Happy Endings, Love, and E-Books

By Lydia Hirt - Jun 16 , 2009

Searching for a happy ending? Don’t waste your time (and morality) at an establishment of ill repute. Take a gander at your bookshelf.

Skip the mysteries. Look past the drama. Don’t even pause at comedy. Let your finger trail until you hit a romance: As in shirtless men, inevitable clichés, and a love at least one character can never live without . At a time when businesses and 401ks are failing, the thousands of romance titles published yearly can be depended upon to offer escapism on budget prices.

I, too, was skeptical of the genre, as I’d imagined the typical “romance reader” to look quite a bit like Barbie falling into the plastic arms of her awaiting Ken. That is, until I spotted a book of said genre on the nightstand of my sister-in-law. Suddenly all my preconceptions wilted; she is no floozy like the readers I’d imagined but an Aerospace Engineer at NASA. When I balked, she admitted to reading them because she knows there will be a happy ending. Unlike taking risks in your own life, romance novels succeed due to their simplicity; Harlequin reported an increase in fourth quarter earnings up 32% from the same time last year. Could the looming capital “R” start indicating Romance instead of Recession?

At this point, I decided to embark upon a journey of discovery: What makes romances so successful? How do their authors feel about their occasionally dubious genre? And what does the future hold?

Mary Lou George is the successful author of the Paranormal Romance series, New Crescent.” Offering more than just love, she mixes in some magic with a touch of the improbable. Her current titles, along with her upcoming series on vampires, center on the power of the female characters. Her heroines are independent women who accept when a man comes into their lives, but don’t seek one out. George is steadfast in her belief that the romance genre has evolved to reflect the strength of females and gives women hope, endurance, and confidence in themselves.

Some romance authors have a surprisingly practical side, as with Roscoe James. A rare male author in a female dominated world, James created his niche in erotic romance, partly because it’s the most sold genre in the e-book realm, but he admits, “On a personal note (evil grin), I like it. There is no more challenging genre. Romance is timeless and plumbs the depths of mankind’s most intimate place: The heart.”

James has six e-book titles, including The White Swan and the soon to be released Orion. He’s found his voice in a competitive industry. His work is especially difficult; some publishing houses won’t accept mainstream or erotic romance from male authors, assuming they don’t appeal to the expectations of the female reader. James believes writing from the heroine’s voice and his unique perspective are what keep his readers engaged and wanting more.

An avid reader herself, author Marilyn Brant is an advocate of books having “medicinal” qualities. Not that she suggests the written word for serious ailments, but she does trust their ability to cast sunlight on a cloudy day. She finds the strong heroines in modern romances to be refreshing; not meek wallflowers waiting to be asked to dance. Brant continues to celebrate the confident female protagonist in her Light Contemporary Women’s Fiction debut novel According to Jane, coming to bookstores this October (or available pre-sale on Amazon.com).

Interestingly, romance is the most stable genre in publishing and leads the industry in paperback sales, even though readers may hide the hokey covers while reading in public. Each author I spoke with has immeasurable respect for the genre and believes romance has enduring qualities that will withstand the test of time and adaptations in technology. As my good friend and talented writer/editor Shawn Gauthier says, “Romance is an escape; we enjoy getting lost in the steaminess, remembering the feeling of sneaking away to your mother’s closet to read something off limits.”

The only thing certain about the future of books is that change is imminent. From Espresso Book Machines offering print on demand to the tech-savvy Kindle, the current publishing business model is undergoing a transformation, with romance leading the trend. Harlequin publishes 140 e-books each month; a higher number than in print and well ahead of the rest of the fiction category. James’ erotic fiction is only available as e-books, and George’s series is available for the Kindle in addition to paperback.

Personally, I prefer the classic book, but from a business stance, it makes sense: E-books are less out of pocket cost for publishers, meaning less risk, and actually give authors a higher percentage back. George sees potential for books to someday become high quality pieces viewed as works of art. I align with Brant, who understands the benefits of e-books but would miss the tangible qualities associated with print.

Technology aside; the stories of romance are bound to retain the same sigh-inducing qualities. Next time your day is on the downside, try reaching for a romance (print or e-book, your choice!) instead of that box of chocolates. I promise a happy ending without compromising your skinny jeans.