A conversation on one of my online author lists last week has stayed with me. A member wrote in, commenting on an article that referred to romance novels as “guilty pleasures and bodice rippers” and a number of others wrote back in defense of the genre, with, of course, their own stories on insults hurled and offensive comments made about romances in general. What’s stuck in my head is how defensive everyone is. Personally, I’ve had it with feeling a need to apologize for what I love to read AND write.
First of all, reading romances, for me at least, is a guilty pleasure, but certainly not because of the content. It’s because when I’m reading, when I’m lost in that wonderful world another author has created, I should probably be writing my own world—but that book in my TBR pile has called to me louder than the work in progress.
As far as the bodice ripper description? That label got hung on the genre when the covers depicted exactly that—some overbearing alpha male ripping the bodice of the heroine’s dress, and we, as readers, didn’t let that stop us. We devoured every one of those books with pure delight, but times change. Covers change, stories change, but the label lives on. Instead of taking it as an insult, we should learn to appreciate the fact the genre we love is so much a part of the American lexicon. Of course, that doesn’t excuse the folks who, when they learn what you write, think nothing of referring to your work as smut or women’s porn.
My answer to that? “Really? I thought they were just terrific stories about love and life with a guaranteed happy ending.” Face it...in today’s world, it’s hard to disagree with anything that promises a happy ending! I quit apologizing a long time ago for what I write and love to read. It’s especially important now, because I’ve moved on into a genre that is edgy and sexy, stories that skirt—and often cross way over—the comfort zone for a lot of people.
I’m proud of the fact I write erotic romance and I don't hesitate to say so. When the eyebrows go up, as they inevitably do, I take the topic and run with it. It’s not easy to get published in this huge and horribly competitive market, and I’m not about to let anyone try and take my sense of accomplishment away from me. Another thing to remember—romance drives the publishing world. Our books sell! Do not try to intimidate the 600 pound gorilla...
Of course, it means you need to have your “stock replies” available for the snide put downs! My favorite is, “Oh, you write those smutty books for women.” We’ve all heart that one, right? My response? “Yeah, but it’s verygood smut—and it sells real well.” That always turns the conversation in my direction. It’s hard to insult someone who loves their work!
Hi, I'm Kate Pearce and this is my first post on the Aphrodisia authors blog. I don't think I'm even on the sidebar yet! Not only is this my first post, but I'm also anticipating the publication of my first Aphrodisia title next February,"Simply Sexual" an erotic Regency romance. I don't even have a cover to show you yet, but as soon as I do, you'll be seeing it!
To be honest, I'm still a little overwhelmed by the fabulous authors who already write for Aphrodisia. The first book I read from the line was Kate Douglas' "Wolf Tales I." After I picked my jaw off the floor, I emailed Kate to tell her how fantastic her book was, little dreaming that one day, a year later, I'd be emailing her to tell her that I was going to be an Aphrodisia author too!
Everyone has been very welcoming and I know that as soon as I see that first cover, I'll really believe its going to happen. I understand that I'm not alone and that this happens a lot for new authors, so I suppose I'll eventually get over my awe and sense of being an impostor :)
I'll finish with a bit about me. I'm originally from the UK. I moved to the San Francisco Bay area with my husband and 3 boys in 1998 where a 6 year wait for our green cards (and the birth of my daughter) gave me the opportunity to stay at home, learn about American culture (it took me 2 years to work out that you could put outgoing mail into your mailbox as well as collect it) and finally write a romance novel.
It would be lovely to say I sold that one straight off and went on to instant fame and fortune but sadly it was not to be. I gave myself a 5 year deadline to get published and accomplished my goal in the eleventh month of the fifth year after 40/50 rejections and 5 manuscripts. I sold an erotic Regency to Ellora's Cave and realized I loved writing really sexy edgy stories. Since then, I've sold more to EC and 2 contemporary erotic romance novels to Virgin 'Cheek'.
I'm still waiting for the fame and fortune but I'm not complaining...Three publishers keep me busy and I love my job so much I can't imagine doing anything else! My Aphrodisia books center on two very interesting Regency rakes who spent several years of their young lives as slaves in a Turkish brothel, (and not in a good Princess and harem kind of way). The books explore the impact on their sexuality and their choices after they return to England-and of course feature the women, and men, who complete and redeem them.
I'm looking forward to contributing to this blog and hearing about other readers reactions to the amazing variety of books the Aphrodisia authors write. Off for a nice cup of tea now! (something I failed to find at RWA this year)
