Don't let the cover be your judge
May 05 '00 (Updated May 07 '00)
By now you all know I'm a romance writer, so I won't elaborate about that, but in defense of bodice rippers, please excuse the art departments for creating all the bodice rippers. Cover art is to blame for most of this. But also the reader, because publishing houses spend lots of money in their marketing departments trying to find out what the readers want, and these books sell well. It is only in the last few months that people have begun to complain. And if you don't like them, you should let the publisher know, not the writer.
That's not to say that there isn't sex in the books, there is, and what amounts to rape in some, today. However, this has been taken out of context to some extent because we must realize what era we are reading in. Years ago, men were much different, more bold, more apt to take a woman they wanted than the men of today. Women's liberation has ended the days of bodice rippers, but obviously the public is still fascinated with this or they wouldn't be reading it. And they are reading it, according to the polls. So if a writer is true to the history, then they must display this boldness in their writing. Just as movies have gotten less romantic with their westerns, so have the romance books. We go through phases of this, depending on what the majority want. For a long while, the majority wanted these books. The artist are merely exploiting what it about these books that set them apart--caveman tactics with a woman. Some find this attractive, even sexy. Some don't. But trends change and so will the books. Writers are sick of the covers too, but the promotional marketing departments think this sells the book. It's a on going battle. If you don't think so, write the publisher and tell them what you want to see.
In some ways it's offensive, but it was the truth too. So do we blame a writer who writes historical fiction, or do we blame ourselves for buying the bodice ripper in the first place.
Please believe me when I say that there are numerous writers who wish the art departments would quit inventing new body ripping covers. But writers have no control over this. The publishing house usually has the last word. And many writers cringe when they see it.
However, some enjoy it, applaud it, because this was the age when men were men, and women were women.
My new romance, Pretend Mom, has a woman on the cover, no bodice ripping here, just a sweet country girl, yet she's a rock star. Go figure.
We are going into a new millenium, why can't we open our minds and hearts and accept things and quit making such big deals of them.
Contemporary romance usually has a man half dressed on the cover. Sexy, yes, appealing yes. But oh so predictable.
This whole issue is nothing more than advertising. Studies have shown what sells. And obviously bodice rippers have sold a long time. And in order to sell, this has to be what the majority wants, so who is to blame for the bodice rippers?
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Epinions.com ID:
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Member: Rita Hestand
Location: Wylie, Texas
Reviews written: 121
Trusted by: 10 members
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