“Disrespect” is spelled “r-o-m-a-n-c-e”

Written by Gwen - November 14, 2007 at 12:31 pm

kidfinger.jpgJane over at Dear Author posted some interesting numbers on her blog today.  According to her sources, net revenue from U.S. retail sources of published materials was $6.31 billion in 2006, of which romance accounted for almost 22%!  

table.jpg

The romance genre is the same size as the next three smallest combined, but do you see it being given the same attention in the media or the bookstores?  I think the New York Times Book editors wouldn't be caught dead with a romance novel review on their front page 22% of the time, or even buried somewhere in the deep, dark recesses of their pages.  Nor will you see 22% of a book store's space dedicated solely to romance!

It's a true failure on the part of the "high brow" media types and bookstores to largely ignore 30% of the fiction revenue!  Every time they do it's like they're saying, "Hey, ROMANCE FAN!  Yeah, you!  Yer ugly and yer momma dresses you funny!"  :-(

Subscribe to TGTBTU:

Written by Gwen · Filed Under Ponderings 

Comments

5 Responses to ““Disrespect” is spelled “r-o-m-a-n-c-e””

  1. katiebabs on November 14th, 2007 12:54 pm

    The New York Times can kiss my ass.
    What is considered high brow anyway? Puuulease!

  2. EC Sheedy on November 14th, 2007 2:31 pm

    A worthwhile rant, Gwen!

    This snubbing of the romance genre persists no matter what, who, where or when romance authors--most of them very professionally--fight the stereotype. But it's a testament to the power of women, that they ignore the *ignorers* and keep buying the books they want to read, isn't it?

  3. The Good, The Bad and The Unread » Blog Archive » Affirmative Action in book reviewing? on November 14th, 2007 2:47 pm

    [...] The Pond « “Disrespect” is spelled “r-o-m-a-n-c-e” [...]

  4. Zara on November 14th, 2007 4:25 pm

    You said:
    It's a true failure on the part of the “high brow” media types and bookstores to largely ignore 30% of the fiction revenue! Every time they do it’s like they’re saying, “Hey, ROMANCE FAN! Yeah, you! Yer ugly and yer momma dresses you funny!”

    That's so true, and I really don't appreciate it. I mean, I'm not ugly and my momma has not dressed me in many years. Well, there are those fuzzy sweaters she still buys me at Christmas, but I don't wear them in public. So there, “high brow” media types! At least our books don't cause us to need antidepressants after reading them.:)

  5. Holly on November 14th, 2007 4:26 pm

    I agree that "high brow" makes no sense. Who decides?

    And I LOVE that picture. I could so see my son (and think I have, actually) in that exact same position.

Got something to say?