Love is colourblind? The need for romantasy books becoming more diverse
Exploring the Spectrum of Love: Embracing Diversity in Romantic Fantasy Literature.
As we wrap up this year of book releases Goodreads—the popular app for readers/authors is revealing the most read books of 2024, their ‘Romantasy’ catalogue being the most anticipated end of year wrap up.
If you’re a book addict you may be familiar with titles such as ‘Iron Flame’ sequel to the popular ‘Fourth Wing’ series by Rebecca Yarros making the list. As well as titles such as ‘A Court of Shadows’ by C N Crawford and ‘Queen of Shadows’ by Sarah J Maas making it onto your bookshelves. However, one aspect that these have in common with each other is not just their notoriety but they share a common theme. All of them showcase a white herione.
Now this isn’t necessarily a problem as these books have a loyal readership due to the strength of the writing, plot and how much they have been pushed into the mainstream. In a Guardian article, Anthony Horowitz prefaced that writers should not be instructed to make their books more diverse. We can all agree that authors should not be forced to include any characters of colour in their book for the sake of checking a diversity quota—although this doesn't mean that there isn’t a problem visble here. UK authors in 2019 were 94% white. The figure has improved over the years but alot of POC fans are calling upon more exposure to their stories through giving opportunities to those that look at them.
In this realm of literature, where imagination knows no bounds, people of colour expect love stories to transcend the barriers of race and ethnicity.
Yet, as we delve into the world of ROMANTASY—a genre that blends romance and fantasy—we find a landscape that a singular narrative has long dominated. Due to TikTok, Romantacy has become the most sought-after type of book, with 660.0K posts under the hashtag.
The question arises: Is love truly colourblind in the pages of our favourite books?
The Current State of Romantasy
Romantasy has captivated readers with its magical blend of heart-fluttering romance and fantastical worlds. However, a closer look reveals a glaring disparity in representation. For years, the protagonists of these tales have predominantly been monorace and monoethinic, leaving readers of colour yearning to see themselves reflected in the stories they cherish.
Bloomsbury reported hitting another milestone with Sarah J. Maas and the acquisition of the Rowman & Littlefield academic group, resulting in a revenue jump of 32% to 179.8 million. This shows how romance novels are contributing to book sales overall becoming a clear contribution to overall sales of fictional literature.
Recent data from the UK book market conducted with Nielson Bookscan paints a telling picture of the evolving landscape of Romantasy featuring characters of colour (POC).
In 2020, a handful of titles by authors of colour made their mark, with books like "Cinderella Is Dead" by Kalynn Bayron and "Raybearer" by Jordan Ifueko leading the charge.
Fast forward to 2024, and we see a significant increase in both the number and popularity of Romantasy books with POC characters.
Here are the numbers! 2020 snapshot of UK book volume:
BAR CHART SHOWING 2020 ROMANTACY BOOKS FEATURING POC MAIN CHARACTERS UK VOLUME AND VALUE.
Total UK Value: £137,623.34
2024 Projection:
BAR CHART SHOWING 2024 ROMANTACY BOOKS FEATURING POC MAIN CHARACTERS UK VOLUME AND VALUE.
Total UK Value: £546,008.08
This shows a growth of 154% increase in volume and a 297% increase in value—which speaks volumes about how much diverse romantasy is sought out for. It's not just about more books being published; it's about these books resonating with a wider audience and commanding higher average selling prices (ASPs). Thus expanding the reach for more diverse characters being showcased.
Breaking Down the Numbers.
Let's examine some standout titles from 2024:
"Sleep Like Death" by Kalynn Bayron
UK Volume: 10,203 units
UK Value: £152,942.97
UK ASP: £14.99
"God and the Gumiho" by Sophie Kim
UK Volume: 10,572 units
UK Value: £208,941.38
UK ASP: £19.77
"Lore of the Wilds" by Analeigh Sbrana
UK Volume: 8,095 units
UK Value: £132,765.97
UK ASP: £16.40
Figures demonstrate sales but also indicate that readers are willing to pay premium prices for diverse Romantasy titles. That is also reflective in the volume of units that are sold for each book.
The Impact of Representation
The surge in popularity of POC-centered Romantasy isn't just a trend—it’s the answer to an ongoing diversity issue in the publishing world. These books offer more than just entertainment; they provide validation and inspiration to readers who have long been underrepresented in the genre.
When readers see characters who look like them wielding magic, falling in love, and saving worlds, it sends a powerful message: their stories matter. It challenges the notion that only one type of hero can exist in fantastical realms.
For readers from all backgrounds, diverse Romantasy opens doors to new cultures, mythologies, and ways of seeing the world.
The Economic Argument
Publishers and booksellers take note: diversity sells. The dramatic increase in both volume and value of POC Romantasy books from 2020 to 2024 isn't just good for representation—it's good for business.
Consider this comparison:
This table clearly illustrates the financial growth in the diverse romantasy market. It's a win-win scenario where cultural richness meets economic viability.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Some argue that the industry still has a long way to go in terms of equitable representation and marketing support for POC authors.
Visibility and Marketing
While books like "Eternal Ones" by Namina Forna and "So Let Them Burn" by Kamila Cole are making waves, there's still a need for more prominent shelf space and marketing campaigns for diverse titles. These include making space for these books in local bookstares and even franchise bookstores.
The demand for diverse romantasy grows, it's crucial to ensure that these stories are told authentically, preferably by authors who can draw from their own cultural experiences. These should be a reflection of their own audience that they are trying to market to.
The future of romantasy
The data suggests a bright future for diverse romantasy. If the trend continues, we can expect to see:
More debut authors of colour breaking into the genre
Increased representation across various cultures and ethnicities
Higher advances and better publishing deals for POC authors
A Call to Action
For the Romantasy genre to truly reflect the diversity of its readership, continued support is essential. Here's how different stakeholders can contribute:
Readers:
Actively seek out and purchase Romantasy books by POC authors, or even as simple as to repost social media of POC authors for them to gain reach!
Share recommendations and leave reviews to boost visibility.
Publishers:
Invest in finding and nurturing diverse voices
Provide marketing support for POC authors
Booksellers:
Create dedicated displays for diverse romantasy
Authors:
Collaborate and mentor emerging POC writers
Challenge stereotypes and push boundaries in storytelling.
Conclusion: Love in Every Colour
As we look at the data and the stories behind them, it becomes clear that love in romantasy is not and should not be colourblind. Instead, it should be colour-rich, embracing the full spectrum of human experiences and every kind of identity. In a realm where romance and fantasy intertwine to give us a symphonic blend of the real and unreal.
The rise of diverse romantasy books is not just a fleeting trend but what has been missing from the industry. As we move forward, let's continue to champion diversity in romantasy. Let's create and support stories where love knows no boundaries—be they racial, cultural, or magical. For in doing so, we enrich not only our bookshelves but also create gateways for escapism in every sense of the word. In the end, the message is clear: diverse romantasy isn't just important—it's essential. Let's ensure that every reader can find a magical love story that speaks to their heart, regardless of the colour of their skin or where they are from.
REFERENCES:
PublishersWeekly.com. (2024). With Romantasy Still Soaring, Bloomsbury Hits Another Record. [online] Available at: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/96298-with-romantasy-still-soaring-bloomsbury-hits-another-record.html [Accessed 2 Dec. 2024].
Knight, L. (2024). Anthony Horowitz: writers should not be told to make books more diverse. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/may/24/anthony-horowitz-writers-not-told-books-more-diverse [Accessed 1 Dec. 2024].