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Romance is alive and kicking: what US editors are buying

October 7, 2011

Any excuse to use a picture of enduring love!

You may have seen reports in the UK press last month about the decline in sales of women’s fiction, and specifically chick lit. Actually, most genres of paperback sales are suffering in most markets – but some commentators used the stats as another excuse to bash women’s fiction.

So I was delighted to read this encouraging piece in RT Book Reviews, one of the most respected and influential literary publications in the USA.

The article reports on the US Publishers Marketplace look at the state of dealmaking. This is an overview of what books publishers are buying and how much these deals are worth from 2007-2011.

The figures make fascinating reading.

I know you’re busy but if you’re an author, agent or avid reader, you’re sure to find it enlightening.

One of the most interesting stats is that in the US, romance and women’s fiction is alive and kicking exuberantly. Categories including debut novels and general fiction have held steady. Romance, womenโ€™s fiction, science fiction and fantasy have had a slight decline. That’s a ‘slight decline’, not a bloody great landslide into oblivion. Plus there have been good deals for authors.

I’ve been feeling a bit demoralised lately, what with the news on the economy and the barrage of doom mongers eager to hammer the last nail in the coffin of my genre. Yes, things are tough for authors and publishing – tougher than ever – but we’re certainly not all dooo-omed!


Posted by Phillipa @ 4:08 am | Leave a Comment

Comments



  1. Judy Says:

    Well said Phillipa and very good to hear.
    Judy


  2. Rachel Lyndhurst Says:

    No we’re not!!! Keep writing!
    XX


  3. Diane McIlmoyle Says:

    I’ve spread this one about a bit as I’ve been hearing a lot of distressed rumblings from writers of women’s reads recently.

    It’s good to have someone like you, with your other interest, looking at stats and trends as you’ll be able to present a synopsis with assurance, as you have here. And you know for a fact that ideas just get re-modelled and re-packaged for a new decade, and we’re likely just in the middle of one of those re-models. Women aren’t going to stop reading.

    So chin up, chuck ๐Ÿ™‚


  4. Sally Clements Says:

    Excellent sleuthing, Phillipa (scribbles madly on wip)


  5. Phillipa Says:

    It’s great to find some positive news and thank you, Diane, for spreading the word. ๐Ÿ™‚


  6. Liz Fenwick Says:

    Thanks for the link…off to read it now!

    lx


  7. Debs Says:

    Hear, hear, Phillipa. Jolly well said.

    It’s good to have some good news about romance novels for a change.

    Lurrve that picture too, thanks!


  8. Phillipa Says:

    Liz – it makes heartening reading and @debs – any excuse!

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