Exploring difference
Paranormal novels let readers and writers explore real world differences through fantastic beings. Eric Selinger, DePaul University professor of English, on ways that paranormals let us pose difficult questions: What makes a good paranormal read? Is it species or societies at odds? Characters who live among humans, but are somehow different? Imagining having psychic or magical abilities? What plots, characters, [...]
Hieber’s Perilous Prophecy
Have you imagined your favorite characters as teenagers? At New York City romance reading series Lady Jane’s Salon, Leanna Renee Hieber reads from her novel The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess. This video pulls together moments from the passage she selected: What different ways of forgetting do you enjoy reading—magic, amnesia, times long past?
Building worlds
A writer’s lifestyle and place in the world can be physically (if not digitally!) isolating. Jessica Andersen, author of romantic suspense and paranormal romances, notes that many authors prefer to “be in our pajamas in front of our computer not having to be social and not having to be extroverted.” However, the fictitious worlds of authors are boundless, and can [...]
Paranormal’s popularity
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel as inspiration? DePaul University professor of English Eric Selinger feels that paranormal fiction gives authors and readers the opportunity to think through ethics and politics of desire with higher stakes than in more realistic subgenres. What do you think triggered the popularity of paranormal romance? Why do you (or don’t you) enjoy reading the [...]
Think globally, love locally
At an international conference on popular romance fiction, a member of the logistical team that was hosting us took me aside to ask about the topic of the gathering. “Love?” he smiled, a little bemused. “You know, I came here from Iran—and no one knows more about love than the Persians.” As we chatted, he told me more, breaking periodically [...]
Editing for satisfaction
As a long-time romance reader, a romance author, and a publisher, I figured I had a pretty good handle on what constituted a good romance, so when I was asked to be the guest editor of Best Lesbian Romance 2009 (Cleis Press), I expected the task to be straightforward. I’ve just recently turned in the manuscript for Best Lesbian Romance [...]
Writing on a dare
A university librarian by day and a romance author by night, Crystal Jordan never planned to be a writer. Working in academia, she’s open about her interest in romance, but she told me she doesn’t like thinking that her colleagues are reading her novels. “So I just pretend that they haven’t read my work.” Crystal began writing romance novels on [...]
Shifting boundaries
Erotic romance novels are no longer relegated to the fringes of the publishing world. Random House recently bought the rights to publish Fifty Shades of Grey by English author E.L. James, a trilogy which includes explicit scenes of sex with bondage/domination elements. James is getting a seven-figure deal for the books. Not so long ago, this was unthinkable. So how [...]
