Wednesdays With Joanne - "Don't be discouraged by statistics!"

Hi guys,

I'm not a math person, so please forgive my attempt to understand the latest RWR, Mar 2007, article with forthcoming ROMStats re Popular Fiction Sales and Title Output by Category.

In Popular Fiction Sales for 2005, romance holds a 26.4% share while religion/inspirational holds a 25.5% share. That looks like about half the Popular Fiction sales to me. In Title Output by Category sales for 2005, romance is responsible for 5,994 titles while religion/inspirational is responsible for 9,949 titles out of overall releases. Interesting, huh.

I pay particular note to these "statistics" because I'm always looking to see where my writing might have a fit, statistical or otherwise. I write historical romance set in the West, which logically "fits" into the popular romance category, and might be included in the 5,994 titles sold. Those of you who also write historicals, already know that we're not as high on the sales charts as erotica which, excuse the pun, is the coming thing, especially from RWA-approved e-publishers. When one considers the growing number of religion/inspirational titles, obviously out-selling pretty much every other category, the "statisfical fit" for us grows even more tight. Ouch!

We who write historical romance must "not be discouraged by these statistics," rather we should be encouraged by the obvious fact that what we're writing is perhaps more unique, and, one can only hope, will soon be in higher demand.

Love you guys,

Joanne