Is there a way to introduce and sustain a division of romance titles specifically for the untapped male audience? Maybe it can't be called "Romance". The mere effort would generate a lot of publicity, and women readers might buy them for men. Jeff
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Deborah Kemper, that's great you have some male followers! I would love to have male followers. A great story, a happy ending. I think it should work for both sexes.
I write romance and have a few men who follow me. Most of my books are adventurous romance or dramatic romance. The books are marketed to reach an audience beyond women. My covers generally reflect the content to some degree without scantily dressed men and women in prom dresses.
Current work in progress is the exception to my norm as I'm challenged to write a sweet romance.
I used to belong to Romance Writers of America. Back then 10% of our readers were men. It may be even more now. Authors like Sherrilyn Kenyon (one of my favorites!) have snagged male readers with her Dark Hunters series and The League. Strong characters, action and a fast paced plot have shown these readers how good romance can be. I think its wonderful men are discovering romance writers and enjoying what we have to offer them as readers.
I think what Jane Colt has mentioned is part of the equation but not all. I believe as romance writers write heroes that men find believable they will read about monogamous relationships. As I mentioned above, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Angela Knight write heroes guys can relate to, they talk, think and act like men. Not all men like or want to read porn.
Great question!
Jane, I think you probably hit the nail on the head. Which goes to show that men and women really are different.
So, if someone figured out how to expand the romance market to men on a regular basis, not just a novel every so often, that person could become a multimillionaire. Any takers?
\o/ I'll do it, but I shouldn't give away my secret weapons.
Seriously, there's already a market. It's called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and the teen and adult male fan base are called, "Bronies" I'm not kidding!
My comic book creating nerd boy in Brazil whose fantasy novel/series I translated for an "American" audience, used the pony principles and manga elements (innuendo, comic relief, epic storyline) to weave his magic. I have to say it was very entertaining.
On the normal side of bromantic novels.
If you watch 30 Rock, there was an idea for female porn that had hot shirtless guys, nodding and listening. That's was awesome!
I think men are misunderstood. While it can't be argued they're sort of driven by sex, they are capable of falling in love and enjoying an intelligent story that has romance in it , but it can't be driven by it. Erotica for men IMHO, is not the same as for women,so that will have to be reflected in the characters and sex scenes. They think about it way before they actually do it and if there's noting in the works, they'll revert to past experiences.
Now if a bromantic interlude occurred a few times in a thriller or science fiction novel, they can read while sitting next to their lady love, I don't think they'd mind.
I agree with you Sangay! Excellent points made.
I have heard of the Bronies. My husband introduced to me to the best anime series, Trinity Blood. It has complex characters and storyline. Romance threads, action. Just an amazing series.
Hugs,
Tambra
What if the women in "for men" books served milk and cookies after lovemaking, prepared wonderful breakfasts in the morning, and were on call every afternoon to soothe a man's daily frustrations?
To be honest, I don't know what the market is like in Germany, as I haven't seen it first hand. But I know they take literature very important. Remember it's the home to the famous Frankfurt Book Fair, which is the largest book fair in Europe. Kobo also have their main EU offices in Germany.
Covers on German erotica are pretty much like other erotica book. But their kink is pretty kinky. Leather definitely dominates, whips and such, too. The women in particularly enjoy the dominatrix end of things and the men enjoy being subdued. I think it counterbalances how they are in real life. Germans tend to be very fastidious, precise, strong work ethic . . . rules are rules kind of people. But when they let loose to enjoy their fantasies, they want to be the opposite as they are in real life. But then, don't most of us want to be different than our real selves when we fantasize? What's the fun of a fantasy if we're just the same then as always? ;-)
Some of the traditional brands have crossed into erotica, and many (maybe most) covers are erotic. But the term erotica sounds feminine, whereas porn sounds masculine. I suggest that men won't buy books classified as romance, and may not even buy books classified as erotica, but will buy books classified as porn. Is there evidence one way or the other?
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