Age Categories

Writing fantasy and not having half naked women with weaponry does not automatically place the story in the young adult category. The NewEarth Series is not considered for people under 18 because of the themes, ages of the characters, topics, sexuality, and concerns of the characters. However, I never object to readers, so if someone seventeen chooses to read one of my stories and becomes a fan I am in no way going to be upset.

The difficulty with putting labels on literature is that what is too mature for this fifteen year old, is not for another. I consider it a parental choice and simply say eighteen and older for the NewEarth Series because the stories do explore some of the sexual implications of the mating bond, and many people have objections to people under 18 being exposed to that.

The next question invariably comes with a frown. Why is the artwork aimed at children? Anime is not limited to young people, nor is it indicitive of being appropriate for a younger age. The style of art is simply that, a style, which lends more to the readers imagination while supplying some color, form and structure. Athena’s art helps readers visualize, but does not rigidly define the characters as some other styles of art might. Hopefully people enjoy her rendering of NewEarth as much as I do. I am always amazed with what she can do based on my descriptions.