Thanks for letting me guestblog, Vicky!
I was thinking about your recent post about paranormal romance not selling well in your town. I’m sure there are pockets of resistance, but romance is still a best seller in most bookstores.
According to Romance Writers of America, the romance genre generated $1.375 billion in sales in 2007, claiming the largest share of the fiction sales market. Even in this weird post-WallStreetApocalypse economy, romance accounts for a huge percentage of all paperback books sold. And for that, we must thank the devoted, loyal romance readership!
However, romance is more popular in some parts of the country than others. The South rises again with 29% of the population as romance readers, followed by 27% in the western states and 26% in the highly literate Midwest (my native region!) In contrast, in the northeast, where I currently hang my hat, only 12.9% of the reading public will admit to having a taste for romance. (Clearly, my work is not done here!)
But we’re busily winning over readers one heart at a time. In a world of uncertainty, where heroes are scarce, why wouldn’t we want the promise of “happily ever after” in our escapist fiction?
I enjoy paranormals, but my personal favorite subgenre is historical. My newest release, Vexing the Viscount, is set in Georgian England. 1731 to be exact. If you’ve seen the movie THE DUCHESS, you have an idea about the ornate costumes, the wigs, and the extreme courtly manners of the period. If you’d like to know more, please visit my Courtesan’s Club at http://www.emilybryan.com/Viscount%20Intro.htm. Detra Fitch of The Huntress Reviews calls Vexing the Viscount a “wickedly fun read.”
Thanks for letting me stop by, Vicky! I’m tickled to be able to give away a copy of Vexing the Viscount to one lucky commenter. Just post a comment or question to enter the drawing and check back tomorrow. I’ll post the winner in the comment section. Good luck!
Emily
33 comments:
I had no idea romance is most popular in the southern and western states. Besides the Georgian period, what is your favorite historical period for romance?
Well, I live in the Northeast and no one has ever asked me what I read so I think the numbers are higher.
Hi Emily,
Just found out about your 50 days of blog travels this AM in your newsletter. I am a big fan of the historical genre and the Regency period, in particular but I don't limit my reading to that one time period. I love your books and can't wait to get my hands on your new book.
Jane--I don't have a favorite, but I really love unusual time periods and settings. I cut my teeth on MM Kaye's FAR PAVILLIONS, set in British India. And my first books, written as Diana Groe, were set in the Dark Ages in Scandinavia, Ireland and Byzantium of all places. I'd read a good love story if it were set in outer Mongolia (which I think my friend Zoe Archer is planning to do!)
Maureen, I think the numbers are higher in the NE too, but remember they can only count what people will ADMIT to. For some reason, romance still carries a cheesy taint among those who haven't read one recently.
Hey Karen (I used to live in NC, so I can say Hey and Y'all!)Sorry the newsletter went out a little late. We had a little technical difficulty with Bravenet. Glad to know it actually went this time. Thanks for your kind words! :)
I have been a fan of Historicals and the Regency period for years. I believe more people read romance novels but don't admit to it.
Hi Emily,
Congrats on being a cancer survivor. I am as well. Breast cancer in '98. Pretty soon I'll be having a needle biopsy done on a cyst on my thyroid and I'm praying it's benign.
I'd love to win a copy of "Vexing the Viscount". I absolutely love Historicals! I'd like to write one and it just so happens I have a pirate in my ancestry whom I'd like to write about.
I enjoy reading about the Regency, Georgian, and Victorian periods. I agree. The costumes, wigs, etc. are fabulous!
I came into paranormals a bit late but I'm really into them now. That and horror. I'm reading some great books and it takes my mind off other things. Happy New Year!
Mel K.
Meljprincess AT aol DOT com
Hello. Your strength in dealing with the cancer amazes me. I wish you best of health of success with everything you have to endure. Love the book and really hope I win a copy. Great contest thank you so much for your generosity
Looking forward to your latest release, I enjoy Historicals!
I'm a paranormal romance lover but one of my exceptions is any book by Emily Bryan or Diana Groe. I love your books and just wanted to let you know that i'm still reading them.
This was a very interesting blog, thanks! Emily! I love the Historicals
hugs
Penney
I didn't know that the South had the most romance readers. Interesting statistics.
Like you, I am a big fan of historicals.
I like your mention of the costumes. But I wonder really how comfortable they were to wear!
Joan, I'm sure you're right. Reading romance is like eating too much chocolate--a guilty pleasure that is even sweeter if no one finds out about it.
Mel, Congrats on your survivor status and I'll be praying for a good outcome from your biopsy. If all us Cancer Beaters turned purple tomorrow, there would be lots of purple people.
Sarabelle, I have an incredibly supportive husband and family, a cute surgeon and a loving God. How can I be less than upbeat? Cancer is not the death sentence it used to be. I remember boohooing through LoveStory. Now we regularly knock cancer in the creek. If we catch it in time. Please, ladies, don't ignore symptoms or miss screenings.
Glad to meet more historical fans, Tetewa, Penney, and Crystal. Tory, you made my day. Thanks for the kind words.
LuAnn, you might be interested in my Courtesan Closet It's a closer look at those Georgian fashions. Probably more than you want to know about 18th century undergarments.
Enjoyed dthe commentws. I have adde his vook to my TBR list for this year
Joy
JWIsley AT aol.com
I did think that romance would be the most popular to read because more women read then men and most women love romance. I do read some paranormal but historical is my favorite and then romantic suspense. So bring on those historicals.
Ugh! I think I'll stick with my sweatpants and tank top!
Thanks, Joy. Vexing the Viscount should be in stores February 24th.
Virginia, romance was the top genre seller last year, edging out inspirationals (the year before inspirationals had topped romance)And more women do read than men.
LOL, LuAnn! You must have spent some time on my website taking a peek into the Courtesan's Closet! Corsets and panniers and garters, oh my!
Yes, I did! I am SO glad I live in these modern times. I love to read historical fiction and non-fiction, but I certainly wouldn't want to live then. We have things so much better these days!
Hi Emily,
greetings from a cold Finland! I love historicals, all time periods and settings and your book is on my wishlist!
First Emily congrats! On a clean bill of health, I am sure you feel blessed to start the new year out with such good news!
I decided it is the year to try my wings at writing! I to love historicals and am excited about my new adveture! I think you are a great role model for aspiring writers in historical genre! THANK YOU!!
I have a feeling romance is popular all over and some people just don't know it.
Can't wait to see more of your work!
First time to know about these romance statistics, I find it very interesting.
Eva--I have always been fascinated with your part of the world. My DH and I love to go on cruises and someday, we hope to do a northern European one. There are a couple out of Copenhagen that look wonderful and have ports of call in your country.
Jane--Thanks for your well wishes. You might want to drop by my website and check out my Write Stuff. I have several linked pages dedicated to aspiring writers--practical ideas about choosing which story lines to pursue, how to self-edit, submitting your work, etc.
Jen--How nice to see a friendly face! Thanks for commenting. And I agree. As long as there is love in the world, romance will be popular everywhere.
Mona--I pulled these stats from the RWA National website. They do so much to promote the genre. I'm proud to be affiliated with them
I live in the Midwest -- I love historicals and Regencies.
Hi Emily! Very interesting statistics about the popularity of romance in the US. I love reading historicals and can't wait to read your latest release!
I'm from the Northeast and can't wait to read VEXING THE VISCOUNT. I loved the other 2 books and DRAGON CAERN CHRISTMAS.
Sue
I never thought about this. I'm not sure how it breaks up here in Canada.
Hi Emily! I'm a huge fan of historicals! I would absolutely LOVE to win a copy of Vexing the Viscount! Thank you for the great giveaway!
I just read your email about the blog tour so I am checking it out and hope to participate the rest of the tour. I love your comments. My favorite genre is historical romance in any time period. Romance seems to sell very good in my area. I love Emily's stories and her contests are always unique..
Very interesting. I had no idea that reading tastes can vary that much by area.
I'm from the Midwest and love historicals (paranormals and romantic suspense, too.) I read mainly British historicals, but like variety, too. Looking forward to Feb. 24!
Danielle, Deborah, Susan, Sue S, Margie, Phyllis, Donnas, Cynthia and EVERYBODY--Thanks so much for commenting here. My DH has drawn our winner and it's (Ta-ta-ta-da!) LUANN! Please email me through my website with your snail mail info and I'll send out your VEXING THE VISCOUNT!
Join me today (Jan 6th) at
Pillow Talk Tuesday. I talk trash about the Muse and dish the dirt from my heroine Daisy Drake's diary.
Another day--another chance to win. Be sure to drop by and leave a comment or question so you can be entered in the daily drawing for a FREE copy of Vexing the Viscount
Good luck!
Thanks again, Vicky for letting me visit with your readers!
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