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Some Industry News . . .

Jul 15th 2007Karen Hawkins
Karen HawkinsOn Writing!

All romance authors (well, GODDESS romance authors) love to go to RWA National Convention every year. Why? Because we get to see each other and our agents and editors face to face and share some good time. But we also love it because we get to check the pulse of this industry, that we love so much.

So there, among all of the hugs and laughs, are tidbits of industry news. What sort of news? Well, the three biggest tidbits I gleaned were:

1) Beginning in October or so, the New York Times is going to split the trade paperbacks off of the paperback fiction best-selling list which is great news for your goddesses! Every August, because of colleges posting the same required reading lists, a number of trade paperbacks appear on the list and push off the mass market books. Next year, this won’t happen.

2) I had two buyers from two different book suppliers tell me that historical fiction is on the rise and that paranormal is dropping, especially light paranormals.

and 3) The Goddess Readers are the BEST. I talked to so many authors who’ve said they lurk on our board and are so envious of the great posters we have here. You guys made us The Most Envied Blog!

I know there will be other tidbits of gossip, but I’ll let the other goddesses share that information with you. Meanwhile, send good vibes to your goddesses today as they return home.

From us to you, thank you guys for being such great Goddess Readers!

So tell us, what do you think of Tidbit #2? Do you think the historical market is back on the rise? That light paranormals are on the wan? Does that reflect your buying habits of late?

34 Comments »

34 Responses to “Some Industry News . . .”

  1. gannon on 15 Jul 2007 at 9:40 am #

    Thanks for sharing the news, Karen. I’m glad to hear that the historicals are on the rise again. I’ve always loved them! Paranormals are another fave of mine, but I tend not to go for “light”.

    Hope you enjoyed the conference. Will we see you on Grandfather Mountain next year, mingling with the Scots? FYI, there were some great legs on those kilt-clad men. :)

    I’ll be sending Kim our pictures soon, and she’ll be in touch with you about a report from the Games.

  2. Nicole Jordan on 15 Jul 2007 at 10:02 am #

    Well, I sure agree with #3. Our Goddess readers are the BEST!!

    And I can’t wait to see pics from RWA and the Highland games! I know our resident goddesses, but it’ll be great fun to put names to faces of others.

    Also, I for one am very happy to hear that historicals are on the rise *bg*. Thanks for the update, Karen.

    NicoleJ

  3. doglady on 15 Jul 2007 at 10:12 am #

    I am tickled to death to hear that historicals are on the rise. I am doing my part as I buy stacks of historicals every week. Checking out the Goddess rolls I buy those historicals every single time. I WOULD buy the next one in Karen’s series if it would hurry up and get out there! You can thank your roomie, Suzanne Enoch and SINS OF THE DUKE for tiding me over!

    I am also a big fan of paranormals, but I have a shorter list of writers of that genre whose books I buy every time. I am a big believer in trying a new author when their first paranormal comes out, but it has to be really good to make me buy the next one.

  4. Manuelita on 15 Jul 2007 at 11:17 am #

    Historicals are on the rise again? Well, from MY buying habits, they never fell. *g*

    As for paranormals, I’m not quite sure what “light” means. I was never into shape shifters or vampires or werewolves, that kind of stuff. I do, however, like stories with fairies and good witches. Is that considered “light paranormal”?

    PS - Where are the conference and RITA night pictures? I can’t wait to see them!!

  5. Patty L on 15 Jul 2007 at 11:20 am #

    I have never like paranormals so the news that the demand is decreasing does not bother me.

    On the other hand, I love a good historical. I admit to passing over a historical sometimes to buy the newest contemporary, but I always end up picking it back up.

    So thank you goddess for your wonderful blog and for those of you wrtiting historicals.

  6. Karen Hawkins on 15 Jul 2007 at 12:44 pm #

    We’ll have your goddess authors post their pics in a blog one day this week, with captions, of course!

    Personally, I love all sorts of books, including paranormals, but I have to say that I am, and always will be, a sucker for an historical.

    Btw, I’m not kidding about people - authors and editors alike - commenting on the bloggers here, how delightful you all are and how funny … you guys make this place. :D

  7. TinaLouiseF on 15 Jul 2007 at 12:46 pm #

    I’d rather read a historical than a paranormal.

  8. elsiehogarth on 15 Jul 2007 at 12:47 pm #

    Historicals are my all time favorites. I am riding the paranormal wave because it took 15 years for it to get where it is now. I think it will still be around because of some the great writers and books that are out by: Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Kresley Cole, Lori Handeland, MaryJanice Davidson, Charlaine Harris, Amanda Ashley, Shannon Drake(Heather Graham),Dawn Thompson, Kathryn Smith, Christine Feehan etc.

  9. Bonnie on 15 Jul 2007 at 12:47 pm #

    I’m delighted that historicals are on the rise. They are my favorite sub-genre and I read tons of them.

  10. Lismore on 15 Jul 2007 at 1:29 pm #

    Completely agree with #2. I love historicals, not a big fan of paranormal, light or heavy.

  11. Stacy S on 15 Jul 2007 at 1:56 pm #

    I love historicals. It’s what I first started reading. So, thats good news. I’ve only read a little of paranormal. Not sure about it.

  12. jessie on 15 Jul 2007 at 2:25 pm #

    I’m so excited that historicals are on the rise. I love them. I’ll only read paranormals if they are by an author whose historicals I’ve liked. So this makes me very happy.

  13. catslady on 15 Jul 2007 at 2:32 pm #

    Personally I think historicals were always still popular and they didn’t know what they were talking about. I think like some politicians that if publishers say something often enough they think it’s true lol. I think they like to pick a new genre to boost sales somehow but then I think some authors write a particular genre only because it’s the “in” thing. Anyway, I have always loved historicals but I also give everything a chance.

  14. helen on 15 Jul 2007 at 2:34 pm #

    I only read historicals and I buy lots of them so this really pleases me keep them coming I say because I will keep reading them and I think you guys are great I love this blog.
    Have Fun
    Helen

  15. Stacy ~ on 15 Jul 2007 at 2:38 pm #

    I am a huge fan of historicals, and am always glad that they are popular again. I think they always will be - I’ve loved them for over 20 yrs and can’t see myself ever giving them up.

    Paranormals, light and dark, are a nice change of pace, but it’s not what keeps me coming back to romance. Overall though, I enjoy a strong story, good writing, and characters I can either relate to and/or care about.

  16. foreverdelayed on 15 Jul 2007 at 2:51 pm #

    I actually prefer the lighter paranormals to the dark ones. I am glad to see that historicals are on the rise. I didn’t realize they had fallen in sales.

    I am glad to hear everyone had such a good time time at the convention.

  17. Judy F on 15 Jul 2007 at 3:24 pm #

    I love the lighter paranormals they are the only kind of that type I read. Don’t care much for the darker ones.

    Hope everyone had a great time this week

  18. Darla on 15 Jul 2007 at 5:25 pm #

    I read them all….the biggest reason I read is because I can take a break from my problems and daily life to relax and enjoy either the past, present or something totally out of this world. I have enjoyed untold hours of fantastic entertainment through the eyes of many talented authors and I thank you each and every one! Don’t stop with any type, their all great!

  19. Brandy on 15 Jul 2007 at 6:05 pm #

    I read the lighter paranormals. The darker ones are, well, a bit too dark!
    Glad to hear the news about historicals, but I hadn’t noticed a wane in the demand for them!

  20. Ann in IL on 15 Jul 2007 at 6:34 pm #

    The only thing better than a historical is a SCOTTISH historical.

    Paranormals are just too weird for me. Light, heavy whatever…….I don’t read them.
    I prefer to read about REAL people, not half human changelings or whatever.

  21. MJ on 15 Jul 2007 at 7:08 pm #

    Me too.

    Can’t get into paranormals at all. So no heartbreak there.

    I LOVE historicals. I’d say that over 90% of my reading is currently historical romance (and this is even though I haven’t entirely abandoned my mystery reading habits). I like some contemporary romance, but will ALWAYS reach for a historical if there’s one there….and I only binge read historicals now (you know - read read read and munch Nacho Cheese Doritos or other horrible food for a weekend or so, until my eyes fall out of my head - for a reward when I’ve been working very very hard. I only get to do this a couple of times a year unfortunately.)

    If this means the publishers will take on more historical titles, GREAT.
    !Get busy you fabulous goddesses! Meet that demand! (-;

  22. Ellen on 15 Jul 2007 at 7:48 pm #

    Considering my email address is HensonHistorical, I think we all know how happy I am to hear this.

    However, incredible writing can be in any genre and still be incredible. I NEVER picked up anything but historical until I met Karen Rose and Lani Diane Rich at the RWA in Dallas a few years back. They were so engaging as women, I just had to check out their books. Great move on my part.

    AND…If anyone ever asks you goddesses why you waste your time Blogging, tell them that Ellen went to Barnes & Nobel with all your names on a piece of paper. I enjoy you so much as women, I can only hope I enjoy your writing the same.

    While my heart will always be in the historicals, great talent will always make me take the book home to become part of my life.

    I cannot wait to hear all about the conference.

    See ya tomorrow.
    Ellen

  23. pri.r. on 15 Jul 2007 at 8:52 pm #

    Manuelita i’m fully with you. Who knew hisotrical were down in the first place?especially considering i have not one but 56 historical romance reads on last count… NAYY i have 57 as of yesterday’s cheeky buy of Kresley Cole’s “If you Desire”… which brings me to the paranormal side of this discussion. personally i ahve no clue as to the difference between normal paranormal and ‘light’ paranormal… if someone would care to inform me would be greatly appreciated… but otherwise i have found this new liking to what i think is paranormal, it all started when i purchased Kresley Cole’s “A Hunger like No Other” … i found it a thrilling read and thus i bought the 2nd in the series… “No Rest for the Wicked” i loved both and i think maybe my liking for the paranormal is only really for that series…. because i wasn’t really fond of Johanna Lindsey’s out of this world characters… otherwise though, i’m waiting anxiously to get my hands on Kresley’s 3rd Immortals After Dark book.

  24. Julia London on 15 Jul 2007 at 9:48 pm #

    I, for one, am thrilled to pieces historical are making a comeback :-).

    I loved meeting up with the goddesses! I am wiped out right now but will tell all their secrets later.

  25. KMB25 on 15 Jul 2007 at 10:56 pm #

    Hello all–I hope those of you who went to RWA had a safe trip back from Dallas! I just got back this evening from the Grandfather Mtn. Highland games–had a wonderful time and finally met Gannon!! She’s an awesome person and she’s got a great family!

    BTW…we have some yummy pics coming soon with me and Gannon and the yummy scotsmen that y’all write about(actually it’s the boys from Albannach)…and Karen H…they were REALLY yummy this year!!!

    Anyhoo..to put my two cents in, I really like the historicals–that’s most of what I read, but I actually just finished a few books–one by Kat Martin (The Summit) which was a paranormal, and one by Mary Jo Putney (The Marriage Spell) and they were both fabulous books! …I suppose it should be mentioned at least that MJP’s book WAS historical in nature…so I suppose that doesn’t apply. Anyways, I certainly hope that historicals continue to rise in popularity…that just means certain goddesses need to write more of them!!

    ~Kim

  26. Pam P on 15 Jul 2007 at 11:27 pm #

    Yay for the historical comeback, though I agree with catslady, I don’t think it was the readers they were unpopular with, too many of us commenting all around how we want more. I do love paranormals, too, but still want more of the historicals I love.

  27. pri.r. on 16 Jul 2007 at 4:29 am #

    someone care to inform me what this highlander thing is??

  28. Karen Hawkins on 16 Jul 2007 at 9:13 am #

    Pri, the Highland Games is an annual gathering at Grandfather Mountain in NC. It’s HUGE and every year, more people go. They have traditional Scottish music, dancing, arts and crafts, games, food, and more. They say it’s a hoot and I’ve been DYING to go, unfortunately, this year it was opposite of RWA. However, I think I am going to make the trek next year; it would be SO worth it!

    Also, ‘light’ is a book that is lively and humorous. It could also be emotional, but the major tenets are ‘light.’ For example, J. R. Wards books about tormented souls bearing a curse is a ‘dark’ paranormal. Meanwhile, Lynsay Sand’s Book BITE ME IF YOU CAN, is a ‘light’ paranormal because it’s a lark of a book.

    I hope that helps a little!

  29. Karen Hawkins on 16 Jul 2007 at 9:15 am #

    PS Ellen, thank you! That is very sweet! I hope you enjoy all of the new books you got. It’s a wonderful thing to find an author you ‘click’ with!

  30. Teresa Medeiros on 16 Jul 2007 at 7:12 pm #

    My theory is that the “established” paranormal authors will continue to do just fine but it might get harder to break into the genre. The exact same thing happened during the first paranormal boom in the mid 90’s. There was a glut of paranormals, some of them wonderful, some not so much, and it sort of killed the genre for awhile.

  31. Dot C on 17 Jul 2007 at 12:18 am #

    I dunno…I think you’re going to see the paranormal wave crest after the Harry Potter Release, when everyone is in a “magic” kind of mood. Especially since book stores and book sellers will be pushing paranormals for the next few months. I love me some paranormals, but the bandwagon has gotten a little too crowded, and I think that some of the paranormal authors that are trying to ride the wave would do well to write a few historicals to polish their “flavors”, if ya know what I mean. I think that writers become better when they master their craft, and historicals have a great way of dwelling not only in the imagination, but in living breathing reality as well. As far as this blog goes….well, we bloggers do so well blogging because the creators have set up such an awesome forum. It is so important that real people get to know that authors are not some mythical force behind the paper, but quirky humans just like us! You goddesses are a delight to chat with!

  32. Dot C on 17 Jul 2007 at 12:23 am #

    PS - gotta recommend the Meljean Brook books! I was forced to read the first one by a publisher rep who shoved the book down my throat. And I’m so glad he did! Intelligent, witty, some gutbustingly funny moments, and archetypal mythos make for a great couple of reads. Also!! Congrats to Christina Dodd for breaking into the paranormal genre. I adore her!

  33. Karen Hawkins on 17 Jul 2007 at 12:35 pm #

    Teresa, that’s like chick lit, too. There’s a huge demand with only a few authors, then a huge number of authors and viola! the demand levels out. As you say, the established authors float along just great, but it becomes more difficult to sell a new author to an editor. I looove paranormals, so I hope they stay for a long, long time.

    Dot, thanks! We love bloggin’, too. It’s ever so much fun to do a lil’ blog now and again and opine about this n’ that, rather than trying to establish stronger conflict in Chapter Eight via showing instead of telling (which is ever so much easier, but lazier, too). I’ll have to try the Brook books! Btw, I love both La Dodd’s and Teresa Medeiros’s paranormals because they have that true life feel to them — just like their historicals!

  34. pri.r. on 18 Jul 2007 at 6:49 am #

    has anyone read Kresley Cole’s paranormal books???… has anyone read ANY kresley Cole books???… ok ok i’ll refrain from harking on about Kresley Cole, but seriously people, she makes you wish YOU were immortal!