You may be asking yourself, so what’s the big deal? As a reader, you should be informed on how Amazon works with publishers and independent authors. One of the biggest complaints about their “domination” in the industry is Kindle Unlimited. As an author, if we enroll our books into the KU program, it means that we cannot sell our eBook versions on any other platform as long as we maintain our enrollment. What does that mean? You won’t find our novels on iBooks, Google Play, and Nook due to exclusivity provisions authors must agree to while in KU.
If that wasn’t bad enough to stiffle our sales, while readers pay a flat fee per month to read unlimited books, authors only get paid each time a reader flips a page on their Kindle device. For example, today I had a reader flip 27 pages, which equated to $0.12 in royalties. I can’t even buy a cup of coffee for what I make off of each book in KU.
It is no wonder that complaints are being filed by the industry against Amazon. It’s only a matter of time before their strong-arm tactics of industry domination will be challenged. They are effectively killing off the bookselling industry in many markets. Yes, they are convenient, I give them that much. Nevertheless, do they always have to be the only place we shop? Of course, shame on my for advertising Kindle Unlimited on this website!
Three of publishing’s most important organizations have teamed up to write a letter to the chairman of the House Antitrust Subcommittee investigating the market power of Big Tech to press their case that, over the last several years, Amazon’s growing dominance over book publishing and bookselling has fundamentally altered the competitive framework of the industry. If Amazon’s power is left unchecked, the letter continues, competition within publishing could diminish even more.
Gina Barreca Ph.D. Snow White Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
How about a little psychology behind your historical romance needs? This is an interesting article about a bookstore with titles piled neatly at the end of a major bookstore chain’s aisle with the sign “Realistic Romance” placed above them. What does that mean?
The first book that I wrote had too much realism, as one reviewer pointed out. Some wanted to throw it against the wall. Others said it was a downer. Yeah, I get it. We don’t like to write about the tough places in life that may have romance. It’s escapism at the core to fall in love with a titled English aristocrat. Nevertheless, if you know me, I say let’s fall in love with a few others like brickmakers, watchmakers, and regular men who can love just as passionately as the duke living in the grand estate on the hill.
Read what Psychology Today has to say on the subject.
Can the categories of “romance” and “realism” overlap in meaningful ways? Historical romance? Otherwise known as “bodice-rippers,” these books can be recognized immediately by the young woman with a tangle of long hair whose dress—with its mandatory poufy-sleeves and lace—is off one shoulder, indicating both defiance and availability
Have you noticed? Not exactly historical romance book related, but if you read the genre, you probably watch the dramas.
“One of the best things about watching period dramas is arguably the costumes. They play a huge part in conveying the full effects of the period, even if they’re not 100% historically accurate. Bonnets, top hats, spencer jackets, petticoats, and tight breeches: What more could you need in a costume drama?”
African American history and the romance genre are a perfect match. Learn more about Black history with these must-read Black historical romance novels.
More drama. The RITAs cancelled. Major publishers dropping support as well and distancing themselves from the organization until changes are made. Read Here
The U.S.’s foremost writers association for romance writers has announced that it will postpone the 2020 RITA Contest, the country’s top prize for romance fiction, until next year.
From accusations to resignations, it’s a bit of a mess. “RWA itself acknowledged in a public statement last week that the organization was at a turning point and that we have lost the trust of our membership and the romance community.” Read More at The Guardian article published 12/31/19 below.
Trade group representing 10,000 writers decided to punish author Courtney Milan, prompting a reversal, fierce debate and resignations
This is a very interesting article with lots of comments that deserves re-posting. I, for one, even as an author, lament the rut that Historical Romance has been in for some time. I wrote about it last year, posting that thought. Read Here.
Some of the comments bring up good points about overused tropes, historical inaccuracies, and characters sounding and acting far too modern. Authors struggle with the fact that the days of bodice rippers are over and the “me-too” attitude should now be in books. That’s a hard task to accomplish when people want historical accuracy but they don’t want to read about women who in reality had very little rights.
Sure, there were pockets of strong women who accomplished much in life in spite of living in a man’s world. Nevertheless, it’s like the constant focus upon aristocrats in historical romance when only ten percent of the population was in that class in England. What happens to the ninety percent without titles? I suppose it doesn’t satisfy the need for the fantasy of the rich lifestyles and the titled duke when falling in love with a farmer or bricklayer is no doubt a boring prospect. We cannot always blame the authors who try to write beyond those constraints because of the lack of interest, although we do have those occasional pirates, cowboys, and Vikings to freshen the mix.
Whatever the thought, you might enjoy the hot comments on All About Romance.
We listen to you, we really do. And we’ve noticed that you, along with several of our reviewers, aren’t all that happy with most – not all, but most – of the historical romance that’s been published in the past year or so. Using our Power Search feature, we looked at all the Historical Romance reviews we’ve written in 2019. We’ve given out 19 As, 47 Bs, 21 Cs, 13 Ds, and 2 Fs. Getting Cs, Ds, and Fs were several authors we’ve reviewed positively in the past: Victoria Alexander, Lorraine Heath, Madeline Hunter, Anne Gracie, Marguerite Kaye, and Laura Lee Guhrke to name a few. Several of the DIKs are debut books are are by lesser-known authors. So, is there a problem with historical romance right now? And, if so, what is it? There was a very strong response to this column, both on Twitter and in the comments below. AAR’s publisher has written a response to the […]
Johanna Lindsey, a romance novelist whose best-selling paperbacks ranged through the centuries, chronicling passionate and independent women in pirate ships, Viking forts, medieval castles, the American West and on a distant planet called Kystran, died Oct. 27 at a hospital in Nashua, N.H. She was 67. She published her first book when she was 25 and sold more than 60 million copies.
UPDATE: Sadly, in spite of my encouragement written below, ITV has decided to axe Sanditon for a second season, stating the series struggled in ratings. It’s a shame, frankly, because ITV made a huge mistake with this fantastic potential of a Jane Austen adaptation. Sadly, the writers gambled on a second season and therefore left the story open and unresolved, which is now their shame and defeat. Unless another network picks it up, I’m afraid this will go down in history as the most disappointing period drama ever filmed. (News released December 10, 2019)
(Republished from my blog Popcorn Entertainment Reviews) January 12, 2020, PBS Masterpiece will be showing Sanditon in the United States. It has already aired in the United Kingdom and a few other places. Those who have watched the series are biting their fingernails, waiting for the reaction across the pond that may or may not determine an announcement whether there will be a season two. Hold onto your hats, ladies, and gents, because the ocean breezes can be strong. So what’s all the fuss about this fictional seaside resort? Well, let me explain.
Sanditon is based on Jane Austen’s unfinished novel. She died before finishing the tale. Screenwriter Andrew Davies decided to finish it, along with other writers who worked on the script and brought it to ITV in the United Kingdom earlier this year. The result of those eight episodes has stirred a storm like none other Jane Austen adaptation on screen thanks to the number of viewers that fall into two camps.
The Jane Austen purists were aghast at the storyline, as it contained nudity (bare male behinds running into the cold waters), too many sexual innuendos, free-flowing hairstyles, and men and women acting non-Regency style. (How dare he kiss her and not propose!) The ending added to the horror of it all, which I will discuss later.
In the other camp are throngs of women who have lost all senses and become absolute fanatics about the series. If you don’t believe me, you need to check out the Sanditon Facebook fan group. I make no judgment about their often desperate and humorous posts. They only want one thing in life – a second season. Andrew Davies had the nerve to leave its viewers heartbroken in a very un-Jane Austen like ending with no happiness in sight. How dare he? Well, the women of Sanditon fandom will hear none of it, and they have been on a mission to hound ITV, Red Planet Pictures, the stars, the producers, and whoever they can find to continue the story. Will they? Apparently, no announcement will be made until after it airs in the United States. Today the following was posted from the official Sanditon websites:
“We are so happy you enjoyed your trip to Sanditon! We are setting sail for the US and won’t have news to share with you on a second series until the show has aired there. In the meantime, thank you so much for all your support and love for Sidlotte!” (Official Sanditon Facebook Page)
Therefore, it is imperative that you, the viewers, become incandescently obsessed with this show or otherwise a deep depression will circle the earth because Charlotte and Sidney have no happy ending.
So, who are these characters? What is the story about? Is it because dreamy Theo James, who plays Sidney Parker has actually given the infamous Mr. Darcy and run for his money? I will let you be the judge of this man who at first has no redeeming qualities. However, in period clothing and with that face, what woman can resist him in spite of his faults? And he will flash his bottom as well, that is if PBS doesn’t edit that scene out. They better not, or there will be hell to pay! {fans self}
Now that I have regained my senses…
Charlotte, the heroine of the story, in a chance encounter meets the Parkers who invite her to Sanditon. She’s innocent, outspoken, and absolute joy of a character, the eldest of more children than you can count. Her father allows her to accompany the Parkers to Sanditon but not without warning. “Be careful, Charlotte,” he says. “Careful of what, papa?” “Everything.”
Yes, there is much to be careful about, because the rest of the characters will leave a lasting impression. There are the grumpy aristocratic lady and her relations that can’t wait for her to die to get her money. Mr. Tom Parker, with tunnel vision, is the town’s entrepreneur who thinks only of himself, along with two hypochondriac siblings. There’s the mysterious Sidney, his other brother, whose slight twitch of a smile will make you swoon. He’s guardian to a rich heiress worth 100,000 pounds who can be a handful. Of course, what story doesn’t have its antagonist you love to hate? You will want to strangle Mrs. Campion, who by the way is married in real life to Theo James. Then poor Stringer, the victim of unrequited love. Many other characters will come onto the screen as well.
The series is well-acted, to say the least. Theo James and Rose Williams, who plays Charlotte, are fantastic in displaying their emotions. Andrew Davies and the writers have woven symbolism throughout the tale that you won’t pick up on until it’s all over and you lean back in your chair, grab a tissue, and sob. Then you’ll begin to ask yourself, what just happened? Why am I blubbering over this show? What has it done to me? Why can’t I sleep? Why do I need to buy a pineapple? Why do I have to run off and join the Sanditon Facebook Fan Group to find solace and comfort among others around the world?
Yes, Sanditon will do one of two things for viewers in the United States. First, the purist Jane Austen camp will complain and refuse to accept this story with all the faults they can pick out. Others will lose their senses, get lost, swoon, go gaga over Theo James, and lose sleep until an announcement comes that season two will be filmed and released. After all, the story must go on! We need a ripe pineapple! Tom Parker’s debts have to be paid but not with Eliza Campion’s money. Sidney needs to come to his senses! Charlotte needs a happy ending!
Enjoy, Sanditon. Oh, and be careful. Be very careful, of everything starting January 12, 2020.
“Dive deep into these drama-free (hah!) historical romances about estranged lovers. Every romance reader has their favorite tropes, and estranged lovers is definitely one of mine. For one thing, in the vast and interconnected web of romance tropes, estranged lovers touches so many of my other favorites: forced proximity, secret baby, crash the wedding, reveeeeenge. For another, estranged lovers is such an emotionally laden trope.”
What’s so great about Regency romances anyway? Even with a forthcoming romance novel whose characters could promenade the same ballrooms as Emma Woodhouse and Mr. Knightley, Anna Harrington, author of An Inconvenient Duke, doesn’t lower her voice when she says it: “I hate Jane Austen.”
Drama in romance writers land. . .
Johanna Lindsey, a romance novelist whose best-selling paperbacks ranged through the centuries, chronicling passionate and independent women in pirate ships, Viking forts, medieval castles, the American West and on a distant planet called Kystran, died Oct. 27 at a hospital in Nashua, N.H. She was 67. She published her first book when she was 25 and sold more than 60 million copies.
“Dive deep into these drama-free (hah!) historical romances about estranged lovers. Every romance reader has their favorite tropes, and estranged lovers is definitely one of mine. For one thing, in the vast and interconnected web of romance tropes, estranged lovers touches so many of my other favorites: forced proximity, secret baby, crash the wedding, reveeeeenge. For another, estranged lovers is such an emotionally laden trope.”
Get your tissues ready. Half of the world is in tears, and when this hits PBS, the remainder of us will be crying in our tea.