Three Types of Love Scenes in Romance Novels
Sweet, Sensual or Erotica? What do Publisher's Guidelines Mean?
Nov 2, 2009
Most romance novels are targeted to a specific audience and have detailed guidelines as to what level of romance they require. The same publishing house may have several different lines of romance, ranging from sweet to sensual to spicy or erotic. These books are usually prominently labeled so readers can easily find the type of romance they want to read.
Sweet Romances
The market for sweet romances is family-oriented. These books are suitable for a general audience, including young teens. Sweet romances consist of chaste kisses and light romantic scenes. Love scenes are not consummated, or if they are no details are given. If they were films, they would have a G rating.
Many inspirational romance publishers such as Bethany House and Barbour Publishing fall into this category. Sweet romances do not necessarily have to have a Christian theme, unless they are published by a Christian publisher. Many contemporary, Regency, and romantic suspense novels also fall into the sweet romance category. Harlequin Publishing has for many years produced a line of sweet contemporary romances targeted for a general readership, though they also produce imprints with varying levels of sensuality. Hardback presses who market their books to libraries, such as Avalon Books, also prefer sweet romances.
Sensual Romances
In a sensual romance, there may be consummated love scenes, but the tone and language is suggestive rather than explicit. The difference between the sensual romance and the erotic romance is that sensual romances rely on euphemisms and descriptions of love scenes that are not graphic. Sensual romances are the equivalent of a light R rating in movies, while erotica would require an X rating.
The sensual category has a wide range. Many popular paperback romances fall into this category, including historical romances. The Silhouette Desire imprint of Harlequin also publishes sensual romances. Though sex plays an integral role in the story, the emphasis is usually on the storyline and characters rather than on steamy sex scenes. The line between sensual and erotic can be thinly drawn, depending upon the publisher's definition.
Erotic Romance
Erotic novels leave no holds barred. There will be direct language and frequent, explicit love scenes. There is a big market for erotica on the internet. These books are often sold in e-book form. Many traditional online publishers have “sister sites” that sell erotic books under a different logo.
Publishers with Multiple Subgenres
Some publishers divide their romances into several different subgenres according to the sensuality level. For example, The Wild Rose Press has thirteen subgenres ranging from White Rose Inspirational to Scarlet Rose Erotic Romance. Sometimes publishers rate their books with stars, flames, champagne glasses, or other symbols to indicate the level of sensuality the reader should expect.
Authors should study the guidelines, and if a publisher has several different lines choose the one that most closely fits their novel. Authors should always be careful to read the publisher’s specific guidelines, and to never send in a manuscript that does not fit. To send an erotic book to a line that publishes mostly sweet romance is a waste of time, and vice versa.
Publishers of Sweet and Inspirational Romance
- Harlequin Romance, Harlequin American
- Wild Rose-White Rose, Sweetheart Rose
- Avalon Romance
- Bethany House (inspirational)
- Barbour (inspirational)
Publishers of Sensual Romance
- Harlequin Presents
- Silhouette Desire
- Pocket Books (historicals)
- Leisure Lovespell
Publishers of Erotica
- Wild Rose-Scarlet Rose
- Siren Publishing
- Amber Quill-Amber Heat
- Red Sage Publishing
Read More:
When Does a Novel Need a Prologue or Epilogue?
American Gothic Romance Authors
 |
