History of the Genre
Jane Austen (Regencies—picked up by Georgette Heyer in the 1920s & 30s, first historical romances)
Banned erotic novels (Henry Miller, Marquis Du Sade, Lady Chatterly’s Lover
The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodwiss (1972)
first modern romance novel—original paperback, distributed in drugstores & grocery stores
“Bodice Rippers” of the 70s & 80s—now considered offensive/derogatory term, depicted forced/abusive sex
Romance Literature Statistics—RWA Market Research Study
· Romance fiction generated $1.37 billion in sales in 2008. 1 in 4 books sold is a romance (Time, 9/21/09 ).
· 7,311 new romance titles were released in 2008.
· In 2008, romance was the top performing category on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly best-seller lists.
· Romance fiction sales are estimated at $1.36 billion for 2009.
· 74.8 million people read at least one romance novel in 2008. (source: RWA Reader Survey)
· Romance fiction was the largest share of the consumer market in 2008 at 13.5 percent.
· Romance Market Share Compared to Other Genres
o Romance fiction: $1.37 billion in estimated revenue for 2008
o Religion/inspirational: $800 million
o Mystery: $668 million
o Science fiction/fantasy: $551 million
o Classic literary fiction: $446 million
Definition (From RWA Website):
A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around two individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the main focus of the novel.
An Emotionally-Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.
Romance novels may have any tone or style, be set in any place or time, and have varying levels of sensuality—ranging from sweet to extremely hot. These settings and distinctions of plot create specific subgenres within romance fiction.
Romance Novel Formats
· Series or "category" romances: books issued under a common imprint/series name that are usually numbered sequentially and released at regular intervals, usually monthly, with the same number of releases each time. These books are most commonly published by Harlequin/Silhouette.
· Single-title romances: longer romances released individually and not as part of a numbered series. Single-title romances may be released in hard cover, trade paperback, or mass-market paperback sizes.
Library Treatment
Paperback Romance section (mass markets)
Paperback editions go out of print quickly
Hardcover & trade paperbacks interfiled
In line for a future large breakout collection—don’t know what that will look like
Awards
Romance Writers of America RITA Awards—recognizes outstanding published novels & novellas in 12 categories
Resources
Amazon.com Romance page
www.eharlequin.com (book lists, occasional free pdfs)
www.rwanational.org (Romance Writers of America)
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Readers
People turn to escapist reading in hard economic times (just like they turn to chocolate and pantyhose)
Comfort reading—guaranteed happy ending
Upbeat, simple, easy to follow
Readers are mostly women
More issue-driven books (reflecting womens’ changing roles, more single mothers, etc.)
Description/Categories
Many authors write in different subgenres
In addition to ARRT Workbook categories:
“Novels with strong romantic elements”
Plot goes beyond typical romance boundaries—Danielle Steel, Jackie Collins, Barbara Taylor Bradford
Category Romances (Paperback romance)
originally based on Romance Writers Pink Pages (1993)—now obsolete
Gave page counts & word counts; precise descriptions for what they would publish
Harlequin: 30 imprints
guidelines for writing in each of their imprints are on their website
Inspirational Romance: Religious or spiritual beliefs are a major part of the romantic relationship
Francine Rivers
Terri Blackstock
Karen Kingsbury
Beverly Lewis—Amish
Publishers: Bethany House, Zondervan, Tyndale House, Steeple Hill
Title: Simply Unforgettable
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Balogh, Mary
Brief Summary: A teacher shares a snowed-in night of passion with a viscount. They're meant to be together, but can she leave her school and reveal the secrets of her past?
Thoughts on Appeal: First in a series centered around Miss Martin's School for Girls. Enjoyable romantic story and regency setting. Don't like spicy? Skip Chapter 5!
Who I Would Recommend This To: Fans of regency romance, Balogh is a master.
Title: Blue Dahlia
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Roberts, Nora
Brief Summary: Young widow moves her kids to Memphis for a job at a landscaping business; sparks fly with landscaping designer. First in a trilogy- 2 other female characters are introduced.
Thoughts on Appeal: Gardening/landscaping frame, ghost story thread, and engaging writing kept it interesting and leaves readers wanting to read the next volume.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Romance readers; non-literary crossover appeal for lives and relationships readers; series readers.
Title: Redeeming Love
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Rivers, Francine
Brief Summary: Retelling of Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer. "Good guy" believes he can rescue "fallen Woman" and help her see God's love.
Thoughts on Appeal: 2 editions; earlier has much saltier language, later emphasizes redemption more.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Readers of Christian fiction, but NOT gentle reads.
Title: Fatal Tide
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Johansen, Iris
Brief Summary: Combined plots of a deep sea search for a lost civilization, and a search for an ancient weapon with potential for destruction thread throughout. Melis Nemid is the key to it all and a dolphin researcher to boot.
Thoughts on Appeal: Fast moving, sometimes uneven pace continues to engage reader. Subplot of pedophilia seems unnecessary, but does create intrigue.
Who I Would Recommend This To: More suspense than romance. Perfect for a long airplane ride. no in-depth character development.
Title: Bet Me
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Crusie, Jennifer
Brief Summary: Overweight Min has just been dumped by her boyfriend when she overhears her ex betting a hottie he can't bed her in a month. star-crossed hijinks ensue.
Thoughts on Appeal: Flat Characters, fast read. Likable heroine, occasionally amusing writing. too many plot contrivances, uber-perfect hero, weird dialogue.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Chick lit. fans, Sandra Bullock / Reese Witherspoon movie fans, Jan Weiner fans who don't mind a lack of realism
Title: Pleasure for Pleasure
ReplyDeleteAuthor: James, Eloisa
Brief Summary: After being called fat at her debut ball, Josephine decides to throw convention to the wind and do things her way.
Thoughts on Appeal: Not bad. The author took a pretty conventional plot and added some spice to it. Wasn't great , but a quick and interesting read.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Patrons who are interested in regency romances with a twist.
Title: Blood Brothers
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Roberts, Nora
Brief Summary: A small town curse is unleashed by 3 10-year-old boys. They return as adults to see if they can rectify the issue
Thoughts on Appeal: Turned out to be more of a suspense/supernatural than romance, although there are some spicy scenes. Good character development and overall actually not bad writing either.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Those who enjoy series, quality characters, and solid stories.
Title: Star of the Morning
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Knurland, Lynn
Brief Summary: King Adhemar's reign is in danger as his magic mysteriously disappears. The fate of the kingdom rests on Morgan, orphan and shield maiden,, to wield the Sword of Angesand to defeat the dark mage Lothar.
Thoughts on Appeal: A light romance, the first of a trilogy. Has the usual fantasy elements; magic, magicians, and mysterious orphans with magical powers. The romance is slow to start, but is strong in the second half of the book.
Who I Would Recommend This To: People who love romance first and then fantasy.
Title: Dream Lover
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Henley, Virginia
Brief Summary: Sean O'Toole escapes from prison after spending 5 years in it because he was accused of killing his brother. He takes revenge on William Montague, an Englishman, by abducting his daughter Emerald. Eventually, he falls in love with his enemy's daughter.
Thoughts on Appeal: This is a fast-paced and character driven historical romance. There is revenge, forced sex and a lot of political history.
Who I Would Recommend This To: People who are interested in historical romance.
Title: Blood from a Stone
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Leon, Donna
Brief Summary: Guido Brunetti (serious, conscientious family man), Venetian police commissario, becomes involved with the illegal African immigrant underworld as he investigates one of their deaths.
Thoughts on Appeal: Everyday view of contemporary venice and life there- the values, the pace, etc.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Anyone who likes detective stories.
Title: Snowdrops & Scandalbroth
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Barbara Metzger
Brief Summary: Regency historical romance. "Poor girl" really well connected. Playboy -seeming guy really?
General Thoughts: Good historical setting.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Would qualify as a gentle read.
Title: Lord of Scoundrels
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Loretta Chase
Brief Summary: The love of a good (and I mean really good) woman can change the life of even the most heinous of scoundrels. Lust!
General Thoughts: Not poorly written, but cardboard characters and predictable plot ... none the less I finished it.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Romance lovers! Regency readers.