Today I am sharing They are also effective for stumping people in a trivia game. More importantly, these teach you about the genre and help in selecting your next great re
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So let’s get to them.
Terrific Romance Blogs
1/ There are outstanding blogs for romance writers and readers, full of reviews and suggestions, deals and offers, and sometimes contests too.
A few of my favorites: www.HarlequinJunkie.com because it includes a book club along with lots of reviews and recommendations, and www.romanceandsmut.com which is incredibly comprehensive and because it allows you to search by one genre or combine genres. this means, for example that you can find an obscure historical, paranormal time-travel romance, and do so pretty easily. I also love www.fictionvixen.com which adds beauty tips to tits site.
Do a little sampling of your own to find the one that best suits your needs.
An Award–winning Documentary
2/ There is a fabulous multi-award winning documentary available on Amazon.com for rental or purchase. The feature length film, “Love between the Covers” shares the stories of romance authors and readers. The film is thorough and thoroughly entertaining. I bought it after watching it once. I promise, it answers many of the questions you have asked me about my journey as a romance writer.
A Shared Romance Experience?
3/ There are romance reading groups! Thought that reading was a solitary endeavor? So did I but it turns out that there is at least one group that likes to get together for readings by invited authors or by each other, in order to share the romance experience. Check out http://ladyjanesalonnyc.com for more on this unique group and let me know if you are interested in forming or participating in a group. I would love to assist in getting a group up and running in your area.
Let’s not forget author events, book signings and conventions. They are a great place to mingle with your favorite authors and find fellow HEA enthusiasts. Check the events tab on your favorite author’s website or www.RWA.com.
Added Value in Social Media
4/ Romance authors are often savvy social media users. I am still learning the Twitter ropes and have just recently started a Madison Michael VIP group on Facebook, but there are many romance authors out there who entertain and educate on social media. Over 25K followers can’t be wrong. That is the following for author Eloisa James (@EloisaJames) but you can follow seven authors in one place with Lucky 7 Romance Authors on Facebook and Twitter. Have you looked lately to see what your favorite romance authors are saying? Are you following the writers you love on Pinterest?
Pinterest is, in fact, my next great venture. When authors create the settings and costumes for their characters, they often gather pictures and clippings for inspiration. Many share these and other visuals on Pinterest. For example, you might read “Beholden” and want to see an actual representation of an Elie Saab gown or a better visual of the University Club. Although reading relies on the imagined, many of these places are real and you can actually see them. Sarah Sundin uses Pinterest for just this purpose and it really strengthens my sense of her stories’ historical and military images.
Let’s not forget the men!
5/ In deference to the men who read and write romance a word…20% of romance readers are men, and more men are writing romance too. They often write from a perspective that is different, but no less satisfying, to romance readers, so if you haven’t already, give them a chance. I have a few particular favorites who I would recommend including British author Christopher Nicole who uses numerous pseudonyms including Allison York and Caroline Gray, or Madeleine Ker, who is Harlequin author Marius Gabriel. The fact that men write great romance should come as no surprise to any of us. After all, who was more romantic than Shakespeare?
For more on this topic you might like Top 25 Romance Bloggers