Unwanted?

[redzinger]

If anyone asks, I'd say I write erotic romance.

As such, I was looking at joining the RNA - the Romantic Novelists' Association. You know, to meet and network with similar people?

Then, I looked at the categories for their 'RoNA awards':

http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/awards/the_rona_categories

The six RoNA categories are as follows:-

The RoNA for a Contemporary Romantic Novel: This category is for mainstream romantic novels set post 1960 and includes chick-lit, beach reads and genres such as paranormal/fantasy/time slip/romantic suspense.

The RoNA for an Epic Romantic Novel: Romantic novels containing serious issues or themes, including grittier fiction such as sagas, multi-generational tales may be included in this category, which may also include time slip novels.

The RoNA for a Historical Romantic Novel: The Historical category is for romantic novels set in a period before 1960. Time slip novels may be included.

The RoNA for a Romantic Comedy Novel: Romantic novels intended to be consistently humorous or amusing may be entered for this award.

RoNA Rose: This award is for category/series or shorter romance that focus on the developing love affair between the hero and heroine

The RoNA for a Young Adult Romantic Novel: This category is for romantic novels where the main characters are teenagers/young adults.

What's missing from that list?

Am I being sensitive in feeling a bit niggled?

 

[oggbashan]

Your definition of Romance and theirs don't match.

They mean hearts and flowers, not entwined limbs.

Romance writers can be prudes.

 

[sheablue]

Hmmmm ... what is missing?

Lesbian/gay, maybe? Or would that just slide in to those other categories? No pun intended.

 

[ishtat]

There's also the "Gothic" romance - many of which fall into the sub-category of "Bodice Ripper."

 

[BuckyDuckman]

I've often found it interesting how Romance folks struggle with accepting erotica. I understand not all their readers want explicit sex. But it's been my understanding that the racier titles sell well, too.

 

[oggbashan]

I've often found it interesting how Romance folks struggle with accepting erotica. I understand not all their readers want explicit sex. But it's been my understanding that the racier titles sell well, too.

With the Mills and Boon imprint, erotica is not permitted. They use a different trade name for the raunchier stories.

Both sell well, but usually for different readers.

I used to sell job lots of Mills and Boon paperbacks in my secondhand book shop - usually at 10 pence each. One of my regular customers was buying for her elderly mother. One week she bought the more erotic stories by mistake. She was back next week. Her mother didn't want any more of the basic Mills and Boon. She wanted more of the 'hard' stuff and had been lending those she already had around in her Old People's Home.

Being frail and in your 80s apparently doesn't stop you thinking about sex.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

With the Mills and Boon imprint, erotica is not permitted. They use a different trade name for the raunchier stories.

Both sell well, but usually for different readers.

I used to sell job lots of Mills and Boon paperbacks in my secondhand book shop - usually at 10 pence each. One of my regular customers was buying for her elderly mother. One week she bought the more erotic stories by mistake. She was back next week. Her mother didn't want any more of the basic Mills and Boon. She wanted more of the 'hard' stuff and had been lending those she already had around in her Old People's Home.

Being frail and in your 80s apparently doesn't stop you thinking about sex.

My wife tried roping me into reading a romance by suggesting a racier one. I found it laughable and unreadable.

Using my wife as my portal into the world of romance novels has been educational. She's mentioned how scandalous is can be for a character to have multiple partners (and never at once). Or, be divorced. Or, perform oral sex.

I take it all as a good reminder that there are good number of people in the world who are very vanilla. For some, just taking a shared shower with a partner is a huge fantasy. While I don't believe knowing that will alter my affinity for exploring the fringe areas of sexuality, I still finding it a grounding thought.

 

[Bramblethorn]

With the Mills and Boon imprint, erotica is not permitted. They use a different trade name for the raunchier stories.

Both sell well, but usually for different readers.

I used to sell job lots of Mills and Boon paperbacks in my secondhand book shop - usually at 10 pence each. One of my regular customers was buying for her elderly mother. One week she bought the more erotic stories by mistake. She was back next week. Her mother didn't want any more of the basic Mills and Boon. She wanted more of the 'hard' stuff and had been lending those she already had around in her Old People's Home.

Being frail and in your 80s apparently doesn't stop you thinking about sex.

I read a hilarious piece a while back from a lady who did mobile library stuff for the elderly and learned a lot about their tastes in fiction. Short version: no, it doesn't.

I wish I could find it again, but googling "mobile library porn elderly" is unhelpful.

 

[HeyAll]

They probably don't want their association to be too erotic.

And if you look at the popular erotic book market, there's also a 'bdsm romance' crowd which is very popular. It's bondage stories where love is involved and it ends happy.

 

[LadyVer]

If anyone asks, I'd say I write erotic romance.

As such, I was looking at joining the RNA - the Romantic Novelists' Association. You know, to meet and network with similar people?

Then, I looked at the categories for their 'RoNA awards':

http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/awards/the_rona_categories



What's missing from that list?

Am I being sensitive in feeling a bit niggled?

You may be looking at the wrong site. From what I remember the RNA is behind the times. Have you checked out RWA? There are a lot of Romance writers who write erotica for different subsets. The Heroes and Heartbreakers blog is a good way to keep up with Romance news.

 

[redzinger]

You may be looking at the wrong site. From what I remember the RNA is behind the times. Have you checked out RWA? There are a lot of Romance writers who write erotica for different subsets. The Heroes and Heartbreakers blog is a good way to keep up with Romance news.

There's one problem with the RWA - the 'of America' bit. I'm in the UK.

 

[LadyVer]

There's one problem with the RWA - the 'of America' bit. I'm in the UK.

What about their online chapters? One looks to be international. Hope you fine something.

PS The Passionate Ink online chapter is for erotica romance.

 

[lovecraft68]

There's also the "Gothic" romance - many of which fall into the sub-category of "Bodice Ripper."

My sister has been addicted to that stuff since she was 14.

Now that Goth is an entirely different meaning and features all those hot, sexy, moody, sometimes mean as hell types of girls, there needs to be an update to that genre