This week the RNA announced the shortlists for the Romantic Novel of the year awards.
As the RNA website administrator, I spent a lot of time working with the shortlist images and uploading them for everyone to see.
One thing that immediately struck me was the incredible diversity of the novels on that shortlist.
Some of the authors are old favourites – Julie Cohen, Barbara Erskine, Jenny Colgan, Jill Mansell and others are authors I read and enjoy and have for a long time.
The list also has lots of authors who are new to me, but won’t be for long. I always try to read as many of the shortlisted books as I can.
I have on occasion heard fellow authors say they are a little embarrassed when people ask what they write. They don’t want to say they write romance, or romantic fiction… because romance is looked down on as not ‘proper’ writing.
I know what they mean – other genres – crime, fantasy, sci fi are regarded more highly than romance.
I wince every time I hear someone say it’s ‘just romance’. There’s nothing second rate about these books.
They are books that look at the depth of human feeling. They are books that bring delight to millions of readers. They can help readers cope with difficult times.
There are ‘literary’ romance novels. There are light romance novels and romance for young adults. There are scary romantic thrillers and thought provoking sci fi romances.
And romance novels are among the best selling books in the world.
Why should anyone feel ashamed or second rate writing books like these?
So I say – congrats to all those authors on these shortlists. You deserve the recognition.
And I say to all writers of romance – be proud of what you do. It’s not in way second to anything… not by a long shot.
Stand tall and say, as I do – I write romantic fiction – and I am proud of it!!!