Romance Industry Statistics
(From Romance Writers of America-RWA.org)
POPULARITY OF ROMANCE FICTION
(source: Business of Consumer Book Publishing 2013)
- Romance fiction generated $1.438 billion in sales in 2012.
- Romance was the top-performing category on the best-seller lists in 2012 (across the NYT, USA Today, and PW best-seller lists).
- Romance fiction sales are estimated at $1.350 billion for 2013.
- 74.8 million people read at least one romance novel in 2008. (source: RWA Reader Survey)
Not yet convinced? Compare the numbers. Romance generated more revenue in 2012 than the other fiction genres. Romance outsold Religion/Inspirational Fiction ($1.438 billion to $707.9 million), Mystery (at $728.2 million), Science Fiction/Fantasy (at 590.8 million) and Classic Literary Fiction (at 470.5 million). (source: Simba Information) estimates
It's true that the majority of romance readers are women. In fact, it's 91%. But 9% of men read it, too. Then there are the men who read it in the more male-type novels. Stephen King, Dan Brown, and many others often have a thread of romance in their novels. For the women? No. It's there because it's a part of the human experience. We fall in love, both men and women.
Why do people read romance? In my very humble opinion, because, A) It is part of the human experience. At one time in our lives, we'll fall in love. We want to love and be loved. B) We like happily ever afters. We like to see a character not only win, but grow in the process of winning and become a better person. C) It gives us something to wish for, hope for, and experience ourselves.
Not only to other genres contain romance, but romance has its own sub-genres. Like Mystery? Try a Romantic Suspense. Do you enjoy Fantasy or Paranormal stories? There's Inspirational Romance for those who enjoy a religious slant. Are you a history buff? Historical Romance encompasses many periods of history. There are even stories for the younger set--Young Adult Romance. Anything you like, any type of characters, you can find them in Romance.
So what are you waiting for? Find your Happily-Ever-After and read a romance (or a dozen) this month! August is Read-A-Romance Month.
It's true that the majority of romance readers are women. In fact, it's 91%. But 9% of men read it, too. Then there are the men who read it in the more male-type novels. Stephen King, Dan Brown, and many others often have a thread of romance in their novels. For the women? No. It's there because it's a part of the human experience. We fall in love, both men and women.
Why do people read romance? In my very humble opinion, because, A) It is part of the human experience. At one time in our lives, we'll fall in love. We want to love and be loved. B) We like happily ever afters. We like to see a character not only win, but grow in the process of winning and become a better person. C) It gives us something to wish for, hope for, and experience ourselves.
Not only to other genres contain romance, but romance has its own sub-genres. Like Mystery? Try a Romantic Suspense. Do you enjoy Fantasy or Paranormal stories? There's Inspirational Romance for those who enjoy a religious slant. Are you a history buff? Historical Romance encompasses many periods of history. There are even stories for the younger set--Young Adult Romance. Anything you like, any type of characters, you can find them in Romance.
So what are you waiting for? Find your Happily-Ever-After and read a romance (or a dozen) this month! August is Read-A-Romance Month.
“Romance novels are birthday cake and life is often peanut butter and jelly. I think everyone should have lots of delicious romance novels lying around for those times when the peanut butter of life gets stuck to the roof of your mouth.” ― Janet Evanovich
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