Until recently, popular wisdom would have you believe that consumers of romance literature are barely literate. That public perception is changing rapidly, helped along by e-books and e-readers.
According to statistics - depending upon which statistical analysis you view - sales of romance books increased somewhere between 27-34% during 2010. E-book sales were up 172% in 2010. In 2009, romance already owned the largest share of the consumer market in trade paperback sales. Barnes and Noble is betting right now on their Nook romance sales to carry them over the hump. It may be a good bet.
The New York Times suggests the boom in sales of romance might be related to the fact that women, and a few men, can enjoy reading romance with the anonymity of an e-book upload. Nobody can glance at the book cover and give a dismissive shake of their head or roll their eyes. Other articles attribute the increase in sales to the tumbling economy and the affordability of romance novels, especially low cost e-books, relative to new releases in literary fiction.
My theory regarding the increase in popularity of the romance genre? Good, solid storytelling - something I have sorely missed in literary fiction for a number of years. Does that mean every romance novel is stellar? Of course not. Romance produces plenty of stinkers. However, around five years ago, I grew weary of reading what I came to think of as literary masturbation. Me…My…Mine…whiny…self-absorbed…too cool for school stuff - most of it recommended by my sister and the New York Times. A lot of the books were cookie cutter, lacking soul, lacking humor other than the requisite snarky black humor, and lacking a purpose, aside from simple self-expression. Frankly, I was bored. That’s not to say I disliked everything - I found some fantastic authors - but in general, literary fiction rubbed me the wrong way.
Science fiction, fantasy and mystery had always appealed to me and I focused anew on those sub-genres in addition to nonfiction. That stuff was as good as ever, maybe even better. So how and why did I segue into the world of romance? It wasn’t so much a leap of faith as it was a fear of flying. Not the book by Erica Jong. I was afraid to fly. Pre-flight, I stood, quaking, in one of the ubiquitous airport bookstores and I thought, I need something completely new and different to distract me from my fear. I picked up the book closest to hand. It turned out to be a fun little gem - The Charm Stone, by Donna Kauffman - about a bright young surfer girl/artist, a magic necklace, a spelled dwarf/guardian of said necklace and a hotter than hot dead/immortal Scottish guy. Sold! I didn’t even notice when the plane left the ground. I thought the book was an aberration, but I kept it around as my never-fail travel talisman anyway.
A year or so later, I found myself sidelined by a severe knee injury and in dire need of reading material. A friend brought me three books by Linda Howard, Kill and Tell, Son of the Morning and After the Night. Holy fuckin’ shit! What a trip! I began to devour romance. Over the next year of rehab, I must have read hundreds of romance novels, all sub-genres. I think I went through an entire Hannah Howell library in three weeks. From there I moved on to some Urban Fantasy, Dystopian works, Paranormal…I began to notice that literary fiction picked up a few tips from the writers of genre fiction and was all the better for it, piquing my interest in some of the new releases.
In summary, romance isn’t for dummies. Romance readers and writers are many things - we’re lawyers, doctors, nurses, researchers, chefs, artists, mothers, wives, homemakers…we come in all shapes, sizes, colors and ages.
Thursday romance readers/reviewers/bloggers will discuss their background and their interest in romance - Jessica from Read React Review, Susi from The Geeky Bookworm, Stephanie from Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust, TJ from Dreams and Speculation, and Penelope from Penelope Romance Reviews. Friday, I’m featuring authors - Cindy Spencer Pape, Katalina Leon, Rosalie Lario and if I’m lucky, Leslie Richardson - amazing, intelligent, very together women who are passionate about storytelling, i.e., romance.
This topic is one that always irks me. The fact that we’re supposed to feel ashamed that we read and actually enjoy the romance genre. I’ve always known that a lot of people believe women who read romances are dumb and lonely. *rolls eyes* I’ve never seen another genre that gets typecast as much as romance. Sigh. Lets hope the public perception really is changing, because romance is here to stay!
Yup! I’m not ashamed either, Delilah!
Looking forward to all your wonderful guests!
Great post!! I agree, Romance is here to stay. I’m looking forward to your upcoming guests.
Is it just me and my inappropriate humor line, or did you just use Masturbatory Fiction and “rubs me the wrong way”, in the same paragraph on purpose? *grin*
I love this post, Julia. You couldn’t have said it better. There was a time when I was embarrased to read romances. I’d huddle behind the shelves, snatching books while looking out of the corner of my eye. Sometimes I’d smirk or snort and put it back after reading the blurb. My message: “Geez, people read this shit?” an indirect, but clear one. I loved them though. I horded them. Then I started writing them.
I don’t know when or how it happened, but writing it dropped the facade. I love romance. I love the happy endings. I love the love story. I love authors who take me there. So now I don’t even blink when I tell people I’m a romance writer. Yes, I still get that look, but now my brain kind of smirks at their expression and I think, “Wow, what a narrow-minded snob. It would be wasted on you anyway.”
Also, I love Linda Howard. Son of the Morning is my all time fave of hers.
OMG! Delilah just said it perfectly readers and writers of romance get typecast and belittled all the time.
This topic is so big (in my mind! lol) I don’t even know where to start but I love that Julia is bring it up and blogging about it so eloquently.
XXOO Kat
Great blog. Romance covers all genres. You’ll usually find a love story in the classics, mysteries, murders, fantasy, etc. They might not be front and center, but they’re woven into the story line.
Sandra - ICAM. Romance is woven into almost everything we see or read - including mythology - a lot of which is lust. Zeus was a great one for lusting after human women.
Mia - I said what I meant and I meant what I said! Yeah…I know! Honestly, Mia - the way you write, the heart and soul you give to your characters…I can tell how much you love the genre, the characters, the love story and how you expect your readers to be discerning.
Kat - I don’t know how eloquent I am. I can be, when my brain is working. Not always working. Yes, it’s a big topic - hard to know where to begin but I certainly don’t feel a need to hide behind a Kindle or Nook to read my romance.
Ciara and Amber - thank you so much. Stop by tomorrow or even later today and see if there’s any discussion. I was figuring I’d get nailed (oops another double entende) by someone who either believes the romance genre demeans us as a sex or by a fan of literary fiction who doesn’t like my description.
No need to be ashamed. I’m one the crazy ones who actually buys the hot books in print to chose the pretty covers around. Great post hon, as always!
xoxo
That’s why you are so much fun, Susi! You’re fearless and proud of loving romance.
I think I’m the only person on the planet who didn’t realize there was any other genre in the library besides romance until I was well into my 20′s. Seriously. I was enjoying the stories too much to be embarrassed. Then again, hard to call the valedictorian a bimbo based on her leisure reading. tee hee.
Until I became a writer I had no idea romance got such a bad rap. And now that I write EROTIC romance I’m finding out exactly how the red-headed stepchild feels. Fortunately, I don’t lack in self-confidence and the literary snobs can turn their noses up all they want. Me and my “Fabio” cover will happily sit over here and enjoy the fantasy.
(PS I LOVE your new look!)
Good for you, Nina! I never even knew the library had a romance section. I was too busy reading the classics - what was I thinking!?! So many wasted years…
When I was in college, I walked into my final exam with a romance novel in tow. It was an English lit final, and I always finished early, so I brought the book with me. My lit professor was a man in his late 30′s. He had the nerve to turn his nose up at me whe he saw the cover of my book and ask, “How can you read such trash?” I ignored him and took my final. An essay on a poem called ‘The Teapot.” I turned my exam in an hour early and he immediately read it. Then he gave it to the advance lit teacher in the class next door. When he gave me my A+ he said, “I changed my mind. You can read whatever the hell you want.” And we do come from all walks of life. I’m a mother, a wife, and a nurse.
your blog posts are always thought-provoking and well-written. How much do you charge to write for other bloggers? Snort! I agree with you about cookie cutter plots and self-expression. Of course, all authors express things they feel, but it must be done well and be unique.
Julia,
OMG you read my mind! Loved your path and I too had a mental meltdown over literary fiction, because that was all my parents would let me read. Do you know how many pages you have to go through to find a kiss in Anna Karenina? War and Peace? I wasn’t allowed to go see West Side Story.
My dad asked me on Saturday how the books are coming. I told him I wouldn’t let him read it. “Why?” he asked. And I had to tell him, “Because you aren’t allowed, ’cause I know what’s best for you.” He laughed.
He’ll celebrate my success, even if he doesn’t enjoy the words. I’ll bet there are more “successful” romance authors too. Now that would be a fun statistic to see.
Great post. Thanks for the nudge.
Great post! I’m looking forward to the next parts.
Hey Julia, good going. I’ve been reading romance since I was 13 years old. And, writing it for that long. I never worried about what anyone thought of me reading romance novels, I suppose, in part, because I always got top grades. So, my intelligence wasn’t ever in question by those who knew me.
For, the reasons you stated literary fiction doesn’t do it for me. Actually, it never did. Yeah, maybe I missed some good literary reads. But, I just couldn’t stand being that bored. Or the hoity toity crap of it all. Although, I do like War and Peace.
Nina ~ Luv ya~ “Me and my “Fabio” cover will happily sit over here and enjoy the fantasy. “
Shawn - I’m in awe! I could never have done that, even if I’d been reading romance at the time.
Ack! Fran - pay me to write my own posts! Geez! Yeah, I dislike cookie cutter plots in all genres.
Sharon - LMAO! My dad is exactly the same. He wants me to be successful, but I won’t let him read my books. He and I do discuss biographies and nonfiction though.
Thanks for stopping by, Marsha - hope to see you tomorrow!
Hey Savanna - there’s some remarkable literary fiction out there, just not so much in recent years. It’s been kinda whiny. I’m so envious of people who’ve read romance for years - I had to play a lot of catch up!
I think romance is getting bigger these days because there’s so much *more* than “contemporary” and “historical” now. Women who love to read literary fiction, who enjoyed the thin, romantic subplots within can now turn the volume to “11″ with today’s romance novels.
Romance authors nowadays (I believe because of eBooks) are more open to the weird, strange, and exciting plotlines. You no longer have to read about falling for your neighbor or the English rake. Sure, those plots are still readily available. But these days, we have the paranormal, the fantasies, the urban fantasies, historicals that go beyond England, more prevalent time travels, futuristics.
Romance is thriving because of all it’s subgenres. And also, because of the frank language. Let’s face it. Times have changed. Women don’t want the propriety anymore. We want to get down and dirty. The target audience of romance these days are the women who grew up in the 70′s, 80′s, 90′s — not that older women can’t enjoy romance either, but hear me out — so these younger women are now wanting romance that pushes the boundaries, not ones that are prim and proper.
Our peers are more sexually adventurous than our mothers were, whether or not we are in practice or just in our imagination. And that’s why I believe romance, and erotic romance, is so hot these days. Solid story-telling, readily available eBooks, and plots that aren’t afraid to blow your hair back with how hot they are.
~~Becka
Becka, while I certainly agree with most of what you’ve expressed, especially about the wonderful variety of subgenres in romance these days… which I absolutely love, and write.
However, I wouldn’t be so fast to count us ‘oldsters’ out of the sex game. Yes, I write erotic romance. My last book was rated sextreme by the publisher. No, I don’t write the ‘down and dirty’ variety of erotic romance because that’s not my core nature as an individual, and as a woman. It has more to do with personal PREFERENCE, than my age. There are plenty of oldsters who like down and dirty sex. I know, I’ve talked to them all my life.
I have nothing against that type of sexual pleasure. And, I say ‘go for it’!!! WRITE IT, READ IT, if that is what turns you on. And, yes, there are generational differences to a degree. However, I doubt, those differences are as cut and dried as you’ve expressed them here. And, as an oldster I must defend my erotic sexuality. If the younger generation actually believes they have it over us as far as sexual expression, well, think again!!!
One reason I didn’t publish until erotic romance came on the scene is because what I was writing was past the boundaries, or too hot for what was being published.
Sex is not just a young woman’s game.
Agree with you totally, Savanna. Well said.
Savanna,
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe “older” women are into steamy sex as well. The younger generation certainly did NOT invent sex! LOL I hope I didn’t offend you at all-perhaps I didn’t convey my position in the proper light.
While it’s true a hot erotic book can be written without the jargon, I believe it was the younger authors who made erotica (or hotter romance) “popular” in today’s romantic fiction. Erotica and hotter stories have always been around as long as stories have been written. But they haven’t been as accepted as they are today.
While there are certainly a fair share of older authors, I believe it was the younger authors, writing hotter eBooks, that showed the industry they don’t have to be afraid of hotter jargon and/or situations, and thus, began a “romance revolution” as it were. Now, everyone under the sun writes hotter, even the older authors.
But 25 years ago, romances were “tame” compared to what’s out there today. And there were NO m/m stories to speak of (except for underground or fan fic probably) — and maybe that Mercedes Lackey fantasy, Magic’s Pawn.
I’m in no way saying oldsters aren’t erotic, sexual, or don’t enjoy getting down and dirty. Just from what I’ve seen from industry changes in the past seven-ish years is the rise of eBooks and the rise of erotic romance in general. And most of the authors I know who write eBooks are younger, with a few exceptions.
(“Younger” as defined 20′s, 30′s, 40′s.)
~~Becka
Just to clarify, I *do* know older, erotic eBook authors…
~~Becka
Three-four years ago, most of the writers I met were over 40. Now the age range has dropped. I’m guessing the average age range is maybe 38-40? A lot of writers who write super hot stuff are over 60. They are willing to cross boundaries I won’t cross. Maybe when I’m over 60 I’ll be as brave as they are!
Julia, that’s my current experience as far as erotic romance authors are concerned.
~~~
Now, I don’t know as much about straight erotica, because frankly it’s not my cup of tea, in that I don’t find it that ‘erotic’ personally. That’s the thing, Becka, we are all different in what does it for us erotically.
Granted, I don’t care for some of the so-called down and dirty terminology. And certainly, part of that is generational. However, it’s also because of my personal likes and dislikes. A crude example follows. Some women like a man blowing in their ear, or sticking their tongue deep inside their ear canal. I HATE IT!!! There is never anything that will change that. Unless it’s some method of nasty mind control.
Certainly, younger women writing erotic/romance ebooks did help bring in, and spearhead, the current subgenres. And they certainly have helped to open up the prevailing and expanding market. However, if you haven’t done so, I challenge you to read Bernice Small’s recent article in the Romance Writer’s Report. Ms. Small is a virtual legend as a romance author, and she’s still going strong. She also wrote hot *off the charts sex* before that level of hot was on the romance novel map.
If you are merely referring to the fact that a certain terminology came into vogue. Yeah, I might give you that one. However, in my book, terminology by itself DOES NOT equal a hot sex scene. Any writer can use those particular words, and have their characters perform a particular sex act/sex acts. So what?!
It’s how the heroines and heroes [however they are paired up, or menaged up] relate to each other that I truly care about. Does their eroticism with each other bring them closer, does it expand their ability to enjoy the art and pleasures of sex? Does it impact them at such a deep level their whole world soars to new levels of feeling, understanding and emotion…heart and soul, mind and spirit. SEX! LIFE! LOVE!
In my third erotic romance novella, Tangerine Carnal Dreams, the heroine doesn’t want to be just f*cked good and hard. It’s an empty of expression of sex to her. She wants the real intensity of passion, itself. Not a guy with a talented, long-endurance ‘member’ banging into an orifice.
That said, nothing wrong with characters who *enjoy* and *want* what my heroine does not. That’s why I say… ultimately, it all comes done to personal preference.
Savanna - passionate! Yes, it does come down to personal preference. The way I see it, the older authors paved the way for the 20-somethings to get into the genre. Look at my favorite standby (straight romance) - Linda Howard. She’s in her sixties. Desiree Holt is - well, she probably doesn’t want her age mentioned but she’s over 70. She writes way hotter than me. I think one of the reasons is that feminism gave us permission to express our sexuality - even on the printed page. Younger women didn’t live through those times, but they reap the benefits. They can be a mother/homemaker and still feel liberated. It was so very different for my mother’s generation.
Julia, good analysis. Right on…
Linda Howard is a beloved romance author, my sister being one of her big fans, especially. And, Desiree Holt does write super hot!!!