All About The Romance Writing Genre

Genres are great because they give us guarantees. We like to buy specific books in well-known genres because we enjoy the formula and we know what to expect. This post is all about the romance writing genre.

In The 17 Most Popular Genres In Fiction, we said:

1. Genre is a style or category of art, music, or literature.
2. Genre controls what you write and how you write it. It describes the style and focus of the novel you write.
3. Genres give you blueprints for different types of stories.

What Is The Romance Writing Genre?

This is a mass-market novel with an emotionally satisfying ending. These stories are about a romantic relationship between two people. They are characterised by sensual tension, desire, and idealism. The author keeps the two apart for most of the novel, but they do eventually end up together.

Category romances are short, usually no more than 200 pages, or about 55 000 words. The books are published in clearly delineated lines or imprints, with a certain number of books published in each imprint every month.

Publishers issue strict guidelines for each imprint. Depending on reader preferences and trends, publishers begin new lines and end existing ones. Most recently, erotic and Christian lines have been introduced while traditional Regency romance lines have ended.

Why It Matters

According to the Romance Writers of America®, the romance fiction industry is worth $1.08 billion dollars a year. (source)

It is about a third larger than the inspirational book industry, and about the size of the mystery novel genre and science fiction/fantasy genre markets combined.

Romance novels regularly top the major bestseller lists (New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today), and have a large, dedicated audience of readers.

[TOP TIP: If you want to learn how to write a romance, sign up for our online romance writing course, This Kiss]

History Of The Modern Genre Romance

Mills & Boon, a romance imprint of British publisher Harlequin UK Ltd, was founded in 1908 as a general publisher. The company moved towards escapist fiction for women in the 1930s.

In 1971, the publisher was bought by the Canadian company Harlequin Enterprises. The two companies offer a number of imprints that between them account for almost three-quarters of the romance paperbacks published in Britain.

Modern Mills & Boon novels, over one hundred of which are released each month, cover a wide range of possible romantic sub-genres, varying in explicitness, setting and style, although retaining a comforting familiarity that meets reader expectations.

In the US, modern romance genre fiction was born in 1972, with Avon’s publication of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s The Flame and the Flower, which was the first of the modern ‘bodice ripper’ romance novels.

The novel went on to sell 2.35 million copies.

The category romance continued to adapt and evolve.

There are many sub-genres, including:

1. Paranormal – includes vampires, angels, dragons, werewolves, witches.
2. Fantasy /Romantasy – mixes magical worlds and mythical creatures with romantic stories.
3. Cozy – the romance is more of a warm hug than desperate need and longing.
4. Historical – romances in a setting located in the past.
5. Contemporary –  romances reflect the conventions of their time. (This is the largest of the romance novel sub-genres).
6. Category – books are published in clearly delineated lines, with a certain number of books published in each line every month.
7. Time-travel – romances that include an element of time travel.
8. Erotic – romances where sex is an inherent part of the story.
9. Western – romances featuring cowboys.
10. Inspirational – wholesome, faith-filled stories that enrich the lives of readers. Meet characters who face challenges that strengthen their faith and lift their spirits. Whether it’s a second chance at life and love, an unexpected family blessing, a secret uncovered or a dangerous encounter—faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to change lives.
11. Suspense – involves an intrigue or mystery for the protagonists to solve. Categories include women in jeopardy, cowboys to the rescue,  and espionage.

Some publishers are known for specific types of romance:

Harlequin Romances are ‘are romantic, uplifting, couple-focused stories that invite readers to get swept away to glamorous destinations all over the world, and experience all the intensity, emotion and sparkle of falling in love! The sensuality level is low – the bedroom door stays shut – but the emotion is high. We’re looking for fresh, contemporary voices who can explore that intense emotional connection between the hero and heroine.’

1. You can find submission guidelines for imprints here: Harlequin Submission
2. If you want to write for Mills&Boon, click here: Guidelines
3. If you’re looking for a list of publishers, click here: 40 Romance Publishers Who Want Your Novel

Suggested Posts On Romance Writing:

1. The 4 Pillars Of Romance
2. 20 Things To Remember When Writing Category Romance
3. 5 Ways To Add Layers To Your Scenes In Historical Romances
4. 10 Things Every Romance Writer Needs
5. Heroes And Anti-Heroes – What’s The Difference?
6. Writing Sex Scenes – If You’re Brave Enough To Try
7. Love Is Never The Goal – Even When You Write Romance
8. Should Men Write Romance?
9. 43 Ways To Write About Love
10. Learn How To Write A Romance Novel
11. 8 Tips For New Romance Writers
12. 5 Ways To Write A Modern Romance With A Classic Twist
13. The Almost Moment Is The Secret To Successful Romance Writing
14. The Romantic Heroine
15. 101 Romance Tropes For Writers
16. What Romance Writers Can Learn From Watching Bridgerton
17. How Much Sex Do You Need In A Sex Scene?
18. The Power Of Dialogue In Love Stories
19. 7 Ways To Sustain Emotion When Writing A Romance Novel
20. The Romantic Hero
21. Why Do We Love Mr Darcy So?
22. How Romance Writing Makes You A Better Writer
23. A Quick Start Guide To Writing Romance
24. 11 Popular Sub-Genres In Fantasy Romance
25. Setting & Description In A Romance Novel
26. How To Pace A Romance Novel
27. 9 Must-Have Ingredients In A Romance Novel
28. 5 Things To Remember To Do When Publishing A Romance Novel
29. 5 Things To Remember Not To Do When Publishing A Romance Novel
30. What Is The Meet-Cute And How Important Is It?
31. 5 Things To Remember When Outlining Your Romance Novel
32. 5 Ways To Get You Through The Middle Of Your Romance Novel
33. 5 Ways To End Your Romance Novel
34. 5 Ways To Begin Your Romance Novel
35. Valentine’s Day For Writers
36. That’s Not Romance
37. Happy Ever After Is A Choice Not A Given
38. Viewpoint In Romance
39. Plot Or Character – Which Comes First In A Romance Novel?
40. Who Are The 5 Best Heroes And Heroines Of Romance Novels?
41. How Important Is Backstory In A Romance Novel?
42. Setting & Description In A Romance Novel
43. How Setting Drives Character Development In A Romance Novel
44. What is Romantasy & Why Is It So Popular?
45. What Is Cozy Fiction? & How To Write It
46. Writing Love Stories Vs Genre Romance: What’s The Difference?

TOP TIP: If you want to learn how to write a romance, sign up for our online course, This Kiss.

© Amanda Patterson

More posts from Amanda:

1. Why You Need To Write Your Memoir Like Fiction
2. Why You Don’t Need To Put Everything In Your Book
3. What’s The Difference Between An Autobiography And A Memoir?
4. How Your Characters’ To-Do Lists Can Help You Plot Your Book
5. Writing A Memoir? Narrow Your Focus
6. 29 Ways To Write About Happiness
7. 7 Really Good Reasons To Write A Memoir
8. 32 Ways To Write About Fear
9. Why You Need A Premise In Fiction
10. 7 Ways To Create Suspense In Your Memoir

Top Tip: Find out more about our workbooks and online courses in our shop.