if it was like that from the beginning. It does depend on maturity level but if there parents allow them to be on this site then I feel like it's fine. Parents should monitor what their teens are doing on the internet. I don't feel like any teen that hasn't read a book that isn't on their level should feel the need to read a discussion about it. Therefore I don't feel like it matters too much. They should have restrictions on discussions so there doesn't have to be any separation.

i agree with slowpoke as well.

I'm not so apposed to having under 18 members, but you have to admit that a good majority of PNR is pretty steamy. I think it should be 17 and up. Most parents don't monitor their children on the internet unless they are in grammar school. If there was a way to separate book discussions if they are more "adult" it would be great but I think it would be difficult to do.

While I'm not opposed to under 18s in the group, if the discussions and/or content will be restricted (whether by GR or the group), I think a spin might be appropriate.

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it's great!

Dale wrote: "While I'm not opposed to under 18s in the group, if the discussions and/or content will be restricted (whether by GR or the group), I think a spin might be appropriate."

I agree with this.

I'm over 18 and fine with under 18 in the group. If GR forces the issue, then changes may have to be made. I moved to the "adult side" of the library around age ten. My reading choices were never censored. I simply outgrew the "kid" books. YA has brought me back to the kid side with some fantastic story lines and characters. I don't often write reviews, but when I do they are rated "E for everyone". :)

Tara. Thats pretty much what I was going to say. I read my mums romance books when I lived at home, and I moved out when I was 17! I found them (thats a while ago now!lol) totally boring. NOTHING like what is classed as romance these days(Priscilla).
Its a tough call to make, and individual maturity levels have a lot to do with that. Like you Tara, My reading was never censored either, so who are we, to do that, if someones parents say its OK, but then you have the other side of the coin, where you need to keep some kids safe. Hard call. I think an anonymous vote like this is the way to do it though.

I know what you guys mean. I pretty much skipped up YA and jumped up to adult when I was in middle school.

I feel much the same as many others. I think that since it's now an issue, there has to be a way to protect the group from being "in trouble" with GR.

Yes, many of us read books more advanced when we were younger, whether it was because we were mature or we were just uncensored. Unfortunately, in this day and age, we all have to pay for the few who do not monitor their childrens' activities.

I enjoy books across the spectrum, and am happy to see many more books than when I was young, that are geared to YA. I am currently in the middle of a YA series right now, as a matter of fact. And the nice thing about the +18, is that we should still be able to discuss them all. Hopefully, if it's set up properly, we can go in and out of discussions without having to bounce out of the +18 to the YA and vice versa.

I don't respond a lot on here, but really enjoy the reviews and thoughts of my fellow group members and hope we can continue in that same vein in light of the upcoming changes.

Even if we got to 18+ we will not be cutting out the YA genre.

Some groups should be 18+. Other groups should be 16+, it depends on the group. Being 40, I know how to ignore posts that don't go with the conversation, but at times am annoyed by kids (Sorry to those with kids) posting kid like posts about a subject when they should be in a YA group posting that stuff, but then again, some adults don't know how to post with the conversation or question either. Oh well.

Adina wrote: "Still, if Goodreads policies are making this discussion necessary I can see that it's important to formulate a stance on it. "

They're not. It's not Goodreads it's the moderators of groups decision completely. Goodreads is now providing an option for a group to choose to be 18 or older and restrict by age. They are also giving the choice for the group to stay as it has always been and not do any changes with posting or age.