When I opened Greyhaus Literary Agency in 2003, I focused entirely on romance and women's fiction. People thought I was crazy. Why wasn't I going to represent all of these other genres. The answer was simple. I believe in these, and more specifically, I believe in the romance genre.
Now I get it, this is not the highest paying of all those genres out there, but it is consistent and it has a huge following. Honestly, if you look around you in large gatherings where people can be on their phones or reading books, look at the book readers. Most are reading some sort of romance or women's fiction novel. Consider the fact that in 2023 there was close to 40 million printed copies of romance novels sold. That is well over the 18 million sold in 2020. This genre alone generated over $1.44 billion in revenue.
Not bad for what people who once called these "bodice rippers."
But these are far from that stereotype. The thing that made the romance novel successful in the past, successful now, and certainly successful in the future is the fact it is about people. It is about bringing people together. It is about the human condition.
For so many, the world today is not a pretty place. People struggle paying bills, issues at work, crisis in the world, politics, religion... OK, simply turning on the television. According to one Gallup News Poll in 2023, at least 29% of Americans report having been diagnosed with depression. Note that this number is only those who have reported and those who have been "diagnosed."
And it is romance that helps so many simply get through the day. Knowing that HEA (Happily Ever After) is going to be there keeps our hopes alive.
What is more exciting are the number of younger readers now diving into the romance genre. In 2023, 44% of the reading population was below the age of 40. This younger group, thanks to the Romantasy genre, had a huge impact. According to Circan, a market researcher, sales increased by 42% with authors like Sarah J. Maas selling over 40 million copies worldwide.
But for me, it is a lot more than just the numbers. If you attend writing conferences, you will see the enthusiasm. I go to general writing conference with people in everything including poetry, non-fiction, memoirs, "literary fiction" (they love throwing that one around), and some romance, the tone is always very serious. They talk about "the craft of writing" and "strategies for sales." It is all about the numbers.
BUT... when you attend a conference with romance writers, the tone is over-the-top positive. They talk about their characters as real people. They talk about how much they loved that scene when the couple kissed in the rain. They talk about the future of their characters even after the HEA and they close the book. These readers are passionate.
And these authors are women.
In February of 2023, 83% of romance novels were written by women.
And this is what I love about this genre. Women, who for so long in history have been "dismissed" in society for various social and political reasons are the ones who truly get it. They are the one who see what is keeping humanity together. The romance genre is about the future!
For me, this is a future I am sticking with as well!
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