BronzeWord Latino Book Tours wanted to surprise me with some stamps displaying my book cover as a thank you gift for doing the book tour. 
Sadly, the postage provider denied the request based on the following criteria:
— Design may be considered obscene, pornographic, or sexually suggestive, including most depictions of artistic nudity.
— Design includes material that XXXXX believes would hurt its reputation.
It’s not the first time a romance cover has elicited such a response. Some romance novels have been banned by certain stores due to their covers and it’s no secret that at least one large chain has enough power to suggest changes to both book titles and covers.
So why is it that romance novels get such scrutiny? Why is it that an assortment of men’s magazines can show so much more skin and yet face no such censorship? Or for that matter, why is that romance novels have earned monikers such as “trash” or “porn? and that some men believe that romances instill unrealistic relationship ideals in woman?
Cutting to the chase – romance novels oftentimes contain sexual matter, sometimes explicit, but there are also many romances without sex or that are inspirational. Romance novels do portray relationships that are idealistic, whether the hero happens to be a vampire, Navy SEAL or pirate. In fact, all romance novels have one thing in common – they believe in a happily-ever-after. That’s the big payoff for romance readers – an emotionally fulfilling ending.
The question is: Does a woman taking control of her life to find emotional (and physical) satisfaction warrant censure?
I hope your answer to that question is a big “No.”
Why shouldn’t women read novels where they can identify with the heroine, cheer with her when she accomplishes her goals , enjoy the depiction of a relationship that is fulfilling, and along the way, be entertained? And as for those critics who say that women can’t separate fiction from real life, do we ask men who read Ian Fleming the same thing? Do we worry that men may slip into the persona of James Bond because they are not intelligent enough to understand that they are not superspies?
Of course not. To imply that women cannot make that distinction is blatant chauvinism. Now we’ve finally gotten to the crux of why romance novels get trashed – because they are totally dedicated to women and those things that women
consider important.
By now you are probably wondering why I’m so passionate about the romance industry. The answer is simple: I’m passionate about the romance industry because I’m passionate about women.
I want to write books that entertain and enlighten women and by writing romance I am doing just that. Not to mention that the romance industry is mostly run by women. From publishers to editors to agents to authors to readers, women rule the roost.
Another reason why romances and the romance industry are likely subject to chauvinistic attack.
Rather silly considering that 2009 romance sales were estimated to be $1.36 billion (yes, BILLION) and that nearly 74.8 million people read at least one romance in 2008. In addition, romance was the top performing category on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly best-seller lists.
What’s even sadder is that romances are unfortunately often attacked by women. It’s not unusual for me to hear another female say to me at a book signing that they do not read “that trash.” I even had a recent incident where the subtle and not so subtle tones of a female interview host conveyed dismay that she had to question a paperback writer of “questionable” commercial fiction.
Bottom line: Don’t judge a book or author by a cover. Today’s romances are far different from the five and dime novels that launched the genre. Today’s romances deal with real life issues that are of interest to women. Romance novels satisfy and entertain and the romance industry economically supports a large number of women in various positions in publishing.
So do something for women’s liberation today – pick up a romance novel!
Book Tour Schedule:
Jan 11: Jo Ann BronzeWord Latino Authors http://www.authorslatino.com/blog
Jan 12: Lara Julia Amante http://www.juliaamante.blogspot.com
Jan 13: Mayra Latino Books Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-6309-Latino-Books-Examiner
Jan 14: Kate Babbling About Books and More http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/
Jan 15: Tasha Heidenkind http://www.heidenkind.blogspot.com
Jan 18: Glendaliz Una in a million http://unainamillion.blogspot.com
Jan 19: Erin Pagan Spirits http://www.erinoriordan.blogspot.com
Jan 20: Alice Bergers Book Reviews http://www.bergersbookreviews.wordpress.com
Jan 21: Blodeuedd Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell http://books-forlife.blogspot.com
Jan 22: Misa Chasing Heroes http://www.chasingheroes.com
PRIZE:
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![The%20Throwaway%20Piece[1]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/3184323227_c3f386b57c_m.jpg)
Thank you Caridad for honoring my blog with the first day of your book tour. I appreciate your insightful article on the trials of romance writer. I hope you enjoy your stay here today.
Jo Ann
Good Morning
This book had just the rite amount of SciFi to catch and hols my attention, This was the first book I have read by Caridad and I am planning on reradinjg the second
Caridad-you have won me over! I haven’t been a big reader of Romance, for no real reason really, but with this powerfully feminist and passionate essay, I think I may have found a new genre to explore in 2010. 74.8 million romantics can’t be wrong!
Thanks for the though-provoking post!
Great blog, Caridad! I know most authors don’t have a say in what their book covers look like. Now that you have written over 25 books, do you get any input into your covers? Thanks.
Loved SINS OF THE FLESH by the way.
Hi Kathy, Nilki, and Vincent for stopping by. Yeah this is a great book and have you seen her newsletter or go to her website and see the long long list of books she has published. Very impressive.
Jo Ann
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Caridad. You’d think after all these years and romance novels consistently being written, read and making billions, they’d get more respect, right?
Looking forward to reading your new book.
Leave A Comment With Your Email Addy!
I Can Understand Your Frustration About People’s Opinions About Sexy Book Covers And How People Classify Romance Novels. I Have Been Reading Romance Novels Since I Was 14 And Back Then The Covers Were Not As Sizzling As They Are Now And They Still Had A Bad Reputation. People Never Give These Books The Respect They Deserve. If They Would Just Give Them A Chance They Would See That They Are Not A “Vile” Or “Evil” As Some People Might Believe.
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Kudos to Caridad for a very powerful post. Thanks to voices like this, I believe one day romance novels will receive the recognition they so truly deserve.
Way To Go Caridad..I think men has more things out there that shows more skin than most of our things..why can men view naked ladies but us ladies can’t view naked men. I think that is not fair at all. susan L.
Thank you all for dropping by and for leaving comments. As for whether or not I get cover approval yet – the answer is that I don’t. It’s unusual to have that, although some bestselling authors do get approval on their covers. I will say that my current publisher, Grand Central Publishing, kept me apprised step-by-step and showed me the cover right away. They asked for my opinion, but it was such a great cover!
Hi Caridad,
Thought-provoking and insightful post–a great start for a blog tour!
Your writing credentials are so impressive–and on top of that, you’re also a lawyer! How do you find the time to balance a high-power career with writing? How long do you write each day?
Good luck with the tour!
Mayra
Hi Caridad,
Great post, I’m very curious how writers come up with stories. Do you have a general idea of where the story is going (outline) or does the story just come along as you write?
Melissa
Great post Caridad. As one of those romance readers, I certainly agree with you. I’m doing my part for women by reading as many romances as I can.
)
Certain people will always be uncomfortable with women having power, whether sexual, financial, cultural, etc., Women and power can be a scary thing.
I don’t agree with censoring this cover at all. Not just because I am a female artist/illustrator myself and don’t believe in that sort of thing, but also because the only “scandal” that can be derived from the image is that the man is somehow submissive to the woman here. It’s a pity THIS got some folks up in arms; it’s FAR more tasteful than some of the covers of Maxim magazine that I’ve seen.
Thanks, Christina. I appreciate your support.
Seriously? Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying, I’m in agreement with you partly, but when you say something like this you need to be ready to defend it.
Alas, the lure of fat paychecks and exhibitionist number-one spots at the box office got the better of them, and as they slipped into middle-age, their collaborations gradually became stale and soulless as they sacrificed depth for marketability. Eventually the gods of world cinema banished Depp and Burton to the land of sell-outs where they were forced to contemplate their insatiable greed for the rest of their days. The end…or was that simply a wonderful dream?