January 26, 2008
One of the things that keeps coming up about my books is: why they're in the romance section of the bookstore, or why they have "Paranormal Romance" on the spine.
And it's a valid question, and a good thing to nosh over. So shall we nosh? It's Saturday morning…I don't have anything else to do.
The thing is, a publisher has to decide how to position any book that they publish, and therefore have to decide what market to concentrate on for the book. My books are definitely genre fiction–which means they wouldn't really fit well in the General Fiction/Literature section of the market/bookstore.
Yet, my books aren't technically romances, since, in a romance, a happily-ever-after (HEA) is guaranteed. Or, at least, a "happy for now" ending. As those of you who've read my books know, Victoria hasn't yet found her HEA. (But she will. I promise. Book Five.)
Nor are my books true fantasy, for there is a lot of a romantic element in them, and the focus is on Victoria as opposed to an epic world with many characters.
So my publisher had to make a choice which market to position them for, since the books could fall into either category. And it was decided to target the romance market because, first of all, it's huge, with lots of sub-genres.
And secondly, because the publishing industry has been seeing more and more cross-over between the fantasy/urban fantasy market and the romance market (eg, Laurell K Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, etc.).
And that's why the books have "Paranormal Romance" on the spine, and are usually found in the romance section.
But Chris (who won an ARC of Dusk and just reviewed it) over at Stuff As Dreams Are Made On makes the point that many fantasy readers would probably love my books because the romance isn't so heavy–but he's never read a romance before, so he's not sure. (heh) Bookfool joins in the conversation–feel free to join them.
Carl V. at Stainless Steel Droppings has also helped to spread the word to fantasy readers about my books. *smooches*
Even my friend Jackie Kessler pointed out this phenomenon in her post last year at SF Novelists. She encourages people to look beyond the section that they normally visit in the bookstore to see what else might catch their attention–and I've found myself doing that more and more.
I remember being uninterested in reading a futuristic series, thinking there was no way I was going to like Jetsons-type books, so I missed out on JD Robb's In Death series for years.
Big. Mistake. Those books are some of my favorites now, and they're so well done on so many levels…yet I'd never have picked up a futuristic murder mystery series if it hadn't been written by Nora Roberts.
My bad.
I can't tell you how many people have emailed/told me that "I don't read romance/horror/vampire/historical novels, but I loved yours!" That just makes my day, knowing that someone stepped outside their boundaries and picked up–and enjoyed–my books.
It's all word of mouth and expanding horizons.
So, do me a favor…tell your friend who reads fantasy novels, but not romances, about my books.
Or tell your co-worker who never reads historical books about the Gardellas.
Or tell your grandmother, who doesn't like vampire books that these aren't really horror novels.
Help them expand their horizons! And maybe you'll expand yours.
And tell me about a book or series that you've read outside of your "normal" boundaries. Share!!
The second installment of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles takes Victoria to Venice and Rome.
My novel, 
January 26th, 2008 at 11:22 am
This is so my subject! What is starting to happen with series in the “paranormal romance” genre is that each book is not getting a HEA” and I love that! Katie Macalister and others are finding it is really helping in the cross over market. From a book sellers point of view it does make it easier to cross sell because it takes the formula just enough away from the romance formula to make the reader feel like they are not reading romance. (although the stigma against romance upsets me so!)
I have started to notice that men are starting to come back again and again but buy “paranormal romance” under another book like it’s some “bad girly mag” and ask for a bag. It’s priceless. I finally just rearranged the story (against the corporate map, yeah bite me corporate when I own my own store you’ll just take my ideas anyway) I reorganized the store and now have a few tables in the middle aisle that I know my fellow geeks will enjoy regardless of the “sweaty men” covers as we call them. You Colleen have become very popular at our store (oh gee I don’t know why no one has ever mentioned you there)and among my buffy quoting geekoids and I’ve found the Ren Fest crowd is starting to dig you lots. Colleen, Kim Harrison, JR Ward and L.A. Banks all do very well among our men as well and that makes me very proud! men are hard to sell to if you’re not Robin Hobb or Lee Child (fantasy and mystery). The cross genre tables are such a hit and they still grab the book and put it under Stephen King and explain it away…”it’s a gift” but they bought it and they are reading it and quite frankly that’s all I really care about! Word of mouth is so huge! If I like an author I tell everyone I know…guess that’s why I like my job so much huh?…heh heh
January 26th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I just wanted to remind you that your first two books were also reviewed on A Girl Must Shop; here: http://www.agirlmustshop.com/archives/2007/04/the_gardella_vampire_chronicle_1.php and here: http://www.agirlmustshop.com/archives/2007/10/the_gardella_vampire_chronicle.php
Can’t wait for the third, so I can review that one as well!
January 26th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Yeah, this is one of those things that makes a bookreader wonder. The Borders I usually go to is one of the most disorganized places I’ve ever been to. Half the time you can’t find what you’re looking for. In fact, a well-known romance wasn’t even in romance. It wsa under general fiction. If I had the ability, I would totally revamp that place & have it make sense. Half the things are put in the wrong spot & most of the people who work there don’t read. I’ll ask them questions & they get all screwed up. *sigh*
As for someone I read I never thought I’d read (and this was before I got into paranormals), that would be Kim Harrison. I’d read “true” romances before that, so she was my first foray into fantasy/paranormal romance.
Cannot WAIT for your next book. I’m beating down the doors. LOL!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Wherever they’re shelved, I love them. And that’s an awesome cover for When Twilight Burns. It’s the first time I’ve seen it.
A few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought I’d like vampire novels, but I really enjoy them if they’re done well. And yours definitely are. I’ve moved into reading more urban fantasy like Rachel Caine’s Weather Wardens series.
January 26th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Thanks Kaitlin!
And Deneishia…can I clone you and send you to every bookstore?
Janet, you know I love your reviews. Thanks so much for posting those links again.
Trish, I love your new Web site. Thanks for coming by. I love the cover for TWILIGHT too.
January 26th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I just recently picked up a copy of “The Rest Falls Away,” and while I’m not too far into it I’m certainly enjoying it so far. I felt a little self-conscious in the “Romance” section, but I’ve had plenty of practice from perusing the New Age / Occult shelves as well. (They always place those next to the Bibles, so I get funny looks a lot.)
Incidentally, I don’t think I would have considered buying your novel if I hadn’t been reading your weblog and you hadn’t been by mine a couple of times. Demonstrating why authors ought to blog!
January 27th, 2008 at 11:54 am
The Gardella books are in the romance section at my local Borders — and, I believe, also at BAM and B&N (interesting — all of these bookstores start with “B” — as in “B” for books, maybe?!) I remember when I was looking for THE REST FALLS AWAY, I was looking in the horror section and couldn’t find it!
I am one of those people who love vampires but seldom read vampire novels because most don’t suit me, for one reason or another. I chose to read the Gardella series after reading an article about them (and you, Colleen!) in my local newspaper. So, although, in theory, I should love them (after all, I’ve written one), vampire books aren’t the norm for me unless one really catches my eye.
My norm is historical fiction (with some romance) — and I prefer novels set in medieval times (which also include real people — my favorite — Richard III). So, what’s really out of the ordinary for me is to read contemporary novels or “chick-lit” although I have read a few and enjoyed most of them. They are just not what I’d pick first.
I do like some fantasy but it depends on what it is — I’m not really into futuristic stuff either but have also had the J.D. Robb “In death” series recommended to me — so I’ve been collecting the books (haven’t got the first one yet and figured I really ought to start with it!)
January 27th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I read a few genera’s; ranging from Historical literature to Young Adult, with lots in between but my first love is Romance.
So when I started picking up books out of the romance section and taking them home, only to find out that they were not romance but a series that may one day turn into something a wee bit romantic I was hot. I even went to my local book store and complained about the misrepresentation. They explained to me that they shelve them the way they are told and that was that.
I was told, by a friend, about the Gardella series and immediately I was like not another book that really isn’t a romance, but sits in the romance section. I tried it anyway and loved it, regardless of the lack of romance. I even picked up another series that didn’t have an clear HEA and liked that one too.
While all romance readers may not like the lack of real HEA in a lot of books labled as “Paranormal Romance” or the fact that more and more of said books are being shelved among traditional romances, I don’t mind. Not anymore, anyway.
The only problem I have with these types of series’ now is my tendency to pick the wrong guy. It is so disappointing to read a whole series loving one of the heroine’s suitors only to have her pick the other guy. Like a swift kick to the gut, I tell ya. And why don’t the authors ever let us know what happened to the unpicked guy? It’s like they forget that some of us grew to love him.
Anyway, Colleen I love your books and I’m so looking forward to The Bleeding Dusk!
January 28th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I’d argue that fantasy equates to huge worlds with lots of characters. That’s more the realm of traditional epic fantasy. If you look at urban fantasy like Mercedes Lackey’s Diana Tregarde novels, they’re mainly focused on the main character and a few side characters.
I’ve actually described your books to friends as “historical urban fantasy with romantic elements” before, which got a confused stare because even though urban means “set in a city” people automatically assume it’s contemporary. *sigh*
But I’m one of them definition nuts.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I have the same problem. The reasoning I received is that Fantasy readers will go into the romance section, but romance readers won’t leave to see the fantasy section, and we have to find our target market.
Which doesn’t explain why RT has a section for other genres of fiction (since romance readers apparently won’t read it), or why I get hate mail from romance readers who are pissed that I didn’t make my books have an HEA.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have picked up your books without a little persuasion from some of the other bloggers because of the location! Not that I’m all that opposed to romance, per se, but I don’t ever frequent that section of the bookstores. So truly, they were off my radar!!
I don’t consider them “Romance” novels at all. They are way darker, and just not as neat and tidy as I consider Romance novels to be. Maybe that’s just me being a “book snob”.
Regardless of where they are located though, they are fantastic!!