Betina Krahn: More integration with other genres... pushing boundaries... literary legitimation is a ways off, still, but will happen. The whole romance genre (writing and reading) has been a sensual liberation for women of previous generations. I think the reason we see fewer romance readers in the younger years is they need less "sensual liberation." They've grown up in a sea of sometimes deceptive sensuality and their challenge is to find authenticity in relationship and sensuality. How can we help them find it in our writing? That may be the big question we face.
Sharon Robinson: Romance novels will continue to entertain and give hope to women around the world. Its popularity will be enhanced by inclusion of writers from a variety of races and cultures as well as stories that reflect the diversity of our lives.
Kat Martin: I think the field of romance is expanding all the time. In future, I think we'll see books with less happy endings (Silhouette is already doing this), I think we'll see more controversial subjects and more realistic writing. Whatever happens, I think the books will still be wonderful to read.
Brenda Joyce: Pure fantasy, pure escapism, historical, hot and get rid of the "love and laughter" stuff!
Donna Kauffman: I think now that contemporary stories have found a strong niche in the single title market, they will remain a strong force. However, while historicals might never be the dominant force they once were, I can't see them ever declining to the point where they'd disappear.
Amanda Scott: I haven't a clue. I think romance is timeless. In fact, I'd defy anyone to tell me what the present "trend" is.
Elizabeth Thornton: I haven't a clue! What I do know is that my books have changed over time because I want to try new things. I think that's where trends come from - authors trying new things. I want to write more humorous books. Is that a trend?
Susan Wiggs: My crystal ball must be on the blink, because I can't see a thing! Seriously, future trends are currently underway, but no one knows what they are, because the writers are probably unknown, and they're home laboring away in obscurity on a book that is going to be the Next Big Thing in publishing. Who knows? That book might be on my very own hard drive right now!
Lauren Bach: Trends come and go, only to resurface later with a different flair; a delightful new twist. The market will change and grow as the readership changes and grows. Certain themes will fall of out favor, then eventually reincarnate, updated. Guess it's sorta like hemlines. They go up, they go down. Sometimes, they even have cute little ruffles. I can only pray I have the right one in my closet when I need it.
Madeline Hunter: If only I knew! I can't begin to predict trends in the sub-genre sense, e.g., what historical period will be hot or whether contemporary romances will dominate the market. The only trend that I see is the recognition by some editors that the romance audience is more sophisticated than was previously thought, and those editors are seeking a variety of styles and themes in what they publish. The matter of authorial voice, that indefinable something by which a writer stamps any story as hers alone, is also becoming a bigger factor both in what is published and what is bought off the shelves.
Sherri Browning: Historical romance seems to be enjoying popularity with readers again. I think losing oneself in another world, a complete fantasy, appeals to readers now. I also think that romances are growing increasingly more mainstream in tone, and writers are being encouraged to strike out and try new things.
Shana Abe: I have no answer to that. Seems like every day I hear some dire new prediction. Historicals are out, contemporaries are hot. No, wait, only American Western historicals are out, the rest are selling like crazy, and only American Western historicals with *blond* heroes are the problem....
I'd consult my crystal ball, but my muse has gone sulking. She heard paranormals were on their way out. (I'm betting she's wrong.)
Nora Roberts: I never think about trends. The whole thing with trends is they're not meant to last. I'd rather concentrate on writing a good story with interesting people that will hold up to time.
Glenna McReynolds: A trend is actually something that happens after the fact. Some writer comes up with a story that captures other writers imaginations and makes them think "wow, that is so cool, I wonder what would happen if I did this or that" and they try it. A few of those in a row and you've got a trend, but it started with one writer's cool idea for a story. So I have no idea who is going to get the next cool idea that's going to galvanize a bunch of other writers to delve in and make it their own.
Sue-Ellen Welfonder: Well, gee, if I knew this ... I'd still be writing Scottish medievals because I think we should write what we love and not something just because it is a new trend. Trends come and go. Core likes and dislikes remain. That's why I believe British Isles - set romances will always have their place in readers' hearts even if some great romance set in Thailand hits the lists next summer. Seriously, though, I have seen a desire to attract young twenty-somethings lately. These readers supposedly enjoy big city-based contemporaries that don't necessarily have a Mr. Right at the end, but do provide a Mr. Right-for-Now. Also the cartoon covers seem to be making headway. Here, too, I suspect to attract younger readers. Neither of these appeal to me at all, but I am not in the target range. I doubt, though, that either of these trends will have the endurance of the good old-fashioned British-Isles-set Historical.
Jacquie D'Alessandro: If I knew that, I'd write one! Ha! Seriously, I don't know. I certainly do not see romances diminishing in popularity. In fact, with all the stress and strife in the world, I think readers will turn to romances even more for comfort. Of course, with the economy as it is, many readers' book purchasing budgets may be cut. In that case, they will spend less, and spend more selectively. That could go either way for newer and midlist authors-readers might choose to stick with the "stars" of the genre and not risk their book dollars on lesser known writers - or, because most books by newer and midlist writers are priced lower, it might persuade readers to spend their book dollars there. So - the answer to the question is I have absolutely no idea and can only keep my fingers crossed that I'm still employed at this time next year!
