Trend Spotting

Bitchin' Blog Posts

by SB Sarah | by SB Sarah | June 21, 2011 | Tuesday at 10:36 am | 105 Comments

We’re days away from RWA, where authors will be pitching their manuscripts and leading or attending sessions on craft and career, editors will be taking pitches and appearing on panels talking about what they’re looking for in the future - and what’s coming out from their houses very soon.

Some folks will be trying to figure out what the Next Big Thing will be, and others will be hoping their book IS the Next Big Thing, as they try to land a spot on the 2013 or 2014 publishing schedule. There’s always talk of trends, fads, niche markets, and established sub-genres that are experiencing growth or contraction in sales. And, of course, many of us (hi!) are looking for news of upcoming awesome books to read.

In short, there’s a whole lot of people thinking and talking about the future, either a few months from now, or a few years from now.

But I’d like to ask you about the future. Whether or not you’re attending RWA, I’m curious: what do YOU think the trends are right now, or will be soon? What books do you want to read? What have you enjoyed recently that you want more of? We’ve been looking at a LOT of 2010 books the past few weeks - has that changed your opinion about what you want, or don’t want? Genres, niches, whatever - I’m curious what you think about the future of romance, in the next few months, or the next few years.

Filed: General Bitching, Random Musings

Tagged: trends, romance, psychic friend, awesomesauce

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Aurora85 said on 06.21.11 at 11:09 AM • [link]

I’m hoping that there will be more multi-racial romances :) (AM/WF in particular)

Oh wow, I was born in ‘85, and the word was results85, maybe it might mean something hehe?
mia said on 06.21.11 at 12:06 PM • [link]

I would like to see publishers be a little more generous w/ the page count. I’ve read several stories that seemed to rush to the finish when 10 or 20 more pages would have made for a more satisfying end, to me anyways. Also, I would like to read a paranormal or action/mystery that isn’t part of a series. And it feels like there are more series in historicals these days too. :/
kylie said on 06.21.11 at 12:50 PM • [link]

Fewer paranormal would be nice. I like paranormal, but I find the overwhelming rush to the genre in the last decade disturbing. One sex, romantic and guilt feeling vampire works, because it plays against the main image as evil bloodsuckers. The flood of sexy, do gooder vamps kind of kills the fun- and extrapolate against the whole range of supernatural beings.
Screwball romances- funny and silly and light- would be nice. there are not enough humorous and well written ones out there.
R E G said on 06.21.11 at 01:05 PM • [link]

I realize there are tons of paranormal fans. I don’t want to rain on their parade!

However I think it’s a cheat to introduce paranormal elements into an otherwise “normal” book. They cause dents in my wall.

I have a dent for the hero whose gypsy grandmother gave him the second sight, but only when the heroine needed it.

I have another dent for the valley or glen or whatever that protects it’s children from harm. And the children are surprised because it never happened before!

Mad first wives in the attic are OK. Anyone can have one of those. A genuine witch living over yonder is much harder to believe. In any case, if you are a genuine witch why are you living in poverty? Conjure up some decent furniture. (If you are a psychic predict the lotto numbers and retire.)

These plot devices seem beyond lazy to me and have moved several authors from auto-buy to library.
Cät von J said on 06.21.11 at 01:29 PM • [link]

I´d love contemporaries to be a tad more realistic. Don´t get me wrong. I´m all for “no-bad-breath-in-the-morning” in Romancelandia…but.
I want to see more interracial as well, more gay couples as main characters, more “normal” heroines (no need to have them ALL virgins or women with “tried-sex-its-not-fun” attitude in the 21st century…)
What I totally don´t want is more realistic historicals. They can keep on being anachronistical with a heroine and her shaved legs and all of them have Hollywood smiles and the men actually like their women´s emancipated world view…
Lynne Connolly said on 06.21.11 at 01:37 PM • [link]

In total contrast to the last commenter (sorry!):
Real historicals. Breathtaking historical romances with some real history in them, instead of gossamer-thin confections that have no relation to anything but themselves. So flat, so cardboard, so boring.
I love paranormals, but I’m not enamoured with the urban fantasy type. It just doesn’t do it for me, and I’m so tired of superwoman. and the kind of girl with a sarcastic attitude about everything and anything. And the market has been swamped with them.
I’m also not keen on the YA, but I know I’m in a minority there.
Mary Anne Graham said on 06.21.11 at 01:52 PM • [link]

I hope the trend sees the end of full-fledged paranormal. For the love of all ducks in the universe - no more vampires, werewoves or shape shifters. Instead, I hope we see a little more “magic” in all romance, along with some “lighter” paranormal elements. Let’s see faeries, spells, curses, fortune tellers or horoscopes. Let’s see those things as a force in the stories.

I hope the next big thing is contemporaries that bring the heat and the angst of historicals. They’d take reality and turn it up a few notches.

.. but then again, all of that is (more than) a little warped by my own over-the-top point of view!!!
Dawn Green said on 06.21.11 at 02:05 PM • [link]

Ditto Lynne Connolly - “Breathtaking historical romances with some real history in them.” I think that’s why I have been comsumed by the Outlander series. You have the breathtaking romance with some real history. I’d like to see more of that.
Regina said on 06.21.11 at 02:17 PM • [link]

I’m not sure. I love historical novels, romantic-suspense, heros with hot bodies and a touch of romanticism and less “I’m a tough guy” attitude, tho’ I like some attitude as well. Paranormals are okay, but the field is getting saturated with them. Just give me a hot read with a good, believable plot and likable, realistic characters.
DS said on 06.21.11 at 02:25 PM • [link]

Add me to the list of people who want more realistic historicals. I just finished reading a mystery set in St Paul’s cathedral during the bombing on the night of December 29, 1940. Despite the fact that I have repeatedly said I won’t read books set during WWII—too much WWII everywhere when I was growing up—I found it compelling and realistic.

I’d like to find a romance that would drag me in like that.

I am also totally thankful that zombie heroes have not taken off. As a friend of my said when we were talking about it—what’s romantic about bits of the hero falling off?
bjvl said on 06.21.11 at 02:40 PM • [link]

I only read certain authors, but I know finding them on the shelves can be difficult because….

a. Historicals aren’t going away—but they’re going to shift more and more to Victorian Age, away from Regency

b. Paranormals are flooding the market—the genre will never die out, but we’re past apogee and the sales will decline except for the most popular authors

c. Contemporary romance is fighting a losing battle against the Pretty Clothes of the Historicals and the MagicSex of the Paranormals. Sales will decline except for the most popular authors.

d. People are looking for something new—but not So New that it’s outside the genre. Hard balance to keep.
Lynnd said on 06.21.11 at 02:43 PM • [link]

Add me to the list of those craving more realistic historicals and also longer page counts. I would also like to see morre historicals set outside of England and if England is the setting, something other than the period between !800 - 1830 would be nice.
Chelsea said on 06.21.11 at 02:57 PM • [link]

I want historical from a wider range of eras and locations. I’d like to see real historical events play a role or at least get some mention. And I want fewer dukes and duchesses and more typical people. Seamstresses, school teachers, blacksmiths, soldiers, nurses, etc.

For contemporary I’m looking for more realistic plots with intriguing emotional dilemmas. I love a romantic comedy as much as the next person, but occasionally I want something with more substance.

In paranormals I want to see vampires and shapeshifters take a backseat. I want fewer characters with ridiculous psychic powers and what not. I always find it more intriguing when you take characters who only possess small scale powers, if any at all, and have the plot or setting be the main source of magic. And I want more wacky steampunkish science.

I also want good, well written science fiction romance. With space ships and aliens and stuff.
Michele said on 06.21.11 at 03:11 PM • [link]

Historical from a wider variety of eras would be nice, and I was recently pleasantly surprised by an alternate history romance- that would be interesting to see more often.

Series novels back at 250 pages…. most of the lines have shrunk to 175-215, and I have seen story suffer as a result. I now have reduced my series purchases only to a handful of authors, and rarely will I take a chance on anyone new.

More romantic comedies, particularly contemporary. Something that could be described as a “fun romp”. I like my romantic suspense, but sometimes I need a break. However, I don’t want that break filled with angst and serious issues and depressing stuff. Closest I’ve come to finding these lately are mysteries with a romance built in.
Nightwriter said on 06.21.11 at 03:19 PM • [link]

I would like to see this trend of everything being part of a series end. I’ve passed up many interesting looking books because they were well into a series and I hadn’t read the previous books. Having the same characters appear over and over never fails to get boring. Bring back the stand-alones.

I would also like to see some GOOD sci-fi romance, (by good I mean, the science and gadgets don’t overwhelm the story) and less totally out there paranormal. My disbelief can only suspend so far. I hate it that the old vampire/werewolf etc. myths that terrified me as a young woman have been distorted and stretched into a realm that makes them unrecognizable.

I want more diversity in historicals, too. The Regency is worn out. Why not explore the US during its infancy. Lots of wonderful material still unplumbed there.
Alley said on 06.21.11 at 03:28 PM • [link]

I’d like to see some more supportive friends (or, hell, friends at all) in romances. Not in the “here’s a large circle of friends that float in and out of scenes just so they can be brought back with their own books later!” way, but friends that actually act like it. I know there’s a tricky balance to keeping those relationship interactions to a minimum to focus on the romance, but I’ve seen it be done, so I know it’s possible!

I’d also love more books set in the 1920s and 1930s, but I’m not going to hold my breath on that one.

I predict we’re going to get a flood of Victorians with either small touches of steampunk or just going whole hog with the dirigibles, goggles, and mechanics.
liz talley said on 06.21.11 at 03:30 PM • [link]

I’m hopeful for more contemporaries similar to what Michelle suggests - something fun and delicioius over heart-wrenching. I’m not much on heart-wrenching anyway. I like to feel good when I finish a book. I do like a little mystery mixed in, cozy-style, but with the romance being the meat and potatoes of the story.

I’d love to see the return of the American historical romance. Maybe I’m still misty-eyed over Lonesome Dove and Gone with the Wind, but our country has some richness and depth of its own. I’d love to read more set around the Civil War or late 1800’s out west. Heck, I’d even read a Revolutionary War book.

I’d also like to see some multi- racial books.

These aren’t predictions. Just what I want :)
Hannah said on 06.21.11 at 03:52 PM • [link]

@Aurora85, I would go for more AM/WF romances too (as the WF half of a similar real-life pairing).
I’d also like more American-set historicals and pre-Georgian-era set historicals. Also would go for more realistic historicals that still have a “feel-good’ HEA.
As far as current trends, I’m seeing a lot of paranormals about dragons or Greek mythology. I don’t know what’s next. As a reader I’d rather be surprised.
Also more single-title contemporaries!
JanLo said on 06.21.11 at 03:55 PM • [link]

I second the desire for cross genre books. All with strong romantic elements and a HEA or HFN ending. Linnea Sinclair comes to mind, yet her newest book, to my knowledge, has not found a publisher.
More books along the lines of JD Robb’s In Death series with a strong heroine and an ongoing strong romance. Things in life do happen to relationships after the first blush of passion. I think that’s why the In Death and Outlander series resonate so strongly with people - that promise that ongoing relationships can still have spice and romance.
More historicals with a smattering of real history. I for one am tired of the Ton. Any of you old enough to remember the slightly over the top John Jakes books of the sixties? Yes, they were corny, but each one taught a little history.
Overall, just more solidly written, slightly longer, well edited books to keep me curled up on the couch!
AnnaM said on 06.21.11 at 03:56 PM • [link]

Someone needs to stick a wooden stake in the vampires and put 2 silver bullets in the werefolk. I predict more Steampunk. I’d love to see historicals from the first half of the 20th Century. DS, what was the name of your mystery novel set in St Pauls? It’s right up my alley. I think in the realm of contemporary we will see both more humor in the genre and more suspense. I predict the sex will push the envelope more. And by envelope, I mean buttcrack.

In contemporary, I’d like to see more experience in the women.

I would like to see more fewer series or shorter series. I don’t want to make a 6 yr commitment to find out how it all works out. Trilogies are ok, but longer series PLS STP.
Lisa said on 06.21.11 at 04:36 PM • [link]

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m tired of too much sex (in my books, not real life!). If I want erotica, I’ll read erotica - and I do, now and then. It’s just that I’m tired of “regular” books where the plot and relationship development are interrupted by pages and pages of detailed descriptions of who put what where and how many times and how damp everything got. And frankly, as someone with curly/frizzy hair, humidity is my enemy and “humid” is not a word I want to associate with sex. Sometimes the sex scenes feel like a competition from author to author to get more inventive, more intense, more whatever, and it makes me weary.

Maybe I’m just feeling old and cranky, but when I was a teen I gobbled up romantic suspense novels by Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels . I remember so well the edge-of-the-seat excitement I used to feel when the hero and heroine exchanged a significant glance or maybe even kissed! The UST was unresolved for much longer. This is partly why I enjoy reading YA romances, but I’d like the same sort of thing in books that feature grownups, too. And, no, I don’t want to read inspirational romances because I’m a cranky nonbeliever and opposed to organized religion on general principles.
Courtney said on 06.21.11 at 04:46 PM • [link]

I would like to see:

1) America set historicals (Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWII, Westerns, etc.)

2) World War II.

3) Good sci-fi romance, like Zoe Archer’s Collision Course.
Cathy Yardley said on 06.21.11 at 04:48 PM • [link]

Please, please bring back romantic comedy! Agents & editors keep saying “no one wants it,” and that just seems wrong. I’m not a fan of screwball comedy either necessarily, but I still miss early Jennifer Crusie stuff… would love to see more fun dialogue and such in a contemporary romance.
KBR said on 06.21.11 at 04:57 PM • [link]

I feel Courtney Milan might be setting a trend of having novellas appear in between full-length books. Also, I am begging for historicals to expand to other locales. I remember when romance in America was hot (ages me), but I loved it. I now live in Budapest (I don’t know for how long). It has to be one of the most romantic cities in Europe. So much history, so many lovers, such a beautiful, mysterious city to serve as a backdrop. Will publishers touch this place right now? No.
Which brings me to my final thought: I wonder if more authors will self-pub so they can write what they want: Page length, era, location. Yay!
Lauren said on 06.21.11 at 04:59 PM • [link]

I recommend everyone to read Fake Perfection by Linda Ginac. The book was published at the beginning of this month, and it is a great and easy ready for the summer time. Fake Perfection is ultimately a story of triumph, it tells the often-shocking story of a broken girl who overcomes incredible odds to become a strong, independent wife, mother, and entrepreneur. Linda’s life wasn’t always a bed of roses, but her defiant attitude and indomitable spirit shines through even in the darkest moments, allowing her to become a trust broker to clients and friends alike. Through it all, Fake Perfection shows us how we all wear veils to some extent, but through honest self-evaluation and effort, we can all achieve true happiness, even though we’re not perfect.

This book is relatable to everyone and is truly an entertaining and intriguing story. I recommend that everyone reads it!
Karenmc said on 06.21.11 at 04:59 PM • [link]

I’m with the more realistic historicals crowd. The wallpaper books just don’t do it for me, but I finish them anyway because I was brought up to always clean my plate. Also, longer word count would help one or two seasoned writers who seem to be unable to create the kind of books they’ve done in the past. One author in particular has been such a disappointment, and I really think it’s because she’s not writing the longer, meaty books she’s capable of.

One trend I appreciate is the month-to-month release of a series. Zöe Archer’s books worked for me because of this approach.

Lastly, I could really care less about vampires (although I want to see Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows movie).
Paula Graves said on 06.21.11 at 05:02 PM • [link]

I like hearing the comments about A) longer pagecounts in series books and B) more UST, less sex being okay with some readers, because this echoes what I want to read—and write. I’m fortunate that I write for a series line that doesn’t have the expectation of graphic sex on the page—it’s just not my power zone as a writer, plus I’m writing suspense and there’s a lot of mystery-related plot to get into my books in a short amount of words.

Does anyone know the thinking behind shortening the word counts so much in series? Saving paper (which I know is expensive)? Do they think readers’ attention spans are so much shorter these days? It confuses me. You’re paying as much or even more for the books but getting less content—who wants that?
Maili said on 06.21.11 at 05:09 PM • [link]

I’m seeing the return of American historical romances, but lately in form of steampunk romance, which I didn’t expect. Heh! I still believe American historical romances will make its comeback, though. Not as big as it was before, but still.

Sci fi romances will never have its day. It’s always the wallflower, right on the edge of the dance floor, never had a proper chance to have a dance. I think it’ll be like that for the rest of my life. That said, I’m reasonably certain that there will be a minor faux-medieval fantasy romance trend. And perhaps superhero/ine romances.

I think there will be a trend in historical romance for non-titled heroes/heroines. It would be awesome if so. I’d LOVE to read Australia-set historical romances. (I have no shame in admitting to worshipping Australian fiction and films.)

I’d like to see much less ‘mixed race hero/ine as a compromise’. The growing popularity of this is making me feel quite uncomfortable. I hope authors will reconsider viewing this option as a ‘compromise’. Please don’t. We aren’t, and shouldn’t be seen, as compromises for anything.

I would *love* to see more standalone romance novels. Not surprising I’d say this as I’m somewhat allergic to long book series (a trilogy is my limit). I just don’t have the time and stamina to commit myself to a long series these days.
Fresco said on 06.21.11 at 05:13 PM • [link]

I would love to see more straight contemporaries, like Judith McNaught, Elizabeth Lowell, Jessica Bird (where are you Jessica Bird!!!). No romantic comedies for me, thank you ;) I love some angst and cruel heroes and some suffering and a goood grovel at the end LOL.
BTW, this is my first post :)
DreadPirateRachel said on 06.21.11 at 05:13 PM • [link]

I like the steampunk trend, so I hope we get some really good contributions to that subgenre.

In general, though, I’d like to see more contemporary romances. I guess what I want is the fantasy element of the historical (seriously, how the fuck many dukes were there in 1812? Not enough for all our heroines to marry) mixed with the relatability of the contemporary. I want to see the h/h confront modern issues but still get the awesome HEA.

Finally, I’d like to see some historicals that deal with more ordinary people—servants marrying servants, rather than some laundry maid marrying an earl. Or middle-class merchants’ daughters marrying the second sons of a country squire. Not that I’m all “Stay in your place, bitch,” but it’s never very realistic when a lowly serving maid sweeps an aristocratic rake off his feet. It just didn’t really happen. Sorry.
DianaW said on 06.21.11 at 05:29 PM • [link]

Please, let’s move away from the two most overused genres, as noted by everyone above:

1. Paranormals. I’m completely over fangs, fur, fae, fairies. What really disappoints me is that while there are fantastic paranormals out there - Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling and Guild Hunter books as an example - there are about ten times as many poor excuses for books. Cramming together overly convoluted backstories/mythologies and lots and lots of supposedly erotic sex doesn’t make a readable book. Why is so much substandard stuff published in this genre? It’s not good enough and we shouldn’t accept it.

2. Regencies. As a Brit and a history lover, it’s far from the most interesting period of our rich island story. Fixate on another period please.

And linked to the above, can we please stop with the never ending series phenomenon in which authors start off with a great idea. They then proceed to milk it forever and ever for about twenty five books, beating the poor concept to death (and boring the reader senseless in the process.) And all of is spun on the pretext that the author had the whole thing developed in her head all along.

I’d like to see more of the following:

- Steampunk: after reading Meljean Brook last year, I’m intrigued by this genre and would love to read more
- As mentioned above, series that develop relationships between two main characters. That’s why I’m enjoying the Guild Hunters, and I love Lynne Connolly’s Richard & Rose series.
- Other periods of British history, as mentioned above. How about the Tudors and Stuarts. Come on, even though The Tudors was historically, absolute tosh, it did prove you can make some great drama out of the period. Or Roman Britain. Or Medievals. What happened to this genre?
Elizabeth Michels said on 06.21.11 at 05:32 PM • [link]

I agree with more historical historicals. I also like the idea of opening up the market to American history. We do have some great settings for stories here.

I would also like to see time-travel make a come back. Paranormal has become all about vamps and warewolves, what about a little time-travel?

It’s going to be interesting to see what happens in Romance over the next year and if the industry will listen to our wise opinions. :)
Becca said on 06.21.11 at 05:45 PM • [link]

I’m tired of paranormals too, and of dystopians, and urban fantasy with feisty heroines. I also wouldn’t mind less explicit sex, particularly that which is only put in because they need a sex scene every so many pages or whatever. Sex that advances the plot, yes. sexual tension, hell yes.

I do like romantic suspense, when it’s well done (hello, Laura Griffin!) but too often the mystery subplot seems tacked on to expand the page count.

I agree with those looking for less restrictive page counts, too - give an author time to explore the plot and characterizations.

i love books with deep friendships - not just friends to lovers, but friends supporting friends (Nora Roberts does this so well!)
DS said on 06.21.11 at 05:51 PM • [link]

@AnnaM: It was Ashes to Ashes by Barbara Nadel, #3 in the Francis Hancock series but stands alone quite well. Her other series is contemporary and about Inspector Ikmen in Turkey. I’m thinking about giving them a try next.
quichepup said on 06.21.11 at 05:53 PM • [link]

This is fascinating and I agree with a lot of these ideas. But what is “AM?” “WF” I figured out. African-American, Asian, Austrian?
Kathleen said on 06.21.11 at 05:54 PM • [link]

I am not a big fan of vampires, werewolves, shapshifters and the like. But I do like a bit of paranormal, but what I would like to see is more what I call Womans Fiction. Stories that get to the heart of todays issues and how we deal with them. but I also love to see more exotic contemporary romances, that are full of suspense and danger, the likes of what Cindy Gerard or Stephanie Tyler write. And the historial and contemporary est in books is becomeing more out in front these days, which I love too..
I would love to got RWA, but alas it never seems to fit in with my schedule.. But one of these days I will get there.. I only heard of this about 4 years ago and it has intrigued me ever since.. I would love to meet all of my fav authors and tell them in person how much I love their books.
Like I said maybe next year….
JoyK said on 06.21.11 at 05:56 PM • [link]

I think we’ve successfully identified the NEXT HOT THING. I’m not so fond of straight steampunk but add some romance and I think we’ve got a winner! LOVED The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook. Also Gail Carriger’s Souless. The victorian settings, romance and paranormal elements all combined was interesting. Carriger’s prim, strong minded heroine reminded me of Elizabeth Peter’s Amelia Peabody.

I notice more SF romances but they haven’t quite got the mix of these two elements right—good romance/poor SF or vice versa. Anyone who is able to get it just right will do well. I liked Wen Spencer’s Tinker—advanced science yanks Pittsburgh to Elfhome and back again regularly. So, a nice mix of science fiction/paranormal/mystery with a little romance thrown in. Add more romance to the mix and maybe you’ve got a new kind of romance.
Rebecca said on 06.21.11 at 06:07 PM • [link]

Can’t tell you all how encouraging I find all the comments here for my current WIP….a historical novel set in colonial New Amsterdam, starring a notary public and a tavern-keeper’s daughter. (And as a bonus, they were real people. The notary’s signature appears all over the New York archives, their daughter’s baptism is recorded, and his wife is mentioned as petitioning the city to not auction certain personal effects to cover his debts at his death…yes, I know that’s a sort of sad reference, but they do get a HEA before he dies.) Now back to work….
Lynne Connolly said on 06.21.11 at 06:16 PM • [link]

I think with the paranormals, many authors are using it as an excuse to create superbeings, and that’s why we’re getting bored with it. And they’re setting these superbeings in a world that only has a passing resemblance to ours. Some is fun, but the publishers are doing what they always do and flooding the market.

I have to confess, I’m addicted to writing it, even the vamps and shifters, but that’s because I’m interested in the issues it throws up. I can use them to discuss bigotry and prejudice without picking on any real life subgroup, for example, and without getting preachy. And there are problems unique to these beings (if they actually existed!) like what happens when a vampire who can’t convert anyone except by losing his own life falls in love with a human? Or what happens when a person is converted to a vampire and has to watch his family age and die?
Kate Pearce said on 06.21.11 at 06:34 PM • [link]

Add me to the more realistic sweeping historical saga crowd. I like to write them too, but no one seems to want to buy them. :(
I’m also with the paranormal with lighter elements and less of the gum chewing leather-clad kick ass heroine.
I’d also like more grit in my contemporaries, but that might just be me.
Cara Ellison said on 06.21.11 at 06:35 PM • [link]

@Lauren, your post sounds like a clumsy sales attempt.

I’d like to see more humor in romances and less humor in paranormals. I’m so over the know-it-all and yet adorably clueless heroine. No thank you.
cleo said on 06.21.11 at 06:46 PM • [link]

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m tired of too much sex (in my books, not real life!). If I want erotica, I’ll read erotica

Amen sister, that’s how I feel too, at least for full length novels. It seems to be hard to combine tons of hot sex with believable plots and relate-able characters for an entire book. Romance novellas with hot sex tend to work better for me.

I agree that steampunk romance seems to be a new trend, and one that I like. I’ve noticed books with Greek myths and dragons too. I keep hoping that the vampire craze has run it’s course, but it’s still going strong.
Aurora85 said on 06.21.11 at 07:03 PM • [link]

@quichepup AM means Asian male and WF means white female. I’m not a big romance reader, but like others mentioned, I’d like for historical to be set in different locales with different characters instead of nobility. I write short stories for fun, (yes Asian male white female pairings) and came up with a large number of unique historical locales (one in America in 1950s featuring a Jewish woman and a Korean male) and character mixes. Wish me luck in writing.

Word: look42
Lori said on 06.21.11 at 07:16 PM • [link]

I would like more mixed race couples also but including all races. The world around us is so diverse and it’d be fascinating to read of a black hero and heroine from India (know a couple like that and the family crap is unbelievable).

Also, I’ll echo the LESS SEX!! I miss the build up of emotions nowadays the H/h are getting it on way too soon and in way too much detail.

And humor? You made me laugh and you’re an automatic auto buy.
Wendy said on 06.21.11 at 07:16 PM • [link]

Early-mid 20th century please—American or European, doesn’t matter. There’s just so much interesting stuff going on from “new women” to World Wars that alter the way gender relations play out.

I think similarly, if contemporaries are really contemporary, we’d have fewer manly men heroes and a lot more of the struggle of really educated women (who have lived their own lives for 5-15 years post college) with the sort of man-children who are in their age bracket. It’s not The Millionaire Tycoon’s Blushing Secretary as much as it is The Steady Advertising Agent’s Once-Divorced, World Class WOW Player. (And I just reread and thought I sound tremendously bitter, but I honestly think you could make an entertaining story out of the situations my friends and I find ourselves in on a weekendly basis. And Lo! The comedy also requested above.)
cleo said on 06.21.11 at 07:17 PM • [link]

More things that I’d like to see:

1 - Non-traditional gender roles that are presented matter of factly. I’d love to read a book where the heroine makes more than than the hero and it’s not a big deal to either of them. Or where he chooses to stay home with the kids and it’s not a big sacrifice. I wasn’t a huge fan of The Chase by Erin McCarthy but I did like that Evan wasn’t threatened by Kendall’s success as a racer and that caring for his family was more important than his career and that it wasn’t a big deal.

2 - Enough with the Alpha Males! I like reading about sexy, confident men, but I am so sick of these testosterone crazed men with steely gazes and incredible stock portfolios and enormous dicks. Where are the gentle, easy going heroes? Have they all been devoured by macho CEO werewolves?

3 - More books, especially contemporaries, that don’t end with babies. Or with marriage for that matter.

4 - No more sadistic killers written from the killers pov. I hate that in romantic suspense - passages written from the villain’s pov take me out of the story and give me a bad case of the icks.

5 - Lots of well written books about believable, interesting characters who fall in love and make it work. I care more about that than any sub-genre or setting.
cleo said on 06.21.11 at 07:23 PM • [link]

[It’s not The Millionaire Tycoon’s Blushing Secretary as much as it is The Steady Advertising Agent’s Once-Divorced, World Class WOW Player./quote]
giggle. i believe i know that couple. giggle.
cleo said on 06.21.11 at 07:25 PM • [link]

Arggh. Stupid tags.

This is what I meant to post:
It’s not The Millionaire Tycoon’s Blushing Secretary as much as it is The Steady Advertising Agent’s Once-Divorced, World Class WOW Player.

giggle. i believe i know that couple. giggle.
Fresco said on 06.21.11 at 07:25 PM • [link]

@cleo, I agree, no more villain’s POV. It’s completely reduntant, I always skip those pages, who cares what he/she thinks or does to get to the heroine.
Bren said on 06.21.11 at 07:37 PM • [link]

Keep the regencies but make them (and other historical periods) more substantial. Get rid of the fru-fru plotlines, the slapstick comedy and the silly and long rhyming book titles (or borrowed song/movie titles). Also dump the modern way of talking for a more authentic sound to dialogue. I cannot stand a historical h/h speaking sounding like a modern American. Throws me RIGHT out of the book.

As Shakespeare said… “More matter with less art!”

SF and epic fantasy romance would be awesome, with proper worldbuilding.
alma said on 06.21.11 at 07:57 PM • [link]

Can I ask a question about this?

What does everyone think about historicals, perhaps set around the Regency era or slightly before, but taking place in other countries/cultures besides the UK and America? I’ve been dying for different perspectives and a different set of historical markers than only those in the UK and the US—for more stories set in France and Belgium and Italy and Spain or even Denmark or Russia (even if some of the characters are English or American).

But is anyone else interested in this or do you think this would not draw you in at all?
dreadpiraterachel said on 06.21.11 at 07:57 PM • [link]

Non-traditional gender roles that are presented matter of factly. I’d love to read a book where the heroine makes more than than the hero and it’s not a big deal to either of them. Or where he chooses to stay home with the kids and it’s not a big sacrifice.

This! So much of this! I’d also like to see some shameless heroines who are comfortable and confident in their sexuality and who don’t need some alpha with a Mighty Wang to come (heh) along and school them in the pleasures of teh sexxoring. I want heroines to be okay with their sexuality without needing a man to give them permission.

Maybe for once we could have the heroine be the experienced one who blows (heh) the hero’s mind with her mad skillz, which she acquired as a result of practice and experience, rather than having magical, innate instincts. I am soooo tired of reading about the hero who is shocked by the amazing awesomeness of the professional-grade BJ his virgin love interest has just performed. Yeah, she’s completely inexperienced, but somehow she just KNOWS exactly what to do. Give me a break.

Wow. That paragraph was just chock-full of innuendo. I need to get my mind out of the gutter. Also, sorry about the outburst; that rant wasn’t completely expected.
Donna said on 06.21.11 at 08:24 PM • [link]

1. Mmmmm…. Steampunk.
2. Now that the 20th century is so last century, how about romances set 1900 to 1950? There’s such a goldmine there. Wars, Depression, Women’s Sufferage, Prohibition, Flappers, the Influenza Epidemic.
#3. And in that vein: yes, romances that relate to their times. Say what you will about the old skool, you usually learned A LOT about the time period they were set in.
Ann G said on 06.21.11 at 08:26 PM • [link]

Dawn Green—I love the OUTLANDER books by Diana Gabaldon, too. One book that reminds me of this series is A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness. It’s the first book in a series, and the second one comes out in 2012. It’s a thick book, too…and I really like the hero/heroine.
Emily said on 06.21.11 at 08:32 PM • [link]

The Thing I Want Most (Thank, Courtney Milan) is: More middle working class people of any race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I expect at least a few people agree with me. Some days I get tired of magical unexplained money in historicals, and people who are super rich and take so much for granted in contemporaries. I want a shot of realism in contemporaries. I want less brand names. I want less pedigree. I want not every hero who went to college to have gone to the Ivy League.
Other wants include:
smart funny heroines and heroes
contemporaries (maybe historicals too) relationships that are partnerships
geeky smart men
people who are good at their jobs (Nora Roberts is good at this)
fewer babies
multi-ethnic relationships
DianeN said on 06.21.11 at 08:46 PM • [link]

I’ve read and enjoyed several dystopian YAs in the past year, and would love to see something like an adult Hunger Games. I know that some urban fiction qualifies as dystopian, of course, but it seems like a lot of UF is also paranormal—and there’s just too much paranormal right now! I have a sinking feeling that steampunk is the Next Big Thing, and that there isn’t going to be a great enough variety in that genre to sustain it long.

Also, after watching Falling Skies Sunday night—how cool would an aliens take over the planet romance series be? Aliens in romance are usually the heroes, it seems. How about making them the villains, and the romance element takes place among the resistance?
Ann G said on 06.21.11 at 09:00 PM • [link]

I do love the Regency period with dukes, marquesses, etc, and I love the series books. However, I would love to see more “regular” heroes & heroines ( governess with parson, or
store clerk with dairy mad, for instance). I also love the HISTORICAL historicals, with some accurate events in the plot.
I saw THE TUDORS once or twice, and the history was DREADFUL! They actually had someone married to the WRONG person in history.

I do like paranormals, but I LOVE time travel books, and I want to see more of the TTs. I love contemporary books, too. especially in a series.
Anthea Lawson said on 06.21.11 at 09:23 PM • [link]

For those looking for meatier, different settings in their historicals: http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/

I love to see the variety, and length, that authors can play with now that e-publishing is become more and more an option. Connie Brockway’s new novel will be a case in point, I think. :)
Isabel C. said on 06.21.11 at 09:47 PM • [link]

I like paranormals a lot: fantasy, horror, and romance are the three genres I read in, so it’s a chocolate-in-my-peanut-butter situation. Outside of romance, it takes a lot for me to read a book without some supernatural element involved. That said, I’m, like, the only woman in the world who doesn’t find either vampires or werewolves* a turn-on, so I’m okay with moving away from that—though I would absolutely read romance featuring demons or superheroes or aliens.

I also like explicit sex. ;)

That said, I’d love more 20th century romances—or 20th-century UF, actually, which has been a thing I’ve been considering for a while—more confident and experienced heroines, more comedy, and fewer babies. Fewer “settling down” HEAs in general, actually, perhaps because that’s an idea of happiness I have some trouble relating to.

*I actually cannot read about animal-form shapeshifters these days: too much time on the Internet, and what has been seen cannot be unseen. ARGH.
Karen said on 06.21.11 at 10:14 PM • [link]

I really like what Nightwriter said….Iess series, more modern SciFi without crazy alien tentacle sex, and different types of historical. I liked the idea someone had about the early 1900’s. Or what about the ‘60’s? So many revolutionary things happened in that era. But don’t make it too historical - if I wanted to read history, I’d pick up a history book.
Olivia said on 06.21.11 at 10:15 PM • [link]

Where are the gentle, easy going heroes? Have they all been devoured by macho CEO werewolves?

LMFAO.

Count me in for:
—historicals set in the wider world
—early twentieth-century romances
—good sci-fi romances
—Greek mythology/ancient history
—historical fantasy
rebyj said on 06.21.11 at 10:55 PM • [link]

I agree with more early to mid 20th century settings. Even the 70s is ripe for stories.
As I age I want more time travel , send characters back in time with the sense they have now and a 20 year old body and turn them lose for a do over lol.
Maili said on 06.21.11 at 11:00 PM • [link]

@rebyj

I’m still waiting for time travel romances that are little different from the usual time travel romances, such as having - say - a Victorian-era character travelling to the Elizabethan period; a Medieval-era charcter to Ancient Greece, or a Georgian-era character travelling to Edwardian period. I’m really bored with the present-past/vice-versa or present-future/vice-versa set-up.
Niveau said on 06.21.11 at 11:20 PM • [link]

Agreed on:
-multi-racial romances, with more than just one Black and one White character (there are more options than that, y’know, publishers)
-longer page counts for less rushed endings
-leaving-paranormal-stuff-in-the-paranormals
-more realistic contemporaries with less slut-shaming, and more rom coms!
-better history in historicals… with less supposedly-realistic slut-shaming (every time I read a heroine complain about what huge whores all the other ladies are because they have affairs and oh, no, this heroine won’t ever do that, I want to scream)
-wider range in historicals, for location, time period, and characters
-the death of everything-as-a-series; sometimes I don’t want to read about the hero’s fifteen best buddies sequel-baiting
-less sex, as Lisa said, please please please!
-EVERYTHING CLEO SAID, times one billion; cleo, you’re my new favourite person (especially the non-traditional gender roles and non-alpha males)
-everything dreadpiraterachel said in response to what cleo said

In urban fantasy, I’d like heroines who actually are strong, as opposed to the glut of heroines who are supposed to be amazing but need rescuing by a hero when it’s convenient to the romance.
Lynne Connolly said on 06.21.11 at 11:37 PM • [link]

To be honest, I’ll pretty much go anywhere if the author can take me. Sheikhs, billionaires, rakes - as long as they’re real. One of the best books I read recently had all the accepted tropes and yet made the story so delightful, so real, that I loved it - Caitlin Crews’ “Shameless Playboy.” (retitled “The Disgraced Playboy” in the US - why?)
Lizabeth S. Tucker said on 06.22.11 at 12:01 AM • [link]

I wouldn’t mind seeing a return to gothics, if handled well. And Regencies, god do I miss regencies.

I’d love to see more books set during such different time periods, events and locations as Ancient Egypt, Australia Outback, the American Space program, World War I and II, outer space, superheroes and heroines.

Basically, when there is a trend, don’t overplay it. Publish good writing with fantastic characters that I care about and a storyline that doesn’t give me a migraine or make me wince at the stupidity. Do the editing that all professional books deserve, checking facts, spelling and grammar.

added94: I’ve added at least 94 more books just reading SBTB and DA this month.
Ann J said on 06.22.11 at 12:05 AM • [link]

I love Historical and Contemporary Romances. I would like to see longer books that are well written. I wish Judith McNaught and LaVryle Spencer were still writing. I think that Lisa Kleypas, Madeline Hunter, Sherry Thomas, Meredith Duran and Diana Gabaldon are the best authors writing today. I wish more books were like the Outlander series. Well written and grabs your attention.

I am not into Paranormal, witches or vampires.

Give me a good Romantic book (with sex) and I’m a happy camper.
bjvl said on 06.22.11 at 12:05 AM • [link]

I’d love to see more books set during such different time periods, events and locations as Ancient Egypt, Australia Outback, the American Space program, World War I and II, outer space, superheroes and heroines.

Am I the only one who’s enjoyed the Historical Novels (with Romance) of Judith Tarr?

She wrote King and Goddess (about Hatshepsut of Egypt), Eagle’s Daughter (about Byzantium and the Holy Roman Empire), and the fantasy/historical Alamut series (set during the Crusades with Elves in Love, but one’s Christian and one’s Muslim).
LizW65 said on 06.22.11 at 12:23 AM • [link]

Let’s see now…
Ditto those who would like to see more realistic historicals and longer wordcount. Also more stuff set in the late Victorian period, specifically the London of Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper. Love the clothes, the atmosphere, the potential for steampunk-y tech.
And now to my biggest personal peeve: I am sick, sick, SICK of rakes. Regency rakes, Georgian rakes, Victorian rakes, and hot contemporary cops/soldiers/businessmen/Special Forces types/whatever who’ll shag anything with a pulse. It often seems that just about every romance hero has to be some kind of sexual marathon winner who values quantity (and plenty of it!) over quality.
I’d really like to read about a few mature heroes who don’t need to have the hormones and sexual drive of desperate fifteen-year-olds to be appealing. Anyone else with me here?
spamword: time58 No, he doesn’t have to do it 58 times a night to keep this reader happy!
Niveau said on 06.22.11 at 12:31 AM • [link]

Oh, oh, one more thing! I would love it if authors stopped writing characters who act like so much as considering an abortion is a sign that someone has absolutely no worth as a human being. I’m so sick of heroines being incredibly offended when asked about it, of heroes seeing it as the one true sign that a woman is a Gold-Digging Whore(TM), of no one, regardless of how little they can afford to feed themselves, let alone any potential future children, even thinking about whether it might possibly be a half-decent idea. I’d love to see a story in which a heroine had an abortion and didn’t spend the rest of her life punishing herself for it, or in which a hero’s ex had one and he didn’t spend the entire book hating her for ruining his life.
Niveau said on 06.22.11 at 12:33 AM • [link]

@LizW65: hell yes on the rakes! I cannot stand them. What annoys me the most, actually, are the ones who aren’t rakes but whose authors label them as such just because it’s supposedly sexy or something? Not to me, it’s not.
Alpha Lyra said on 06.22.11 at 12:39 AM • [link]

I’ve read several romance novels recently (all new releases) that ended abruptly. Conflict resolved? Boom! THE END! If this is a new trend, I don’t like it. I don’t need an extended epilogue with babies or anything, but can’t I have a few pages to enjoy the hero and heroine’s happiness?
DreadPirateRachel said on 06.22.11 at 01:23 AM • [link]

Niveau said
I would love it if authors stopped writing characters who act like so much as considering an abortion is a sign that someone has absolutely no worth as a human being. I’m so sick of heroines being incredibly offended when asked about it, of heroes seeing it as the one true sign that a woman is a Gold-Digging Whore(TM)

So. Fucking. True. You just became my new favorite person, along with Cleo. I hope any authors and editors who frequent this site are taking notice!
NancyG said on 06.22.11 at 01:42 AM • [link]

As someone who won’t see fifty again, I’d like to see more mature main characters, especially the females (the older hero is less uncommon). Give me some baby-boomer women who’ve earned their gray and don’t mind wearing it!
PJ DEAN said on 06.22.11 at 02:54 AM • [link]

As an author, when I have submitted my works, I have been told that they were well-written, different and cutting edge (interracial historicals without slavery and historicals written without England and Scotland as the background, and interracial romantic sci-fi). Agents and editors have told me that the READER wants the routine and the FAMILIAR. So who is fibbin’? To get my works published, I turned to an ebook press. They are the only sector taking chances on the different. They appreciate the unusual.
Anne said on 06.22.11 at 03:16 AM • [link]

Coming at it from a libraryland perspective, here…

Adults reading Young Adult (YA) literature is not going away anytime soon. Expect to see things like the Hunger Games trilogy to continue to do well. Even if you’ve already come of age, the coming of age novel (bildungsromance) appeals to all segments.

I am sick of paranormal myself. But, paranormal will continue to appeal because there’s a lot of “who am I in this scheme of things and can I love this other species/gifted person” due to the bildungsromance appeal above.

The romantic bildungsromance, it’s all about the bildungsromance. I love saying bildungsromance.

The erotic romance isn’t going anywhere soon, either. We wimmens has come out of the closet and embraced our sensual side. The discretion of reading erotica on an e-reader will only increase consumption.

I’d like to see more contemporary romantic suspense - I’m an adrenaline junky. I’m particularly attached to Suzanne Brockmann, Cindy Gerard and the over-the-top-so-far-it’s-ricockulous Tara Janzen. I like the interplay between members of the teams and that characters can be developed over a series of novels before they have their HEA.

I’m hoping to see more contemporaries with the “gamma” hero. The guy who is neither an alpha nor a wimp. Just a regular gentle dude. The hero and heroine are a team instead of one saving the other. Nora Roberts writes these well. Gamma guys rule.

I’ve spent some time wondering if the saga might make a comeback. That might be less romance and more historical fiction.

I religiously read the monthly briefings from trendwatching.com. Two hot trends right now are Generosity and Random Acts of Kindness. A writer or publisher that can tune in on that and run with it in some way could do very well. No creative ideas from me on that one, just know it would hit a chord with consumers of all types.

spamword: john89 as in “it’s been a busy week on the street”
Bronte said on 06.22.11 at 05:12 AM • [link]

I would love to read more contempories both the gritty kind and the light and fluffy kind. I swear I only get to read about three or four decent ones a year. I would like to see more multi racial romances in contemporary/paranormal romances as well however what I don’t want to read is more unrealistic historical romance. Women dressing in mens clothes was not tolerated, people who married those of other races were shunned, and very very rarely did people marry outside of their class. I love well done historicals, unfortunately they also are few and far between.
Heather said on 06.22.11 at 05:24 AM • [link]

Anna’s post confused me. I thought that the Gamma hero were ones that where just a breath away from being a sociopath. Like some of Anne Stuart’s heros are. Her Gamma sounds more like a Beta boy.

I’d like to see more beta boy heros myself. I
Would like to see more Rom coms myself, but not holding my breath. Humor is so subjective and hard to do. What some may see as a humorous female others may see as a ditz.
Randomreader said on 06.22.11 at 05:32 AM • [link]

What y’all said about multi-racial couples, non-alpha heroes. Confident, experienced heroines with plenty of simmering emotion and attraction before getting busy. Less detailed play by play. More steampunk, science fiction, futuristic elements, fewer shapeshifters. Settings and time periods other than the usual suspects. Okay, publishers, here’s your free market research!
bjvl said on 06.22.11 at 05:49 AM • [link]

Niveau said
I would love it if authors stopped writing characters who act like so much as considering an abortion is a sign that someone has absolutely no worth as a human being. I’m so sick of heroines being incredibly offended when asked about it, of heroes seeing it as the one true sign that a woman is a Gold-Digging Whore(TM)

DreadPirateRachel added
So. Fucking. True. You just became my new favorite person, along with Cleo. I hope any authors and editors who frequent this site are taking notice!

Oh, thank you. I read a really good story in fanfiction once ....I think it was Dr. Quinn?... that had another female character making that choice, and it was BRILLIANT. And that character was still a decent human being and a good mom afterwards.

I wish I could find that story again. It was awesome.
kkw said on 06.22.11 at 06:07 AM • [link]

I am terrible at predicting what will be popular, but as far as what I’d like to see: I am underwhelmed by the steampunk. I enjoy paranormal, but there is too much of it, and too much of it bad. I love regency, and will continue to buy them, but again I’d be thrilled if there were fewer lousy ones. Now that I think of it, in some ways the worst thing that can happen to a sub-genre is for it to become popular because it becomes harder to find the good ones amidst all the pulp, in which case all the bandwagon jumpers please head toward steampunk and suspense. Oh, and inspirational. Inspirational means religious, right?
I think part of the problem with historicals set further back in time is it becomes increasingly difficult for me not to be irritated by alarmingly modern conversation, or bogged down by old-fashioned syntax. I’d be interested in a trend away from English history, but not so much if it’s just American or Australian instead. Romance that’s not just upper classes would work for me.
Bronte said on 06.22.11 at 08:18 AM • [link]

KKW, I’m not sure there’s anything upper class about Australian History. Penal colonies tend not to be big on balls and routs. More like rape, hard labour with a side of slaughter of the local aborigine population.
sarah mayberry said on 06.22.11 at 08:54 AM • [link]

I don’t have a crystal ball, so I won’t try to predict the future. I love a good historical - don’t care which era as long as the characters are engaging and fascinating and the emotions real. I think my favorite sub-genre is contemporary, however, and I feel pretty much starved of good options in this area. I like a bit of humor, smarts and heart and I want to really feel for the characters (if I get a good chest ache going, you are on my auto buy list, authors!) SEP used to be my go-to, but I’ve read all her backlist. Lisa Kleypas won me forever with her Texas trilogy - and I want more stories like these. Intense, sexy, romantic, emotional…
Ann Somerville said on 06.22.11 at 09:53 AM • [link]

More like rape, hard labour with a side of slaughter of the local aborigine population.

Good honest aristocratic traditions, if you ask me.

We did/do have the squattocracy which could easily match any European bluebloods in arrogance, conspicuous consumption and class loyalty. And of course Australia does lay claim to the real heir to the British throne.

Count me as another who wants less sex in books. All books. Bored now.
Mitzi Flyte/Macie Carter said on 06.22.11 at 11:39 AM • [link]

1) Less sex (in novels, ladies, in novels) and more plot and characterization. And this coming from a writer whose first publication was an erotic romance. Sex in romance novels these days seems to be plopped in the plot for no reason - just to have a sex scene or just to make the book “HOT”.
2) AMERICAN history, please. We have a great history - let’s use it. I grew up reading American historicals (all genres). I’d give $100 for a good ACW book
3) Humorous paranormals…ahem..mainly because I’m pitching one next week.
Alex said on 06.22.11 at 01:59 PM • [link]

I’m looking for something new and interesting that has elements of mystery, darkness,www.silagraonline.eu
and maybe a dash of fantasy/magic.slimex reviews
I’m an adult, so no worries for suggesting something mature.
Susan Blexrud said on 06.22.11 at 03:05 PM • [link]

With the 150-year anniversary of the Civil War just beginning, I think we’ll see a resurgence in Civil War-themed love stories. The New York Times and other major newspapers are featuring books and articles about the Civil War, and that is sure to spark some thoughts among romance writers.

Like Lisa, I’m for less sex and more romance. It’s the tension that counts.
Hannah said on 06.22.11 at 03:21 PM • [link]

Can I ask a question about this?

What does everyone think about historicals, perhaps set around the Regency era or slightly before, but taking place in other countries/cultures besides the UK and America? I’ve been dying for different perspectives and a different set of historical markers than only those in the UK and the US—for more stories set in France and Belgium and Italy and Spain or even Denmark or Russia (even if some of the characters are English or American).

But is anyone else interested in this or do you think this would not draw you in at all?

Sad, but true—in nearly every book about writing romance novels that I’ve read, the advice that’s given is that Scandinavian or [fill in the blank with other rarely used nationality] heroes just don’t sell. Maybe the names aren’t sexy enough—I don’t know? But clearly there are a lot of readers looking for new and different settings *and* characters.
cleo said on 06.22.11 at 03:46 PM • [link]

@Niveau and DreadPirateRachel - thanks! you made my day. Really enjoying everyone’s comments on this thread.
Emily said on 06.22.11 at 04:02 PM • [link]

I agree with the Historicals in other locations/time periods sentiment. Not that I don’t enjoy “the usual” but there are lots of interesting settings/eras out there to write about. Ditto on the “more regular people” too.

Enjoy humor and wit in novels but don’t want slapstick or cringe-worthy laughs where it’s about laughing AT and not WITH.

I like sex but there better be plot. Lots and lots of plot.

Definitely over the alpha hero. Not that they should all go away, but I want my heroes more like the men I know in real life (I’m a lucky girl, I know some great guys).

I think what keeps me from reading a lot of contemporaries is that the hero always seems to be some rich dude at the ripe young age of 32. I’d love if dude was normal. With a normal job, normal bank account, etc. And I don’t want stupid heroines. If the man cheats, dump his ass. (Can I say ass here?) If he still blames his mama for every little thing wrong in his life, run away. I also don’t want “agenda” in my stories. I don’t want smack talk about stay-at-home-moms (I am one) or working moms (my BFF is one). In other words, I just don’t want to read a story that attempts to make me, as a woman, feel bad about myself.

YA Is a trend I don’t see disappearing although I can’t really get into any. Although, Twilight is what brought me back to reading books. There. I said the dreaded “T” word. But the YA trend is here to stay, IMO.

And it looks like I’m going to have to check out this steampunk thing. But first I’ll need to google or wiki it to try to figure out what the heck that word even means. Did I even contribute anything to this topic? Probably not.
LizW65 said on 06.22.11 at 04:09 PM • [link]

I’d like to second (or fourth or fifth?) those who want less sex. I’m not a prude, and I’m fine with it if it actually, ya know, advances the story line, but so many sex scenes feel like they’ve been shoehorned into stories because they’re what the public expects, or the editor demands it, or something. Plus, the vast majority are poorly written and all sound the same after the first half-dozen or so. (“Let’s see…I haven’t used throbbing in a while, let’s stick that one in…”) Less sex and more real character development, please!
crow girl said on 06.22.11 at 04:14 PM • [link]

Lizabeth S. Tucker said…
I wouldn’t mind seeing a return to gothics

Me, too. I cut my eye teeth on a collection of used Victoria Holt, Phyllis A Whitney, Barbara Michaels, and Mary Stewart novels that my aunt starting giving me when I was about 13 or so. Those were the first ‘adult’ novels I ever read … and I still have a great fondness for them. (Probably one of the first heroes I fell in love with was Riley from Into the Darkness. I still find myself on the look-out for dark, brooding heroes who limp.)

I’d love for the modern gothic romance to make a resurgence.

The most similar books I’ve come across in recent years are by Susanna Kearsley (Mariana, The Shadowy Horses, etc). They have the right amount of romance, mystery, spookiness, and “deep dark secrets.” (!)

I’d like to find more of the same. (Unfortunately, whenever I do a search for “gothic,” about 100 paranormals starring vampires pop up in response.)
Raylee said on 06.22.11 at 08:02 PM • [link]

More contemporary stories with blue collar people, instead of high-powered careers.

Small town stories. Not someone going back home, but choosing to live in a small town.

Stories set in other countries, such as Mexico, France, Canada, Japan, etc. I always wanted to see the everyday life of someone living in a small town in France.

Besides present day, contemporaries ranging from the 1920s to 1990s.

GLBTQ. Mutli-racial. People with physical disabilities. Just an everyday female or male lead who uses a dog for his/her sight—oh, and they happen to meet Mr. or Ms. Right. What about a hero or heroine in a wheelchair, but it’s their love interest who has personal issues to overcome?
Anna C. Bowling said on 06.22.11 at 10:49 PM • [link]

I would love to see a return to a wider variety of settings for historicals - different eras and locations. Let’s take a step out of the Regency drawing room and out into the wide world. I would love to read and write love stories that take place in the Netherlands, Italy, Australia, etc.

-Bigger books, both in size and in scope. Bring back the sagas that can play out over years instead of weeks and span oceans and continents.

-historical romances that truly are both. Use the history. Let the characters be people of their time, not modern day Americans in costumes. Let the times they live in influence their lives and their love, and let the focus be on the building of the love relationship. Sex doesn’t always have to be center stage.
Lizabeth S. Tucker said on 06.23.11 at 12:33 AM • [link]

More of what I’d love to see:

Steampunk and/or Victorian romances. Again if done right. I wouldn’t mind reading some m/m set in that period as well ala Sherlock Holmes.

Less sex. No prude here, but sometimes it seems like there is a sex scene quota in books, every so many pages depending on the type of book. And I’d really like to see less “Hi, how are you. Let’s have sex!” Could the hero and heroine at least get to know each other first before jumping into bed. Or in the bushes. Or against a wall. Or behind a curtain. Frankly, I love to see romances of all periods where the hero and heroine are friends first, then come to fall in love.

Gratutious sex, like gratutious violence is an easy out for authors and publishers. Although I tend to blame publishers and editors more than the poor writers.

Paranormals and Urban Fantasy romances have their places, but when publishers glut the market, it makes it difficult to find the good among the dreck.

I’m not totally against series, but make them like the J. D. Roberts’ Eve Dallas series where each book brings new people into the series with a reason. And who don’t just disappear, but layer the universe we’re reading about.

As to science fiction romances, with the exception of Jayne Ann Krentz’s Harmony series, I tend to go find them in the SF section. I read Anne McCaffrey, Lois McMaster Bujold, and other female SF writers who bring romance into their universes. The majority of SF romances are weak on the SF or written by people who don’t really know that anything about the genre. Even Robert Heinlein had a few good romantic SFs, mostly short stories.

Alpha heroes are okay, but brutal or abusive ones are not. But I do miss the nice guys that show up every once in a while, the guys who work hard for a living, who don’t have unprotected sex, who can’t afford to take vacations to exotic lands, who aren’t sheiks or gadzillionaires or Super SEALs or bowlegged cowboys. What is wrong with working class heroes? Maybe it is the lack of fantasy that keeps them from appearing too often.
EbonyMcKenna said on 06.23.11 at 01:26 AM • [link]

The huge trend is that ferrets are the new vampires ;-)

Can’t attend RWA this year, but I’ll be at RWAust in Melbourne in August. Woot!
CarrieS said on 06.23.11 at 01:54 AM • [link]

I haven’t read the whole thread so please excuse the repetition. I would love to see more sci fi in print, not just avail as ebooks, and I’d specifically like to see writing that is well written as romance and as sci fi, and not erotica. It’s not that I have an objection to erotica, I just think we could use some sci fi romance that isn’t set on “So and So’s Pleasure Planet”. The prudes among us (me!) like sci fi romance too! And I love me some cross-over, but I really think we could get more sci fi with the romance as the central focus. Also would like to see more diversity among characters - different ethnicities, differently-abled, etc.
cleo said on 06.23.11 at 02:40 AM • [link]

@Emily - Amen to normal heroes and smart heroines. And steampunk refers to books set in the Victorian era / era powered by steam engines with alternate history or fantasy elements thrown in. It’s also a sub culture that I know next to nothing about, except that I’ve had a couple goth-y type students who were into it - making steam punk style gagets and clothing and selling them.
Karin said on 06.23.11 at 05:41 AM • [link]

I’ve pretty much gone over to historicals, because the contemporary authors I used to read back in the day(Elizabeth Lowell, Linda Howard, Jayne Ann Krentz) don’t do much straightup romance anymore. At least there’s still Lisa Kleypas who can do a great contemporary. And I’ll continue to read those ridiculous Harlequin Presents books, because sometimes you’re just in the mood for junk food.
Speaking of locations outside of England, both Loretta Chase and Anne Gracie have done books set in Egypt, and that was pretty cool. And I just read Vienna Waltz, which was fantastically romantic despite no explicitness at all. So yeah, I would follow a good author anywhere in the world. I guess I am one of the few who’s not crazy about the Victorian era, but I’ll take pre-Georgian, going all the way back to medieval, it makes a nice change from the Regency.
Lilian Darcy said on 06.23.11 at 05:42 AM • [link]

But I think there’s often a disconnect between what we say we want as readers and what we actually buy, e.g. a Medical Romance editor said to me years ago, “Readers are always saying they want older heroes and heroines, but when authors write them, they don’t sell.” And indeed that was my experience when I wrote a 50 y.o. H and h. If I’m honest, too, I’m more of a risk taker as a writer than as a reader. I might claim to want my reading boundaries pushed, but when it comes to the crunch, nine times out of ten, I reach for the comfort read.
Karin said on 06.23.11 at 05:43 AM • [link]

Also adding; I do read a few paranormals and sci-fi romances, but I’ve never read a vampire book and I never will.
Literary Slut Kilian said on 06.24.11 at 05:11 AM • [link]

I want to read books I can download to my Kindle for $9.99 or less. The End. Period.

days63 - I could read around the clock for 63 days straight just with what I’ve already downloaded and not run out of reading material. Ebooks that cost more than dead-tree books - so not happening for me.

Genre? I reads them all. I’m not a literary slut for nothing.
Ann Somerville said on 06.24.11 at 07:04 AM • [link]

The huge trend is that ferrets are the new vampires ;-)

So last year, dear :)
Lydia Storm said on 06.24.11 at 04:49 PM • [link]

Personally, I’m into steampunk right now and would LOVE more gothic - not paranormal - old school gothic!
Laylapalooza said on 06.25.11 at 10:35 PM • [link]

Oh boy. Here’s a list of my hopes and dreams for the genre:

(1) Romance novels set in the 16th or 17th century. For serious. As much as I love me some regency romances (and I do), there are other historical periods filled with pretty dresses and interesting social dynamics, scientific developments, and political upheaval to write about.

(2) Lesbian romance novels that move past coming-out stories or the will-they/won’t-they stuff. If I had one wish, this would be it. Also, well-written lesbian historical romances that aren’t basically 20th-century women running around with 20th-century sexual politics in their heads playing dress-up in the 19th-century. God, a greater variety of LGBT-focused romances would be nice.

(3) More good sci-fi romance. Jayne Castle’s books, already mentioned in this thread somewhere I think, are great examples of this.

(4) Friends? Actual friends. Women have friends (not competition). Men have friends. Relationships don’t exist in a vacuum. Also: Any romance novel that follows the Bechdel rule.

(5) Books where women actually get to make choices (and are not always forced by unfortunate circumstances, alpha males, and shitty families - I think Courtney Milan rocks at this pretty hard).

I have no idea what will happen.