Okay, look. I understand that romance novels aren’t for everyone–though I maintain that most everyone who claims not to read that trash, either A) haven’t read a romance B) don’t understand what romance is C) are such spectacular literary snobs that they can’t lower themselves from their lofty acclaimed Oprah Book Club heights.

I spent a long time last week defending romance to good friends of mine who said they had never read a romance novel and wouldn’t. When I asked them what authors they liked to read they said, Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovich, James Patterson, Brenda Novak….

Um. Guess what? You read romances.

I can deal with the snotty attiude toward a genre I love because frankly, numbers talk.
From RWA National website:

Romance Literature Statistics: Overview

Romance Sales
Romance fiction generated $1.37
billion in sales in 2006.
Approximately 6,400 romance titles were released
in 2006.

Market Share of Romance Fiction
Romance
fiction outsold every market category in 2006,with the exception of
religion/inspirational.
26.4% of all books sold are romance.

Romance Market Share Compared to Other Genres(source: Simba Information
estimates)
Romance fiction: $1.37 billion in estimated revenue for 2006 Religion/inspirational: $1.68 billion
Science fiction/fantasy: $495 million
Classic literary fiction: $448 Mystery: $422 million
Graphic novels: $128 million

Of those who read books last year, one in five read romance novels.
(AP-Ipsos Poll)

1.37 BILLION freaking people read romance novels. Put that in your snob-filled pipe and smoke it.

You may wonder what’s got me on this topic? Well the Today show posted this poll:

Do you read romance novels?

straight forward question. No problem. But check out the poll choices:

Yes, yes, yes! Bodice-rippers are my ultimate escape. (who wants to check this? I even hesitated to mark it as my answer. Bodice-rippers are my ultimate escape? Um. How about just Yes.)
No way. I don’t touch those books. (why? Are they diseased? No. would’ve been the appropriate choice.)
Sometimes, while on vacation or at the beach. (why is this even an answer? Honestly? This is a yes or no question. You either condescend to read those trashy little bodice rippers or you don’t!)

Anyway, as usual, a group of folks who have no idea what the Romance genre is about has posted a condscending poll. I know. You’re shocked. If you’re interested in voting, click here.