I read the Erica Jong article you discussed when it was published and felt indignant. Maybe more than you did. Even though you say this was the bra-burning episode, it really seemed that you were saying, "The NY Times, who needs 'em? Not us!"

The thing that puzzles me the most is independent book stores who turn their backs on romance novels. Or carry a token one or two. They're turning money away, aren't they?

And why should writers of sad stories get more respect than writers of stories that make us feel good? It's easier to get someone to cry for cheesy reasons than to get an honest laugh. But then, I'll forgive a lot if an author makes me laugh.

I think that science fiction has come a long way since it was all pulp magazines. Not that cheesy sci fi doesn't still get published but most sci fi is better than it's covers lead you to believe. And it's all stand alone titles published with the author's name on top--not the series name on top. But there is still lots of series (or whatever you call harlequin type publishing) romance out there as well as the stand alone titles.

It's a sort of Catch-22 thing--with the series, it gives new writers more chance to get published than in a genre that doesn't have that. But the existence of harlequin, etc. creates less respect for the entire genre. Why is that? Because there is a formula that has to be followed for series books, maybe? What do you think?

You're right, Sara - about all of it. Which is why I feel like I should be angrier about it, but in reality, I'm not. I mean, romance writers get access to their readers. The literati may have huge platforms upon which to wail about the existence of romance... but we've got the readers. So as far as I'm concerned, I guess, we've already won. I care about the readers, I have them, so I really don't give a crap about the literati. I think it's a shame that some independent bookstores won't stock romance, but that's the glory of being an independent bookstore - you stock what you like. And I can't stay mad at them, because I love them too much. I think the only thing I can do is write the best books I can, and support my friends who are writing great books. I don't know - I'm just not terribly indignant about it. Now you want to hear a fight, you should have been there for the discussion Sam and I had about ARCs afterward - we're gonna have to bring that to a broadcast one of these days. Fight! Fight! Fight! :)

Okay everyone - Sam's going to Dallas this week - be sure to pop in here and wish her a nice trip!

Ooh, I want to hear about arcs! I do, I do. Especially if there is fighting involved.

And I want to make a couple of recommendations:
1) Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci (or some close spelling approximation) for graphic novel readers everywhere. The new Minx line rocks.
2) Bonterra Chardonnay--yum.