Difference between revisions of "Erotic Romance"

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[[Category:Romance Genres]]
 
[[Category:Romance Genres]]
  
'''Erotic romance''' is a [[Romance Sub-Genres|sub-genre]] of the [[Romance Genre|romance genre]].  
+
==Erotic Romance Subgenre==
 +
'''Erotic romance''' is a [[Romance Sub-Genres|sub-genre]] of the [[Romance Genre|romance genre]]. As defined by [[Romance Writers of America]]'s (RWA) special interest chapter, [http://www.passionateink.org/index.php Passionate Ink], erotic romance is about the development of a romantic relationship through sexual interaction. The sex is an inherent part of the story, character growth, and relationship development, and couldn’t be removed without damaging the storyline. Happily Ever After is a REQUIREMENT to be an erotic romance.
 +
 
 +
In 1995 erotic romance started with the first Secrets anthology, Secrets Volume 1, published by Red Sage Publishing, Inc, and caught on with readers immediately. The very first authors of erotic romance are Bonnie Hamre, Alice Gains, Jeanie LeGendre and Ivy Landon. Secrets Volume 1 is still in print to this day, as are all the other Secrets Volumes released since then. The staying power of these anthologies is a testament to quality of the authors. Secrets Volume 2 won the Independent Publishers Follett Literary award for fiction.
 +
 
 +
Doubleday took notice and bought all the Secrets Volumes for their book club in 1998.
 +
 
 +
Some of the most recognized names in romance published with Red Sage Publishing in the early days of erotic romance. Angela Knight, Mary Janice Davidson, Susan Kearney, Emma Holly, Liz Maverick and many others published erotic romances with Red Sage Publishing starting in 1995.
 +
 
 +
The early erotic romance authors are Rita nominated authors, New York Times listed authors, Golden Hearts winners and novel of the year authors, and USA Today listed authors. In other words some of the best authors in the business established the foundations of erotic romance with Red Sage Publishing starting in 1995 and continuing today. [http://www.eRedSage.com/ eRedSage.com].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The subgenre, which is sometimes referred to as [http://www.ellorascave.com/whatisromantica.asp romantica] (a trademark of [http://www.ellorascave.com/ Ellora's Cave Publishing]) got its start in ePublishing/small press. High volume sales showed New York publishers there was an untapped market for erotic romance that they could fill and since approximately 2005 they have incorporated new imprints to meet the demand of readers. [http://www.rwanational.org/galleries/default-file/ROMStat2006.pdf Stats] for erotic romance are difficult to verify as publishers tend to lump erotic romance in with established categories such as historicals, contemporaries, paranormals and other subgenres. Erotic romance writers who are members of RWA have petitioned unsuccessfully within the organization for a separate subgenre category under RWA's Golden Heart and RITA contests.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Erotic romance novels have romance as the main focus of the plot line, and they are characterized by strong, often explicit, sexual content. The books can contain elements of any of the other romance subgenres, such as paranormal elements, chick lit, hen lit, historical fiction, etc. In fact, many erotic romance novels are often categorized by one of the categories already defined in the industry. As a result, reader unhappiness has been noted in the blogosphere as to whether romance has too much sex. [http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2008/05/06/the-oversexualization-of-romance/ Dear Author], a romance commentary blog, has discussed the subject at length on numerous occasions.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Erotic romance novels can range from short story to single title length. All publishers currently have some form of erotic romance or erotica imprint. The subgenre's novels take the reader beyond the bedroom door where more traditional romance does not breach that barrier. The sex scenes, while explicit, are there for the purpose of character development. Erotic romance should not be confused with pornography. Works of pornography consist of sexual acts without a plot line. Erotic romance however includes well-developed characters and at least one primary plot with the possibility of subplots. The primary and/or subplots can stand alone without the explicit sex, but the characterizations in the story will suffer dramatically if the sexual content is removed.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Erotic romance writers generally have more flexibility in pushing the envelope of erotic romance than authors for traditional print publishers, although this has changed dramatically since 2005 when NY publishers began to explore the subgenre with lines such as [http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkon=subsection&linkid=1839 Aphrodisa], [http://www.harpercollins.com/imprints/index.aspx?imprintid=518015 Avon Red] and others. With ePublishing, the writer has even greater leeway in most instances to write on subjects that in the past have been taboo, such as menage, BDSM, gay lit and other topics. There are however, a number of subjects still considered off limits, even in erotic romance. Themes such as pedophilia, incest, and bestiality are discouraged by all publishers, and the reputable ePublishers and print publishers will not accept submissions that contain such themes as part of the overall character ARC.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Small press and ePublishers still remain the stronghold of the subgenre, and the market is still a strong one as is evident by the phenomenal growth of [http://www.samhainpublishing.com/about Samhain Publishing] which has grown since its start in 2006 to be one of the leading ePublishers in the industry with a strong list of erotic romance from new and upcoming authors to such well-established authors such as Lucy Monroe, Jaci Burton and others. Both Ellora's Cave Publishing and Samhain Publishing have partnered with New York publishers to expand some of their works into mass market. Ellora's Cave with Pocket Books and Samhain Publishing with [[Kensington Books]].
  
 
==Erotic Romance Publishers==
 
==Erotic Romance Publishers==
 +
Here are [[publishers]] that publish primarily erotic romance or [[erotica]]. See also [[:category:Erotica Publishers]] for an additional list.
 
* [[Amber Quill Press]]
 
* [[Amber Quill Press]]
 
* [[Aphrodite's Apples Publishing]]
 
* [[Aphrodite's Apples Publishing]]
 
* [[Black Lace]]
 
* [[Black Lace]]
 
* [[Changeling Press]]
 
* [[Changeling Press]]
 +
* [[Dark Eden Press]]
 
* [[Ellora's Cave Publishing]]
 
* [[Ellora's Cave Publishing]]
 
* [[Kirkham Press]]
 
* [[Kirkham Press]]
 
* [[Liquid Silver Books]]
 
* [[Liquid Silver Books]]
* [[Loose-Id]]
+
* [[Loose Id]]
 +
* [[Mojocastle Press, LLC]]
 
* [[New Concepts Publishing]]
 
* [[New Concepts Publishing]]
 +
* [[Noble Romance Publishing]]
 
* [[Phaze]]
 
* [[Phaze]]
* [[Red Sage]]
+
* [[Red Rose Publishing]]
 +
* [[Red Sage Publishing, Inc.]]
 
* [[Samhain Publishing, Ltd.]]
 
* [[Samhain Publishing, Ltd.]]
 
* [[Silk's Vault Publishing]]
 
* [[Silk's Vault Publishing]]
 +
* [[Scandalous Publishing]]
 
* [[Siren Publishing, Inc.]]
 
* [[Siren Publishing, Inc.]]
 
* [http://www.sultryheatpublications.com/index.html Sultry Heat Publications]
 
* [http://www.sultryheatpublications.com/index.html Sultry Heat Publications]
 
* [[Torquere Press]]
 
* [[Torquere Press]]
* [[Venus Press]]
 
 
* [[Whiskey Creek Press Torrid]]
 
* [[Whiskey Creek Press Torrid]]
 +
* [http://www.whiteorchidpress.com White Orchid Press]
 
* [[Midnight Showcase]]
 
* [[Midnight Showcase]]
* [[Mardi Gras Publishing]]
 
  
 
==Erotic Romance Publications==
 
==Erotic Romance Publications==
 
* [[MAS-Zine]]
 
* [[MAS-Zine]]
 
* [http://www.forbiddenfruitzine.com/ Forbidden Fruit Magazine]
 
* [http://www.forbiddenfruitzine.com/ Forbidden Fruit Magazine]
 +
* [[Red Lipstick Journals]]
  
 
==Erotic Romance Authors==
 
==Erotic Romance Authors==
* Black, Jaid
+
* [[Lacey Alexander|Alexander, Lacey]]
* [[Mychael Black| Black, Mychael]]
+
* [[Annie Alvarez|Alvarez, Annie]]
* Bo, Rachel
+
* [[Nicole Austin|Austin, Nicole]]
 +
* [[Elizabeth Black|Black, Elizabeth]]
 +
* [[Jaid Black|Black, Jaid]]
 +
* [[Mychael Black|Black, Mychael]]
 +
* [[Rachel Bo|Bo, Rachel]]
 +
* [[Charlotte Boyett~Compo|Boyett~Compo, Charlotte]]
 
* [[Alessia Brio|Brio, Alessia]]
 
* [[Alessia Brio|Brio, Alessia]]
 
* [[L.E. Bryce|Bryce, L.E.]]
 
* [[L.E. Bryce|Bryce, L.E.]]
 
* [[James Buchanan|Buchanan, James]]
 
* [[James Buchanan|Buchanan, James]]
 +
* [[Monica Burns |Burns, Monica]]
 +
* [[Rhyannon Byrd|Byrd, Rhyannon]]
 
* [[Sydney Croft|Croft, Sydney]]
 
* [[Sydney Croft|Croft, Sydney]]
 
* [[Portia Da Costa|Da Costa, Portia]]
 
* [[Portia Da Costa|Da Costa, Portia]]
 
* [[Anisa Damien|Damien, Anisa]]
 
* [[Anisa Damien|Damien, Anisa]]
 +
* [[Natalie J. Damschroder| Damschroder, Natalie J.]]
 
* [[Adrianna Dane| Dane, Adrianna]]
 
* [[Adrianna Dane| Dane, Adrianna]]
 +
* [[Margrett Dawson|Dawson, Margrett]]
 +
* [[Sylvia Day|Day, Sylvia]]
 
* [[Kay Derwydd| Derwydd, Kay]]
 
* [[Kay Derwydd| Derwydd, Kay]]
 +
* [[Thea Devine|Devine, Thea]]
 
* [[Delilah Devlin|Devlin, Delilah]]
 
* [[Delilah Devlin|Devlin, Delilah]]
 
* [[Vincent Diamond| Diamond, Vincent]]
 
* [[Vincent Diamond| Diamond, Vincent]]
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* Faire, Dreama
 
* Faire, Dreama
 
* Forella, Felicia
 
* Forella, Felicia
 +
* [[K.M. Frontain| Frontain, K.M.]]
 
* [[Renee George| George, Renee]]
 
* [[Renee George| George, Renee]]
* [[K.M. Frontain| Frontain, K.M.]]
+
* [[Sheri Gilmore| Gilmore, Sheri]]
 
* [[Fiona Glass|Glass, Fiona]]
 
* [[Fiona Glass|Glass, Fiona]]
 
* [[Nathalie Gray|Gray, Nathalie]]
 
* [[Nathalie Gray|Gray, Nathalie]]
 +
* [[Tilly Greene|Greene, Tilly]]
 +
* [[Carolyn Gregg|Gregg, Carolyn]]
 +
* [[Megan Hart| Hart, Megan]]
 
* Harte, Marie
 
* Harte, Marie
* [[Holly, Emma]]
+
* [[Joey W. Hill|Hill, Joey W.]]
 +
* [[Emma Holly|Holly, Emma]]
 
* [[Jenna Howard|Howard, Jenna]]
 
* [[Jenna Howard|Howard, Jenna]]
 
* [[Larissa Ione|Ione, Larissa]]
 
* [[Larissa Ione|Ione, Larissa]]
 
* [[Kayleigh Jamison|Jamison, Kayleigh]]
 
* [[Kayleigh Jamison|Jamison, Kayleigh]]
 +
* [[Susan Johnson|Johnson, Susan]]
 +
* [[Jules Jones|Jones, Jules]]
 
* [[Marianne LaCroix|LaCroix, Marianne]]
 
* [[Marianne LaCroix|LaCroix, Marianne]]
* LaFleur, Lynn
+
* [[Lynn LaFleur|LaFleur, Lynn]]
 
* [[Jourdan Lane|Lane, Jourdan]]
 
* [[Jourdan Lane|Lane, Jourdan]]
* Lang, Kate
+
* [[Kate Lang|Lang, Kate]]
 +
* [[Marilyn Lee|Lee, Marilyn]]
 
* [[Anna Leigh Keaton|Keaton, Anna Leigh]]
 
* [[Anna Leigh Keaton|Keaton, Anna Leigh]]
* [[Lewis, Marilyn Jaye]]
+
* Keem Naruktb
* [[Li, Racy| Racy Li]]
+
* [[Lora Leigh|Leigh, Lora]]
 +
* [[Marilyn Jaye Lewis|Lewis, Marilyn Jaye]]
 +
* [[Racy Li|Li, Racy]]
 
* [[Kelly Maher|Maher, Kelly]]
 
* [[Kelly Maher|Maher, Kelly]]
 +
* [[Monica M. Martin|Martin, Monica M.]]
 +
* [[Ellie Marvel|Marvel, Ellie]]
 +
* [[Sarah McCarty|McCarty, Sarah]]
 
* [[Gracie C. McKeever| McKeever, Gracie C.]]
 
* [[Gracie C. McKeever| McKeever, Gracie C.]]
 +
* [[Shannon McKenna|McKenna, Shannon]]
 +
* [[Bethany Michaels|Michaels, Bethany]]
 
* [[Bridget Midway|Midway, Bridget]]
 
* [[Bridget Midway|Midway, Bridget]]
* Monroe, Karen
+
* [[Gracen Miller|Miller, Gracen]]
* [[North, Cara]]
+
* [[Karen Monroe|Monroe, Karen]]
* Oh, Madeleine
+
* [[Cara North|North, Cara]]
 +
* [[Madeleine Oh|Oh, Madeleine]]
 +
* [[Alexandra O'Hurley|O'Hurley, Alexandra]]
 +
* [[Kate Pearce|Pearce, Kate]]
 
* [[Dusk Peterson|Peterson, Dusk]]
 
* [[Dusk Peterson|Peterson, Dusk]]
* Quinn, December
+
* [[December Quinn|Quinn, December]]
 
* [[Sherrill Quinn|Quinn, Sherrill]]
 
* [[Sherrill Quinn|Quinn, Sherrill]]
* Schroeder, Melissa
+
* [[Pam Rosenthal|Rosenthal, Pam]]
 +
* [[Amy Romine|Romine, Amy]]
 +
* [[Luxie Ryder| Ryder, Luxie]]
 +
* [[Robin Schone|Schone, Robin]]
 +
* [[Melissa Schroeder|Schroeder, Melissa]]
 +
* [[Bertrice Small|Small, Bertrice]]
 
* [[Devi Sparks|Sparks, Devi]]
 
* [[Devi Sparks|Sparks, Devi]]
 
* [[Emily Veinglory|Veinglory, Emily]]
 
* [[Emily Veinglory|Veinglory, Emily]]
* Zant, Kimberly
+
* [[Elayne S. Venton|Venton, Elayne S.]]
 +
* [[Shiloh Walker|Walker, Shiloh]]
 +
* [[Water,May]]
 +
* [[Kelli Wilkins|Wilkins, Kelli]]
 +
* [[Kelli A. Wilkins|Wilkins, Kelli A.]]
 +
* [[Brenda Williamson|Williamson, Brenda]]
 +
* [[Jennifer Willows|Willows, Jennifer]]
 +
* [[Kimberly Zant|Zant, Kimberly]]
  
 
==Erotic Romance Organizations==
 
==Erotic Romance Organizations==
 
* [[Erotic Romance Writers Forum]]
 
* [[Erotic Romance Writers Forum]]
 
* [[Passionate Ink]], [[Romance Writers of America]]’s first and only [[Erotica|erotic]] romance special interest chapter.
 
* [[Passionate Ink]], [[Romance Writers of America]]’s first and only [[Erotica|erotic]] romance special interest chapter.

Latest revision as of 23:11, 2 November 2023


Erotic Romance Subgenre

Erotic romance is a sub-genre of the romance genre. As defined by Romance Writers of America's (RWA) special interest chapter, Passionate Ink, erotic romance is about the development of a romantic relationship through sexual interaction. The sex is an inherent part of the story, character growth, and relationship development, and couldn’t be removed without damaging the storyline. Happily Ever After is a REQUIREMENT to be an erotic romance.

In 1995 erotic romance started with the first Secrets anthology, Secrets Volume 1, published by Red Sage Publishing, Inc, and caught on with readers immediately. The very first authors of erotic romance are Bonnie Hamre, Alice Gains, Jeanie LeGendre and Ivy Landon. Secrets Volume 1 is still in print to this day, as are all the other Secrets Volumes released since then. The staying power of these anthologies is a testament to quality of the authors. Secrets Volume 2 won the Independent Publishers Follett Literary award for fiction.

Doubleday took notice and bought all the Secrets Volumes for their book club in 1998.

Some of the most recognized names in romance published with Red Sage Publishing in the early days of erotic romance. Angela Knight, Mary Janice Davidson, Susan Kearney, Emma Holly, Liz Maverick and many others published erotic romances with Red Sage Publishing starting in 1995.

The early erotic romance authors are Rita nominated authors, New York Times listed authors, Golden Hearts winners and novel of the year authors, and USA Today listed authors. In other words some of the best authors in the business established the foundations of erotic romance with Red Sage Publishing starting in 1995 and continuing today. eRedSage.com.


The subgenre, which is sometimes referred to as romantica (a trademark of Ellora's Cave Publishing) got its start in ePublishing/small press. High volume sales showed New York publishers there was an untapped market for erotic romance that they could fill and since approximately 2005 they have incorporated new imprints to meet the demand of readers. Stats for erotic romance are difficult to verify as publishers tend to lump erotic romance in with established categories such as historicals, contemporaries, paranormals and other subgenres. Erotic romance writers who are members of RWA have petitioned unsuccessfully within the organization for a separate subgenre category under RWA's Golden Heart and RITA contests.


Erotic romance novels have romance as the main focus of the plot line, and they are characterized by strong, often explicit, sexual content. The books can contain elements of any of the other romance subgenres, such as paranormal elements, chick lit, hen lit, historical fiction, etc. In fact, many erotic romance novels are often categorized by one of the categories already defined in the industry. As a result, reader unhappiness has been noted in the blogosphere as to whether romance has too much sex. Dear Author, a romance commentary blog, has discussed the subject at length on numerous occasions.


Erotic romance novels can range from short story to single title length. All publishers currently have some form of erotic romance or erotica imprint. The subgenre's novels take the reader beyond the bedroom door where more traditional romance does not breach that barrier. The sex scenes, while explicit, are there for the purpose of character development. Erotic romance should not be confused with pornography. Works of pornography consist of sexual acts without a plot line. Erotic romance however includes well-developed characters and at least one primary plot with the possibility of subplots. The primary and/or subplots can stand alone without the explicit sex, but the characterizations in the story will suffer dramatically if the sexual content is removed.


Erotic romance writers generally have more flexibility in pushing the envelope of erotic romance than authors for traditional print publishers, although this has changed dramatically since 2005 when NY publishers began to explore the subgenre with lines such as Aphrodisa, Avon Red and others. With ePublishing, the writer has even greater leeway in most instances to write on subjects that in the past have been taboo, such as menage, BDSM, gay lit and other topics. There are however, a number of subjects still considered off limits, even in erotic romance. Themes such as pedophilia, incest, and bestiality are discouraged by all publishers, and the reputable ePublishers and print publishers will not accept submissions that contain such themes as part of the overall character ARC.


Small press and ePublishers still remain the stronghold of the subgenre, and the market is still a strong one as is evident by the phenomenal growth of Samhain Publishing which has grown since its start in 2006 to be one of the leading ePublishers in the industry with a strong list of erotic romance from new and upcoming authors to such well-established authors such as Lucy Monroe, Jaci Burton and others. Both Ellora's Cave Publishing and Samhain Publishing have partnered with New York publishers to expand some of their works into mass market. Ellora's Cave with Pocket Books and Samhain Publishing with Kensington Books.

Erotic Romance Publishers

Here are publishers that publish primarily erotic romance or erotica. See also category:Erotica Publishers for an additional list.

Erotic Romance Publications

Erotic Romance Authors

Erotic Romance Organizations