As journalist Edward Wyatt says, “Romance is not dead, but it may be suffering a slow death”. SIGH
This article in today’s NYT (registration required) profiles the history of Harlequin romances, and how the newer genres of chick lit and women’s thrillers are providing stiff competition to the more traditional bodice-ripping stuff.
In an interview last week, Donna Hayes, Harlequin’s chief executive, said,”If we see the mass-market paperback trend turn around, that will have an immediate impact on us,” Ms. Hayes said. But asked when that might happen, she answered, “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Of course, Harlequin’s current lower sales figures only look bad when compared with its previous, staggering success. This article includes some interesting figures (ed. – no, not voluptuous ones) on sales.
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