July already?! Time once again for our monthly Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop. Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! The awesome co-hosts for the July 1 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Beth Camp, Liesbet, Tyrean Martinson, and Sandra Cox!
July 1 question – There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?
Within the romance community (my territory), this year has brought lots of attention to the need for more diverse stories and more support for diverse authors. This past week on Twitter I’ve seen lots of chatter about sexism and harassment of female authors in the SSF community. As goes the nation, so goes publishing. Barriers are being pushed down, as well they should be, and social media is aiding fuel to that important effort.
One area where I’d like to see more progress is ageism in publishing. Indies are writing the stories of their hearts and often finding readers who love same. But in certain genres—especially romance, but I’ll bet SSF too—Big Publishing still centers the stories of young characters, insisting that no one wants to read about the adventures, loves, or growth of mature characters. In fact, at THE major romance conference two years ago, an editor from a major romance publisher told a room full of authors that no one wanted to read romance heroines older than thirty-two. I call bullshit. The most interesting stories are those with diverse casts—and that diversity includes a range of ages.
We all know the old saw: Be the change you want to see in the world. I’ve barely dipped my toes into the “seasoned romance” subgenre, having written two heroines in their forties. I’m looking forward to future projects featuring older couples. For example—see my previous blog post for my latest book, Gelato Surprise, a steamy beach romance novella featuring a 42-year-old heroine—a mere babe , but a step in the right direction.
What changes would you like to see in the publishing world?
More mature heroines in romance sounds like a wonderful idea 🙂
Ronel visiting for IWSG day A Decade of Writing
I love the older characters. They have depth to them that is often hard won. Like wine you can find a young good one, but their is nothing better than one aged to perfection. CONGRATULATIONS on your book. I too am a woman with a younger man. D. V.
Excellent! So’s my sister-in-law. There’s an 11-year gap between her and Hubs’ youngest brother, and they’re a happy couple.
I love “seasoned” romances.
Agism sucks! There is a big market (so many readers who’d want these books) for romance books featuring characters who are 40+.
I agree–though you won’t hear that from many in big publishing.
I love seasoned characters as much as the younger ones. Love is love, as you say. In my own work, the story dictates the age of characters. I’d love your thoughts on age of authors agism too.
I can’t help but notice that the older authors who gain attention by national media are not beginning authors; they’re well-established literary lions. Breakout authors are often younger. But I meet lots of authors around my own age (57). After all, most younger writers have a day job and perhaps a young family competing for their time, while we olders often have more funds and time to devote to creative work. My small press publisher certainly doesn’t discriminate based on age, and indie publishing is open to all.
Hah! Totally agree.Not only do I write seasoned characters, I’ve loved reading about characters from diverse age groups, like, ALWAYS. And there’s a market out there. I read authors who have kids as well as grandmas in their books, such fun! Double ha, btw, my website caters to midage daters. Yup, we’re not dead yet.
Well, in my third Cassa book, the main character was in his sixties! Although the first book did start with him around twenty, but then it jumped to early forties for the second. I bucked the tradition!
Excellent!