The Grand Illusion
As most of my readers know, there’s an element of romance in most of the books I’ve written, and sometimes even more than that, but I tend to present sex in what I call “thirties movies sex,” where a chapter ends in an embrace, suggestive language, or some similar fashion, and then the two reappear together either later or in the next morning.
The latest furor in the publishing world appears to be “romantasy.” From sales figures and from conversations with editors I know, romantasy appears to be taking over the speculative fiction field. Good hard science fiction is getting more and more difficult to find, and fewer major houses are purchasing and releasing it. Fewer and fewer straight fantasy novels, those that are being published, contain a freshness of view and style, and more than a few portray magic systems that, shall I say, lack any semblance of internal consistency.
Romantasy is supposedly a fusion of romance and fantasy, but in many so-called romantasies that fusion is more like fantasy, romance, and graphic erotica.
Some romantasy authors write very well, and more than once I’ve been engrossed in an interesting and intriguing book, only to have it come to a dead stop while the protagonists engage in detailed and fiery, possibly physically improbable, sexual gymnastics. I don’t mind a certain limited amount of that, but, as one deceased F&SF author noted, at some point sexual gymnastics become the mechanics of plumbing, at least for me.
In this respect, I’m definitely old-school, because I tend to favor writing about accomplishments, either single or joint, over endless rhapsodizing on the peaks of sexual consummation. But it’s also clear that such rhapsodizing sells – really sells. I recently read that one romantasy author’s latest book sold over 2.7 million copies in less than a week, but then it mixes that sex and romance with military dragon riders. I don’t know whether Anne McCaffrey is turning over in her grave or laughing her head off in the great beyond.
This type of writing might also be labeled “wish fulfillment”, since it includes pornstar sex and superhero magic.
I remember talking with a friend about the triumphal moment in a story (no sex), and saying “but we can skip all the congratulations,” to which he said that no, he really liked all that.
If readers feel like closing on a passionate kiss doesn’t give them the satisfaction they’re looking for, then I guess authors need to head into erotica territory.
That said, I don’t need it, and I don’t need LEM to be one of those authors. I remember the 1970s and the “new wave,” and the increase in reasonably frank sex in sf.
Fifty years ago, that is. The “new wave” died out.
And I think there’s a reason for that. When sf is good, it’s presenting a novel concept. No offense, but sex really isn’t all that novel…
Niven’s Ringworld series started so well with graphic panoramas but then went down this route.
One of the aspects I particularly enjoy about your novels is the romantic relationships that don’t rely solely on base attraction. While there is definitely attraction involved it is far from the sole factor. In fact, your characters exhibit a decidedly healthy relationship. Both people bring value and are mutually respected for their insight and gifts. Unfortunately, many people today would find this type of relationship the most unbelievable aspect of your books.
Because romantasy has become so common I find myself gravitating to less adult books to get away from the pornographic themes. I’m clearly in the minority though.
Wikipedia states: “Authors of novels labeled as romantasy are largely women, as is the market, and the novels are known for representing minorities.”
I am somewhat surprised at the initial part of that that statement. Why should I not be surprised?
Women reading romance novels is not surprising but this genre is not just romance.
My wife is an early adopter of this genre and perhaps more aptly refers to it as “fantasy smut.”
After some coaxing, I am now halfway the second installment in the series you’re referring to by Rebecca Yarros. It’s not bad and clearly inspired by McCaffrey’s Pern.
The 14 page sex scenes are a bit much for my taste but I’m in it for the story at this point.
I would be curious if the “romantasy” craze has been a boon for more traditional and established fantasy/science fiction authors? Rising tide and all that?
I can’t speak for other authors, but from what I can tell personally, so far the romantasy craze hasn’t had a significant impact on my sales. It has had an impact on up and coming writers who don’t write it because editors and possibly agents are less likely to buy as much from new non-romantasy authors.
Realistically, there’s something in that type of writing that fullfills or fits a dream the reader might feel they can’t attain.
I very much enjoy your works on their merits and their message but I’d be a liar if I said the idea of having enough power to tell a corrupt person that “no, you won’t continue this way or you’ll be removed” is incredibly satisfactory. Karl remains among my favorite books purely because of his last encounter with the Lord of the Western Quadrant.
On that similar note, it’s becoming more and more apparent that a great many people are either not finding the romance they want or the romance they thought they wanted isn’t actually the relationshi they’d like. At that point a book with that type of material is going to do for them the same thing your books do for me, just on a different lane.
As for more hard sci-fi selling. I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m going to be honest here and say that your works and a few others essentially Flowers from Algernoned my view of the genre. I’ve tried to give chances to other authors who give the same level respect to world building and magic consistency and… They’re just not as good and I can’t stay with them.
This has even been with Authors I respect or enjoyed reading some of their work but can’t keep going because it just isn’t as good at the subject.