We are on a Break
Breaking Up with Authors
Breakups are hard to do! I have never been good at breaking up with anyone from doctors to friends, to stores. I recently came to the realization that I must break up with some authors.
There could be many reasons why as a reader I might choose not to read a certain author anymore. Here are some possible reasons:
- Change in reading preferences: The reader’s interests and preferences might have changed, leading them to seek out different types of books and authors.
- Disappointment with previous work: The reader may have read a book or books by the author previously and been disappointed with the quality or direction of the writing.
- Ethical concerns: The reader may have learned of ethical concerns related to the author’s behavior or actions, which may have caused them to lose respect for the author and avoid reading their work.
- Personal values: The reader may have personal values that conflict with the author’s views or themes in their work, making it difficult for them to enjoy the writing.
- Political or social views: The reader may disagree with the author’s political or social views.
As I come to terms with the fact that I will depart this world with thousands of books left unread, I find solace in the freedom to read what I want, when I want. This acceptance has empowered me to easily set aside books that do not resonate with me. Additionally, I have come to acknowledge that there may be times when I have outgrown an author. This realization has been a more recent one for me.
I need to discuss my disappointment with certain romance books and why I have decided to break up with some authors. Like many readers, I have my favorite authors, but sometimes it’s necessary to remove them from my reading list.
Over the past two years, I have noticed that most traditionally published romance books no longer appeal to me. While they focus more on the main character’s personal growth and journey, they lack chemistry and a strong connection between the main characters, which is essential to the romance genre. In fact, many of these books would have been categorized as Women’s Fiction years ago, rather than romance.
Recently, many romance authors have followed a hybrid publishing model, where they publish some titles with traditional publishers and others independently. However, there is a significant disconnect between the two. Books published with traditional publishers often lack the expected chemistry and are kitschy, while independently published books fully embrace romance and its associated chemistry.
As a longtime romance reader, I crave stories that are emotionally satisfying, with strong chemistry between the main characters. I don’t want romance to be an afterthought or feel like it’s muted. When I encounter books that disappoint me, I feel let down by the author, especially given the high price point of an ebook from a traditional publisher.
Therefore, I have come to the realization that it’s okay to let go of an author, even if I love their books. For me, I know that if they are publishing with big traditional publishers, their books are not for me. It’s a hard choice to make, but ultimately, it’s worth it to find the books that satisfy my reading needs.
