Romancing the Blog | Romance Authors and Readers Who Blog

The vast majority of romance writers are women. And most of those women are, for better or worse, married to men. In every romance-writing community I’ve ever stuck my nose into, I’ve found romance writers complaining about how their husbands Don’t Understand.

If you’re one of those women, this post is for you. Just print this page and tape it to your man’s shaving mirror so he can study it every morning.

Is your woman a romance writer? Congratulations! You must be an amazing man, or she wouldn’t have chosen you to share her life. No doubt you’re sensitive enough to realize that nobody’s perfect, and that as great as you are, even you could improve in a few areas and make your romance writer a happier woman. To that end, here are some tips to help you better understand and support that complex creature who owns your heart:

• If you see your romance writer staring off into space, don’t interrupt her. It may look like a good time to question her about your missing socks, but she is actually working out a story idea, and should be left alone. If you can’t find your socks without help, go buy some new ones. And while you’re out, pick up a latte from Starbucks. She’ll be busy writing when you get back, and she’ll need the java jolt if she’s to finish this chapter tonight.
• Expect your romance writer to pop out of bed in the middle of the night when she gets a story idea she must write down. No, it can’t wait until morning; by morning the idea will be gone. Get out of bed and make her some hot cocoa or a cup of tea, but do not ask your romance writer how long she thinks she’s going to be. It will take as long as it takes, and if you interrupt her train of thought, it will take even longer and she’ll be in a bad mood when she returns to your bed. You get what I’m saying, right?
• The FedEx man may be cute, but your romance writer’s sudden interest in him is due solely to the fact that she’s awaiting news of her latest contest entry. There’s no need for you to be jealous when she spends hours sitting by the window with her chin on her hand, waiting in vain for that little white truck to come down your street. Show your support by sighing deeply and saying, “You know, honey, sometimes those contests are rigged. Let’s see if a week in Maui will take our minds off this disappointment. “
• Your romance writer needs chocolate. Lots of it. Even when she is on a diet, which she invariably is. Without chocolate, she’ll never be able to finish her synopsis. And she will not thank you for gently pointing out that she is stress-eating. Of course she’s stress-eating. Have you ever tried writing a synopsis for a romance novel? No? Well, then, just SHUT UP and go get her some chocolate!
• If your name is Bill but your romance writer moans, “Oh, Jake!” after a particularly earth-moving kiss, count your blessings. You are the man giving her ideas for her next love scene. You are her inspiration! Kiss her some more!
• Sometimes your romance writer will need music, loud. And sometimes she will need absolute quiet. So before you crank up one of your favorite CD’s, ask if it’s okay. Maybe it was okay last night but not tonight. If that’s the case, do not ask her to explain why it was okay last night but not tonight. You’ll be wasting her time, trying her patience, and your Y-chromosome will prevent you from understanding the answer, anyway.
• Finally, the single best thing you can do for your romance writer is simply to be wonderful. If you are wonderful, your romance writer will thrive. And one day, your name may appear on the dedication page of a romance novel. Here’s hoping!

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a good girl this year. Honest. I met all of my deadlines (well…most), turned in great books (well…that’s a matter of opinion), and was nice to my family throughout it all.

Okay, that last one was a total lie. But, if you look at my overall year-end resume, it’s heavier on the good side. Ahem. Sorta.

So, here’s what I’m proposing: while you’re loading up my kids with toys that will sit around uselessly while the children come into my office every five minutes with a “he said/she said” crisis, perhaps you could throw in a couple goodies for me. Not out of greed, mind you, but simply for my sanity. I don’t have much of it left and would like to retain what little was left over after getting married and giving birth to two children.

Please leave me the following:

1. One guard for my office. One of those serious dudes who stand outside the Queen’s palace would be good. They don’t even have to wear the silly hats, as long as they’re adept at sorting out the fake “he stuck his tongue out at me” crises from the real “I’ve cut off my arm” crises.

2. Two editors bearing contracts. Enough work to keep me employed for a year, thereby eliminating my continual “they hate me and they’re never going to publish my drivel again” panic attacks.

3. Three agents leaping. Ideally, a film agent, an audio books agent and a foreign rights agent, all continually making new deals to expand my bank account. They don’t have to do cartwheels or anything; just have them knock on Mel Gibson’s door with a romantic comedy he can’t resist (and have that guy from “Prison Break” star as my hero. Make frequent set visits from the author a requirement of the film options).

4. Four weeks on the best-seller list. Notice, I only asked for four. No need to be a glutton here and ask for, oh, a record to break J.K. Rowling’s. I’m willing to make room for others. Note also how well number four works with number three—I’m trying to make your job easy, Clause.

5. Five golden rings. Hey, if I can’t have the contracts, I’ll take jewelry.

6. Six years of “Chocolate of the Month” club. Deliver all months at one time to save on postage. I need to replenish my rejection letter arsenal.

7. Seven talented artists. For just one year, Clause, I’d like the people on my covers to actually look like the ones I wrote about. No more balding heroines and heroes wearing black socks in the summer (unless it’s the guy from “Prison Break.” I’ll forgive black anything on him.)

8. Eight five-star reviewers. My ego is fragile, Clause, and I’m a total glutton for punishment, so, please, next time I Google my titles, have those five-star reviews ready and waiting. Otherwise, you’ll need to double the quantities in number six.

9. Nine maids to do my bidding. I’m working very hard on cultivating my inner Barbara Cartland, you know. I can’t be cooking Kraft Macaroni and Cheese while wearing a feather boa. It is, after all, a fire hazard.

10. Ten daily minutes. To be all by myself. Yes, to actually go to the bathroom without someone knocking on the door, asking how to divide fractions or complaining that their Science teacher is one of Stephen King’s unleashed monsters. If you can pull off the above miracles, surely this one will be a piece of cake.

11. Eleven pens that work. There is, I’m sure, a pen or two in my house that works. Yank them out of the kids’ backpacks while you’re here and shove them into my stocking. I’ll never tell.

12. Twelve months of money. I’d like a revolution in the publishing industry that would pay us all monthly. I can’t possibly budget on unknown royalties paid every six months. A girl needs new shoes on a regular basis, you know.

If all that won’t fit in my stocking, feel free to pile it on my desk. It’ll have plenty of piles company, trust me.

Psst…there’s extra milk and cookies in it for you. And a nice, autographed romantic comedy for Mrs. Clause. In return, I will continue to pay out ungodly sums of money every December in your honor and keep the Clause name in high regard around my house.

Have a merry one, big guy, and watch those sugarplums. One gets stuck in the wrong pipe and before you know it, we’re all singing the Christmas blues.

Love,
Shirley, that romance writer stuck in an office hovel

By Misa Ramirez

As I move through my revisions and am closer to having my agent pitch my manuscript, the first in a Latina Chick Lit Mystery series, I’ve been thinking about how I incorporated culture into my story. I believe that culture shapes us and colors the way we see the world. It is not a plot point and doesn’t define a person. Instead, it is a layer that contributes to the making of a unique character.

As an Anglo woman writing Latina Chick Lit Mysteries, I’m hyper-aware of making sure the cultural elements of my book are authentic. I’m married to a Latino, my in-laws, Mexican immigrants, live in a little house on our property, and my sisters-in-law are my go-to-gals. Because of their support and input, I know I’ve done a good job capturing the elements of the Mexican culture that are central to my character. Being been part of a dynamic Mexican-American family for the last fifteen years has given me a level of authority that, while perhaps not equal to someone who is born into the culture, is authentic.

Still, the fact that I’m not Latina, and my central character is, means that I’m a step removed from her. I see my own Mexican-American children and how they identify with both cultures. I’ve worked to incorporate that balance into my fictional characters, to write about the parts of the culture that speak to me and that I love.

When I read a book that has a nonwhite main character, I don’t necessarily want their culture to play a starring role in the book. I approached the cultural aspect of my book with that in mind. My character in Just for Kicks, a Lola P.I. Novel, is Lola. She’s a daughter, friend, part-time waitress, girlfriend, fledgling detective–and happens to be of Mexican decent. Her culture shapes her, definitely, but it works in tandem with the American culture she lives in. It’s a fine line.. I want readers to learn about my character, and in the process absorb the cultural side of her.

Lola has the same struggles that many twenty-four year old women have. She has hopes and dreams, likes and dislikes, self and family issues. She is my sisters-in-law, all rolled into one. She’s an American woman whose family is Mexican. She doesn’t need to balance her culture with her Americanism because it is balanced by the basic fact that she is assimilated into American society. That’s the kind of character I want to read about, one that is layered and unique.

I know people who won’t pick up a book that’s marketed as “ethnic”. I changed the working title of my second book from Dead Latina Walking to Dead Girl Walking for just that reason. My book and my characters are so much more than their culture and I believe they deserve a wide audience, and have a wide appeal. So what’s your take on “ethnic” fiction and culture portrayed in books and in characters? Does it turn you on or turn you off? Do you like it strong or subtle? I, for one, really want to know.

*For information on how you can submit to Open Blog Night, click here.

An unfortunate repercussion of watching Doogie Howser, M.D., was that I always wanted to write pithy little statements about my life on a computerized-diary. But now it’s almost geek-chic to have one (yeah blogs!) and I write entries and collect “friends” on my livejournal like I never went to prom and have something to prove. But I have been told that my blog borders on the completely inappropriate (and this is the “professional” one). So after thinking long and hard about my inappropriate blog – I’ve decided that I love being inappropriate, and hope that you will be too.

So here is how you too can be completely inappropriate:

Nothing is too personal… I have a rather unfortunate tendency to develop professional crushes on people within the industry. A well turned phrase? A great key note speech? A fabulous book? BAM! I’m in love. I’ve been known to discuss my professional (but oh-so imaginary) love life on my blog with abandon. Past crushes include: Daniel Lazar (agent), John Greene (Author), Liesa Abrams (editor), Barry Goldblatt (agent), Tara Weikum (editor), R.A. Nelson (author) and most recently Bob Mayer (author). Good because professional crushes are great fun (even if your clients think you are odd for going gah-gah over another agent). Bad because people have started to google themselves.

Reveal Intimate Secrets about yourself and others…One of my clients called to tell me all about an editor she met at a SCBWI conference knew my name from reading my blog, and swore she wouldn’t “have lunch with me because [she] was scared I would tell everyone what [she] ate for lunch.” – Now, I only did that the one time, to Tara Weikum (see above professional crush) and that was simply because she mocked my lunch, so I mocked hers back. But I also write snippets of conversations I have with friends and family that I find amusing… This is good because it shows the real you (in my case, the real me is an extremely dorky and is entirely too loyal to her lunch). It’s bad because editors who have lunch-envy won’t eat with you.

Sprinkle Swear Words Generously…I have three young kids and so when I get away from their delicate young ears every other word calls for a public sensor. Recently I had a blog reader say, “You don’t seem like the kind of girl who swears naturally” and I had to laugh. Ask any of my clients. Ask my mother! I swear. I also work in publishing, the industry of words, and I’ll use all of them, thank you. Good because I believe in the power that words can yield. Bad because you get admonished by anonymous blog readers.

Use Your Blog to Commit Evil Deeds…the day after one of my agent-friends was promoted to full agent, he sent me an article (about himself) that mentioned he was the number one requested agent on Publisher’s Marketplace. I, being the vindictive bitch that I am, wanted to take him down a peg. I posted a link to my PM page on my blog and was number one by night fall. I gloated. My friend wrote me an email saying I “knocked him off! But if it had to be anyone I’m glad it was you.” – but not so glad that when he went back to number one a few days later he didn’t email me right back and say, “I’m NUMBER ONE AGAIN! HAHAHAHA!” to which I quickly started to think of different ways I could use my blog to take down my agent-friend. Good because you can use your blog as a wonderful promotional tool – to publicize meaningful books and other industry professionals… bad because the dark side is so enticing.

So, while there are many instances when I wonder, “is my blog inappropriate?” they are always severely outweighed and dismissed when an author I don’t know comes up to me at a conference and says she reads my blog. My favorite was at the Rutgers One-on-One where an author said, “I love your blog. It is SO inspiring – ask my husband (she says giving a head jerk to the man standing behind her), I cried at the last entry. Twice!” I glance up at the husband who gives me a nod and an eye roll. And then look back at the author. “I just wanted to say thank you!” – Me: “Wow, that is so… sweet!”

And you know what, it was… So sweet.

I notice that romance readers, at least the ones online, seem to read widely. A book like Audrey Niffenegger’s THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE sends a ripple of excitement through the romance community. So I figured that any venue that discusses books women read is a proper forum to discuss . . .

Urban Woman’s Literature

Mainly black women twenty to forty years old read these books, but the portion of black male readers are increasing. I think the best example of urban lit is Sister Souljah’s THE COLDEST WINTER EVER and I’d recommend it to anybody to read. The book is about a woman’s journey and her trip is on inner city streets. The ending, while satisfying, is a long trek from the usual romance happily-ever-after endings.

Most urban fiction with women protagonists are cautionary tales with a basic moral theme, the raw language and grit notwithstanding. People who make bad decisions suffer because of them. People who live by the gun or drugs die by the gun or the crack pipe or forsake them and become redeemed. Imagine a Lifetime Television movie plot set in the inner city, with hoes, guns, drugs, thugs and hair weaves added for flava.

Authenticity

Does an author need a stint in the penitentiary or actual experience as a crack ho to write urban lit? I don’t think so. But being black helps. You need to have to have access to that side of town, know some people living that life and if you don’t speak the lingo, at least have an ear for it. You need to be able to spend a Saturday afternoon in a black beauty salon in the heart of the roughest inner city area and be comfortable, fit in and talk to folks. You need to be able to go to an inner city church with your cousin and after the services, relax in the church basement over fried chicken, listening to the gossip.

Vicki Stringer, author and publisher of Triple Crown Books says she succeeds because of authenticity, and her seven year stint in the federal pen is pretty darn authentic. “I have something they don’t,” Stringer says. “I know how to pick them.”

In my opinion Stringer does know what many inner-city people want to read . . . and it may not be BLING just because the author is related to a hip-hop mogul. It’s all about the story, the narrative drive translated to sympathetic characters who the reader identifies with because they understand the motivation behind the bad things they do. I suspect that a soap opera variation with black faces and a gritty urban flava is going to go over better than some Bergdorf Blonde wannabe colored brown with a weave stuck on her head.

Bestselling urban author Teri Woods knows the deal too. “I guess at the end of the day, if I do nothing else, I will always give you a great story,” she said. “You’re going to get a hell of a story f***ing with me. If my name is on it, you best believe: I’m better than the average f***ing movie.”

All-righty then.

Self-Publishing

When an author mentions her book at a gathering of readers and authors in White Writer Land and reveals that she’s self-published, she’s often summarily dismissed. “She’s not good enough for New York and she calls herself an author?” some may say, sniffing.

But self-publishing is a different phenomenon among black authors. A few years ago, a writer who wrote raw, gritty fiction featuring inner city life had little, if any, chance at publication. So these authors self-published. They sold their books on vendor tables in the inner cities. They sold them out of cars, at beauty shops, at the clubs. Titles sold in the hundreds of thousands and are still making these authors rich. These authors put a portion of their profits in other writers and started small publishing companies. These companies made money. Big money. New York finally looks up.

“Most of the time publishers are about a year behind the market, discovering these books after they become major underground bestsellers and they’ve sold 60,000 copies.–Monique Patterson, a senior editor at St. Martin’s Press, at a Publisher’s Weekly roundtable discussion. ”

Read the rest of this entry �

This is the second in a two-part reader discussion about erotic romance. Part 1 was posted yesterday.

Why do you think erotic romance is so popular? Will its popularity last?

Wendy: I think there is always a place for every type of subgenre. Now if we could only convince publishers of this, then life would be perfect.

I think erotic romance is popular because of the heroines. I know that’s why I read them! By and large, I find the heroines in erotic romances more to my tastes. Naturally there are exceptions, but they tend to be “modern” women who know what they like, aren’t afraid to ask for it, and are willing to try new things – in and out of the bedroom. I can only handle so many simpering virgins before I want to ram my head against a wall. I like heroines who are confident and comfortable with themselves. Women who don’t need the hero to validate them.

Angie: It’s interesting that you point to the heroine as what draws you, Wendy, because usually readers talk about the heros and so rarely mention the heroine, other than as an after-thought.

Nicole: I think it’s popular because it allows authors greater freedom, and not just with the sex. I think readers are looking for something new and different and this is fulfilling that need. As far as popularity…I’d like to think it’s here to stay, but I think perhaps there won’t be quite this influx that’s happening right now. Hopefully the writing will just keep getting better.

Angie: I think its popularity is two-fold. One is what I mentioned before; erotic romance publishers allow their authors to think outside the box, creating new worlds and unusual storylines readers haven’t been able to find from more traditional pubs. Second, I believe women are becoming more sexually empowered- feeling more in tune with their own needs. And as is widely discussed, women operate on a more emotional level, so seeing sexual satisfaction between individuals who are connected in some way- that is often more arousing to them than just reading Penthouse Forum, which is more about the act of sex, not the relationship.

I believe that erotic romance has carved a niche for itself in the market and now that it’s been offered to readers, they will seek it out because erotic romance offers a peek into the bedroom that other romance genres haven’t traditionally offered.

Alyssa: That’s easy—it’s different. After reading romances for more than a dozen years, I’ve read enough flowery prose to grow a good-sized garden. Erotic romance avoids a lot of that dated language and provides a welcome change. Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not saying that other romances automatically use flowery prose and tired euphemisms. But for me, discovering erotic romance was like breathing fresh air.

I feel much like Nicole—that erotic romance gave authors freedom in other ways: with unique characters, different settings, and so on. I think erotic romance will last and will continue to evolve.

What do you think of the covers?

Nicole: If it’s ebook pub covers we’re talking about…*shudder* It’s rare to find one I really like. I tend to judge books by their covers, at least as far as browsing and some of these covers are such a turn-off. I’m sure that there are perfectly good books that I’ve avoided just based on the cover.

Angie: Can I plead the fifth?

Alyssa: When I go shopping for e-books, I definitely notice how bad some of them are. I learned how much influence a book cover has when I realized that there are some covers I won’t even click on or pick up to see the descriptions. In general, I tend to really like or really hate the covers of erotic romances.

Wendy: I pretty much hate all of the ones we’re seeing today. I think there have been maybe 3 Ellora’s Cave covers that haven’t made me want to run screaming in the other direction.

I like the more tame covers, but this is where readers can enter a potential mine field. I’ll never forget the screaming on message boards after Cheek reissued Emma Holly’s Black Lace books with cartoon covers! People were really ticked off about those. Personally, I loved them – and it meant that previously hard to find book were once again readily available.

But it does mean that readers (plus librarians and booksellers!) need to better educate themselves. Buyer beware can certainly apply to books just as easily as any other consumable good! Do some research before you impulse buy a book that’s tagged “An Erotic Romance.” Or at the very least read the first few pages in the store before you take it up to the cash register!

Read the rest of this entry �

Erotic romance is a hot topic, one that has been discussed on numerous blogs and message boards. In this column, four readers of erotic romance share their views about the subgenre.

When did you start reading erotic romance?

Wendy: 2001 – when I read my first Thea Devine novel. Then in 2003 I read my very first erotica novel – Cooking Up A Storm by Emma Holly.

Nicole: I started reading them when I started reviewing. Most of the choices were erotic romances, but luckily I enjoyed the ones I read.

Alyssa: Two years ago, and I can describe the experience in two words: Shannon McKenna. I picked up a Brava anthology with McKenna’s “Touch Me” and was completely blown away by the story. The sex was hot, but I loved the fact that it was combined with strong characterization and emotional writing. And the sex was very much part of the story—the relationship was different after each love scene. I still enjoy McKenna’s books and wish she would write faster.

Angie: Some of the earliest erotic romances I remember reading are Lori Foster’s first ‘BAD BOYS’ book as well as Shannon McKenna’s first release, maybe five or six years ago. I purchased my first electronic format erotic romance two years ago.

What do you like about erotic romance?

Wendy: I like the guilty pleasure factor. Sort of why some people can’t get enough of Jackie and Joan Collins. I like my erotica and/or romantica to have that trashy soap opera quality. Granted, I like the steamier books without the trashy plots – but for me the trashier the plot the more I tend to enjoy the book.

Nicole: I enjoy the uniqueness of many of the stories. It’s as if being able to add in explicit sex scenes allows the author to experiment in other ways.

Angie: I enjoy the extra sensuality in the tone of the stories. Opening the bedroom door allows the reader a peek at all aspects of the relationship. But I also enjoy the sheer eroticism of reading about a couple who’s either in love or falling in love, exploring and getting to know each other in a rather human and honest way- through sex. And until recently, publishers of erotic romance were the only publishers willing to push the envelope in more unusual and unlikely story concepts. That is very valuable to me.

Alyssa: When it’s good, erotic romance has the things I loved about “Touch Me”—dynamic, compelling characters, realistic conflict, and hot sex.

What do you dislike about erotic romance?

Wendy: When the author fails to sell me on the “romance.” I do not think this criticism is limited to erotic romance – tender love stories with just kisses haven’t worked for me for the same reason. It’s just an easier criticism with erotic romance because the sex is amped up several levels!

I hate it when characters are all about the lust, go through the conflict, have trust issues, and then in the last 5 pages decide they’re hopelessly in love and must have 30 kids together. I need the author to SHOW me that they’re falling in love. It’s very hard to do this just by adding more sex. There needs to be some tender interludes, or private moments of understanding to make be buy into the HEA.

Nicole: After awhile, the sex gets boring and if there’s no plot other than the sex, it gets hard to finish. I also need to believe in the romance and the HEA. Hot sex does not equal love. Show me that this relationship can withstand forces outside the bedroom.

Angie: I’d agree partially with Nicole—the sex can get boring, if it’s not skillfully done. There’s something to be said for building the sexual tension and chemistry and sometimes, I want more than just raw f*cking or explicit words. Show me the emotion that drives the act.

That said, I dislike erotic romance books that seem short on plot, are poorly written and badly edited, and which seem to have sex randomly thrown in for effect, rather than to enhance the emotional and/or relationship aspects of the story.

Alyssa: I’ve read a few romances where the plot was so focused on the sex that the relationship got lost. That seems like such a weird thing to write, because it seems natural that love scenes would focus on the relationship. They need to reveal something about the character and be an integral part of the story. But that isn’t always the case.

This isn’t limited to erotic romance, but I get frustrated with stereotypes and overly dramatic description. I read one book where the hero ejaculates so much semen that I kept waiting for a description about how it covered the walls of the room.

Angie: That sounds like an ICK moment to me!

Alyssa: Well, it was a moment, that’s for sure.

Speaking of ICK moments, do you ever think “ICK!” while reading erotic romance? If so, what causes this?

Read the rest of this entry �

We here at Romancing the Blog wish you and yours the most joyous of Thanksgivings.

See you here tomorrow – we have a very special surprise in store! A readers’ roundtable on erotic romance featuring four of our reader columnists.

“So, Ms Cohen, when’s your book out?”

It’s 2.35 on Friday afternoon. My teenage pupils have no inclination to do work. They’d much rather find out about my publishing career.

Really, I should be grateful they’ve saved it till now. They usually don’t ask me about stuff like this. Since I had my website and blog banned from school, I sometimes think they even forget that I write in my spare time.

“Um,” I say. “Next year.” It’s only on the shelves for a month. Maybe they won’t catch it if I’m vague. Then again, there’s another one out the month after that. And two months after that.

Dammit, why did I think it was a good idea to be prolific?

“What’s it called?”

“Uh…well, it used to be called Dream Lover, but they changed the name.”

“Where can we buy it?”

Here is where I choose my words carefully. I teach in a Catholic girls’ school.

“It’s aimed at readers who are over eighteen. So I don’t really want to talk about where you can buy it, because that would imply I was condoning you going out and buying it, and I don’t, because you are only sixteen.”

“So does that mean it’s an ADULT book?”

These teenagers are remarkably good at fake angelic expressions while they are trying to get you to admit something juicy. They manipulate their teachers much more skilfully than I could ever manipulate words.

“It’s aimed at readers who are over eighteen,” I repeat. “So anyway, back to Northanger Abbey—”

“If we buy it, will you sign it?”

I put down my copy of Jane Austen. At sixteen I had read far more Harlequin romances than Jane Austen novels. “Well, if I signed it, that would mean I condoned you buying it. And I don’t.”

“I’m going to buy it,” declares one student.

“Me too,” says another.

“I already pre-ordered it on Amazon,” says one particularly bright spark. The other girls turn to her in frantic interest. “How’dyouorderit? Where’dyouseeit? Wow,I’mgonnadothattoo!”

Before I got published, I never dreamed I would be standing in a room of eager readers, trying to dissuade them from buying my book.

“Anyway, back to Northanger Abbey,” I say, my voice raised. “In chapter twenty-eight, Catherine—“

“When you write your books, do you try to put in all those similes and metaphors and stuff? Like you’re always teaching us about?”

“Of course. Now on page one hundred and twelve, Jane Austen—“

“I can’t wait to read your book,” says a girl in the back. “Is it like sexier than Jilly Cooper? I love Jilly Cooper.”

I have seen the dog-eared copies of Polo and Riders they pass between themselves. The spine falls open at the sex scenes. I picture my book with pages folded down. Giggled over. I did it at sixteen too. Of course I was already writing sex scenes by then.

“Do you ever write about us?” another girl asks.

“I never write about real people,” I say. “It’s all completely made up.”

“You wrote about us on your blog one time,” a girl reminds me.

I can’t really deny that. I can’t help writing about them. Although I don’t write about real people, these teenagers’ vision of life inspires me all the time.

“Hey, will you name some of your characters after us in your next book?”

“Yeah!”

“Yeah, that would be so cool! Will you?”

I look around the room. I have never seen them this excited about Jane Austen. Which is too bad. But this is good, too.

“Sure,” I say.

Five years ago Tina Engler launched a website offering her erotic romance, The Empress’ New Clothes, for sale as an ebook. This book was too much for romance readers, according to New York publishers she’d submitted the manuscript to. She disagreed. Trademarking the term Romantica, Ellora’s Cave was born and Jaid Black became a published author.

Five years later, New York has a different opinion on what romance readers want. The success of erotic romance not just from Ellora’s Cave but from epublishers such as Liquid Silver, eXstasy, Amber Quill and more, has led to equally successful ventures into print sales. Ellora’s Cave print books are now distributed by Barnes and Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks and Amazon. The number of epublishers also offering print versions of their books keeps growing. Maverick small press Red Sage offers sensual romance in the Secrets volumes and boasts an impressive list of well-known authors who launched their careers with steamy novellas in print format.

Ebooks or print books, erotic romance is a huge and growing market. Ellora’s Cave is planning their first hardcover. Red Sage has expanded the number of Secrets volumes per year and is now publishing single titles. And the big New York publishers are stepping in.

Harlequin has added Extreme Blaze to their category lineup, and is introducing Spice. Kensington is launching Aphrodisia, a line more erotic than the very successful Brava imprint. New lines, new opportunities and new voices are everywhere.

This doesn’t please everybody. The division between erotic romance authors and more traditional romance authors has created a number of spats over the last year, including last year’s Rita awards when many judges refused to read erotic entries. There are those who think these books are too much, go too far, cross a line and are no longer romance. Others are simply feeling the impact on the bottom line.

What will romance look like five years from now? Hard to say, but the genre is thriving and evolving. Whatever happens, five years from now romance will still be a powerful presence in the publishing industry, regardless of format.

What do you think the next five years in romance will bring? And what would you like to see?