Okay, But Why Are Romance Novels Political?
The romance genre has always been popular, generating billions of dollars in revenue annually, and its roots go all the way back to the 18th and 19th centuries, including the famous works of Jane Austen. And despite some flaws, these books have always focused on the lives and struggles of women – something that had hardly been spotlighted before.
The original romance novel characters defied conventional social order and overcame personal struggles, all in pursuit of a “happily ever after.” These endings traditionally involved a marriage – it was the 18th and 19th centuries after all – but over time, characters’ desires were modernized, with women searching for fulfillment and success beyond their male counterparts.
A new subgenre was introduced in 1972 that would change the game forever – the “bodice ripper.” Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’s The Flame and the Flower is known as the first mass-marketed novel with explicit sex scenes, but it also popularized strong and independent heroines. These novels became notorious for their depictions of rape and abuse, but their impact was enduring. Steamy novels started to be seen as a commercially viable market for publishers. From there, the genre exploded.
The Romance Genre Expands
The already-dedicated fanbase has only grown in recent years thanks to a boost from social media and the creation of “BookTok,” a side of the popular app TikTok dedicated to creators talking about their favorite books, characters, and tropes.
Now, instead of hiding their scandalous romance novels from the public eye, women are unabashedly enjoying their favorite genre. Between May 2022 and 2023, the romance genre experienced a 52% increase in sales. And for many of these fans, it’s the first time seeing themselves in the pages of a book.
The genre has seen major shifts in recent years, evolving from stories focused on white, heterosexual protagonists to a more diverse range of characters, lives, and themes. LGBTQ+ characters and relationships have entire shelves dedicated to them in bookstores. Black female characters now receive the same fairytale endings that they’ve always deserved. Women see themselves in these novels, whether they take place in a fantasy world with dragons and fairies or the streets of New York City.
By telling these stories, romance novels assert that diverse voices belong at the center of the narrative, not just the margins. And that’s more important than ever as some groups try to silence these previously unheard voices. Romance novels are some of the most frequently banned books in the United States.
When romance novels, especially those that center women, queer love, and stories from Black and brown perspectives, are banned, it’s a clear reminder that literature is inherently political. And romance authors aren’t just standing idly by and letting this happen. They are well aware of the political implications of their books, and they’re using that influence to reach far beyond the pages.
Romance Authors Get Political
Authors Against Book Bans, a coalition of writers, illustrators, anthology editors and contributors, and other book creators, is spearheaded by several romance authors. Together, they are standing united against the unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read.
Inspired by fellow romance author Stacey Abrams (yes, former Georgia state representative and political organizer Stacey Abrams is also a romance author), a group of authors started an organization called Romancing the Vote, which has raised more than one million dollars for voting rights groups by auctioning off signed romances, annotated special editions, and more.
Through their podcast “Fated Mates,” authors Sarah MacLean and Jennifer Prokop explore the politics of reading romance to their hundreds of thousands of listeners. But it’s not just talk – it’s action, too. Their “Fated States” initiative organizes weekly phone banks to support political candidates and causes.
In a time when it feels increasingly difficult to succeed as a woman, a queer person, a person of color, an immigrant, or a person with a disability, seeing characters who look and think like you find a happy ending is nothing short of radical. These books provide hope and happiness. So, the next time you hear someone make fun of romance novels, you can let them know that they are missing out on critical and diverse storytelling with messages that so many of us love!