You can’t mistake a romance novel, with its richly illustrated cover – usually depicting a beautiful woman and a handsome man in some type of embrace – and a title that promises passion inside the covers – Dead on the Dance Floor… Dangerous Affair… Learning Curves… Eye of a Hunter… Kiss and Make Up. But there’s more to romance novels than romance; they’re a source of entertainment, comfort, even spiritual inspiration. And they’re a big part of the global publishing industry, as was easy to see at the 25th annual Romance Writers of America conference last month.
Some 2000 mostly female readers and writers of romance novels met in Reno, Nevada, to learn the ins and outs of publishing, to meet and mingle, and to hone their craft in writing workshops.
While some took their chances on slot machines at the hotel casino where the conference was held, others spent their time focused on the more certain – and happy – outcome of romance novels. . The genre does not garner as much respect as other forms of literature… in fact, critics call it pure escapism. But Jessica Jiji, a romance novelist – and news writer for the United Nations – asks, what’s wrong with that? “Sometimes I think we feel like we have to grapple with the heavy philosophical subjects of our day, but it’s OK to indulge yourself a little in some sort of escape. I work at the United Nations. I deal with a lot of body counts. I write about AIDS, refugees, wars. I mean the worst blights on the planet. When I got home I really didn’t want to read an analysis of the genocide in Rwanda; I wanted to read Cosmo. I think it keeps me sane,” she admits.
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Although it cops a bit of flack in literary circles, romance writing is still number one when it comes to sales.
In the United States, romance books account for nearly 50% of all paperback sales, and some of that is flowing back to New Zealand, where romance writing and reading is flourishing.
New Zealand romance author Susan Napier makes a living out of romance - she has had more than 30 books published and translated into 20 languages.
"Mills and Boon always warns beginner writers not to give up their day jobs, and then they warn writers after a few years not to
Eileen has written several romances, five of which have found their way to the library shelves courtesy of F A Thorpe (Leicester) in their Linford Romance Series. However in April last year Eileen self-published her first three novels in one “Omnibus Edition”. It was a brave move to become a publisher as well as an author, but despite minor obstacles the finished book is superbly produced and selling well.
“Omnibus Edition” contains three stories – “The Astor Inheritance”,
“Mistress at the Hall”, and “All for Jolie”, and sells for £11.99. To buy
“Omnibus Edition” log on to Eileen’s web site,
The Books by the River Series: Where Florida Literature Meets Florida History continues with Davie writer Cynthia Thomason discussing her showboat mystery series at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the New River Inn, Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum, 231 SW Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Thomason has published nine historical and contemporary romances and also is the author of a historical mystery series that takes place on the Mississippi River. She has received the National Readers' Choice Award, nominations for a Romantic Times' Choice Award and the Golden Quill. Her Web site is www.cynthiathomason.com.
The Florida Center for the Book concludes
MY romance with the Irish people, and the English language, culture and education began when I was six years old. I remember very well when my illiterate father handed me over to one of the Irish nuns. Though he could not speak a word of English, somehow the nun understood him.
She took my small hand and led me off to class. My heart was thumping so loudly I imagined it was going to jump out of my throat. I was terrified that I wouldn't see my mother ever again.
But I did not cry. It was much later when
U.S. workers spend more time on the job these days than ever. And with nearly 20 percent more single people in the workplace now than 10 years ago, many people are starting to turn their frown on office romance upside-down.
Still, there are rules to follow, so if you are thinking about beginning a relationship with someone at work, keep these in mind:
Dating your subordinate or your boss is never a wise idea. Not only could you possibly involve yourself in a sexual-harassment suit, but you can also sabotage your career. Romancing your boss most often looks like you're just trying