A young adult romance (or YA romance, for short) is a love story written for teenage readers and published as part of a "line" such as Bantam's Sweet Dreams.  Generally, these range from 30,000 words (approximately 120 pages) to 50,000 words (or 200 pages).  Although the protagonists are usually from 15 to 17 years old, readers tend to be girls from 11 to 14.  The romantic conflict (what keeps the hero and heroine apart) should be more than superficial; like most young adult fiction, these are 'coming of age' stories that help readers understand their own problems and emotions.  Those interested in writing YA romances might want to consider joining the Society of Childrens' Book Writers

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