I’m a bit late getting this post up - sorry, I was up until 2:00am getting line edits done only for my son to wake me up at 7:00am to talk to his girlfriend’s parents. She’s coming to spend the afternoon with us and it’s going to be interesting to see if she can decipher what the bags under my eyes and my strident need for caffeine actually means.
Well, there are some hot debates going on today on various blogs. One such subject is the difference between erotic romance and erotica.
I don’t happen to write erotica, but is there anything wrong with it? No, not in my opinion. Some people like it, some people don’t. But I do believe that if it’s a duck, you should label it a duck instead of calling it a chicken (which I like baked with lots of ginger).
For example, my debut book PRIMED TO POUNCE, published by Ellora’s Cave, received four stars from Romantic Times (RT). The reviewer enjoyed the plot, the chemistry between the hero and heroine, and that fact that the heroine was a kick-butt type woman. She also enjoyed the romance AND the sex.
But what most people don’t know is that the same book was rejected by Kensington Aphrodesia because it wasn’t hot enough and the heroine was too old with too much baggage.
Turned out they were looking for EROTICA. It didn’t matter that the line was called erotic romance, it wasn’t what they were looking for.
So here’s my questions: 1) Do you think that some of the pubs are mislabeling the genres? 2) Have you had an experience where you picked up a book expecting a romance with a happily-ever-after, only to find it was erotic (no HEA required, sex just ’cause, and not necessarily a romance) ?
I think they aren’t just mislabling the genres, they’re doing it deliberately. Publishing houses are afraid if they don’t stick the “romance” after “erotic”, it will affect shelf space and sales.
I haven’t bought any books that disappointed myself, but I rely heavily on my writing and reader groups for recommendations; usually I buy books by friends or recommended by them. But if the publishers don’t correct themselves, I’m sure I will pick one up eventually
by Ember Case April 29th, 2007 at 4:56 pmHey Ember,
I’m hearing the same thing you’re saying from other readers who basically expect to get what the label on the book claims it is.
Thanks for your seventy two cents, woman :D
TJ
by TJ Michaels April 29th, 2007 at 6:11 pmAre SOME publishers mislabeling? YES! I think some of them don’t understand the difference. I think some of them want to call something romance that isn’t, just to get the sales.
What you’re missing is that not every instance of something labeled romance that isn’t is erotica. Some are dark romance genre. That’s a BIG problem in mislabeling these days, especially since genre romance demands a HEA and dark romance genre, like erotica, does not have to provide one. They can also both break basic tenants of genre romance…those things a genre romance reader expect in any book labeled romance.
I’m honest on my site. I will tell you if a book is sensual romance, erotic romance, dark romance or erotica. I will tell you if a book has a HEA, atypical HEA or no HEA. Why the publishers can’t/won’t always be so honest is a mystery to me. Do you really WANT to tick off readers? I don’t. Moreover, it’s doing a disservice to both the readers and the author/book to classify it wrong.
Have I ever bought a book touted as erotic romance that was really erotica? YES! I have. Surprisingly, it was an early Ellora’s Cave book…many years ago. I don’t think you’re likely to find its like again there…and thank goodness for that!
Brenna
by Brenna Lyons April 29th, 2007 at 6:21 pmHey Brenna,
See, that’s what I’m talking about - just be real. I like that you have the info on your site so if a reader stops at your site before heading buying, they know exactly what they’re getting.
And lord knows you’re right about not wanting to piss off readers. As an author, I’m a big reader FIRST.
As for EC, they’ve done something smart - started a new line that’s strictly erotica so when you visit that line you know what you’re getting.
TJ
by TJ Michaels April 29th, 2007 at 7:02 pmI do think that some publishers are mislabeling books. Erotica and Erotic Romance are two distinctly different genres. I’ve read complaints from readers who thought they were getting erotic romance and weren’t thrilled to get erotica.
Nothing wrong with either genre–they’re just different. And it’s not just in erotica that books are being mislabeled. I think some publishers are slapping “romance” on books because they know it sells, but what they don’t understand is that disappointed romance readers talk amongst one another. It’s sad, because it’s not the author’s fault.
by NJ Walters April 30th, 2007 at 3:58 pmHey NJ,
You know, I hadn’t thought about books of other genres being mislabeled, too. I spend most of my time in the romance arena, but I do enjoy sci-fi and fantasy. I’d be upset if I picked up a Terry Brooks book or an R.A. Salvatore book and found it was something other than sci-fi/fantasy.
And you’re so right - it’s not the author’s fault if the pub decides to send an incorrect category to the bookstores.
I was in Barnes and Noble and the ‘book lady’ told me that even if they know a book is romance, they have to put it in whatever category the computer system tells them. And that category is provided by the publisher.
by TJ Michaels April 30th, 2007 at 4:46 pmOKay, I rarely get involved in this debate because it will never end. However, this isn;t a huge argument, (plus I’m a week behind) so I’m gonna voice my opinion anyway.
I started out writing erotica before erotic romance was even a genre, so I feel like I have a good handle on what the differences are. BUT, it is also subjective.
Imight think a book is really hot, and you might think it’s tame. I might classify it as erotica, you might classify it as erotic romance. The problem, IMO, lies in the fact that what each genre is IS subjective. Therefor, if an editor/publisher is asking for Erotic Romance, and they get a story that can also be classified as erotica, should they so “No I won’t publish this?” even if it’s a great story? Publishers, and readers, say over and over that first and foremost, they want a good story.
Some erotica stories can be classified as erotic romance. Some romances can also blur the line and be classed as erotica. So who decides where that line is? Again, it’s subjective.
Sure ER should have a HEA, but what a HEA is can also be subjective. Traditional, atypical, HEA for the main character even if it’s not a romantic one….
OKay, enough abotu the differences, if you want to knwo more abotu what *I* think the differences are, I wrote an article on it a long time ago. You can Read it here.
Publishers ~ I think they lable them erotic romance for more than one reason. Placement in stores, the market are part of it. But also because the sub-genres are blurring and it is subjective. And because this is a relatively new area for NY publishers to tackle.
My advice is make your choices by author, by blurbs and excerpts, or buy thumbing through the book at the store., Don’t depend on any line to define what the story holds. (Except maybe category romances. LOL )
sorry… stepping off my soapbox now. :)
by Sasha May 7th, 2007 at 1:31 pm