Madonna shot a video with her nailed to a cross. Paris Hilton’s sex tape came out a month or so before the debut of her reality series on Fox. It seems every time you turn around, someone has a sex tape, a certain celebrity’s daughter has decided her ticket to stardom is to turn to porn, some tv news anchor has a complete meltdown–or sound off–on his bosses and an unnamed faux news anchor comedian while waving his just released book in his left hand.
Is Madonna still relevant in music? Are people still talking about her? Did Paris Hilton go on to enjoy a certain celebrity? Did all the people mentioned or not mentioned by name above put their names not only in the headlines but on the lips of the general public? They sure did. The media covered their controversy extensively, lucrative interviews and or book deals followed. What does that tell me? Controversy is now a marketing tool whether you agree with the method or not.
Does the same apply to romance authors? I wondered aloud to myself yesterday. First I had to try to think of a book that rattled the romance reading public because it caused a certain amount of controversy. It was hard because I don’t think I’ve ever bought a book because controversy surrounded it. I’ve bought books based on positive buzz, never negative. Then I wondered, again to myself…aloud, would I ever write a book hoping for controversy to make the book stand out in a crowd of thousands of books similar to mine–and by similar I mean a romance with the required HEA?
My sister’s reaction was a violent no! Never. Never. Never. She thinks it’s plain wrong. I, playing the devil’s advocate, had to trot out my examples of those celebrities above and asked her why is it worse than what they did to get their moment in the spotlight or to stay relevant. Why was she criticizing a romance writer for wanting a chance at publication soooo badly that they, with foresight and a certain amount of calculation, would write a book they hoped to cause controversy. Is that wrong? After all, it is not easy to get published, especially by a New York publisher. And, if anyone knows that controversy sells, it’s publishing companies. So why not give yourself the edge?
Even as I wrote this post, I was torn by my feelings on this particular subject. On one hand, I want to be able to write the book of my heart and have those successfully published. On the other hand, I know the reality of what it takes to be picked from a pile of many, many wonderful books–books all worthy of publication. It’s hard plain and simple. It’s just as hard to get agent representation; remember these folks read the good, the bad, and the ugly for a living. They’ve seen the same plot retold in a five thousand different ways. Catching their interest is only the start. Holding their interest is near impossible.
Writing a book sure to stir up controversy requires more than writing a book pushing the boundaries. Writing this kind of book requires you write a book you wouldn’t write but for the fervent wish that it will cause controversy. The book is predicated on the desire to cause a stir, not because the writing is beautiful, not because the story is fabulous but because this book will make people talk. And they’ll talk loudly, sometimes violently, railing you as others take to the book stores to find out what all the fuss is about.
So again, would I write this kind of book? No, in the end, I knew I would not–could not. I really have to love the kind of stories I write, that’s why I became a writer. Controversy might sell a book once, maybe even twice, but that won’t give an author a career because at the end of the day what will keep the readers coming back to read their books again and again is their story telling ability. Satisfy them in this, and you’ll have fans for life (or for as long as you keep putting out great books).
So the question of the day is can you remember the last romance novel surrounded by controversy? Did you buy it? How do you feel about books like this? Can you pick them out?
Comment and enter to win an advance copy of Lorraine Heath’s PASSIONS OF A WICKED EARL and Cathie Linz’s LUCK BE A LADY.
Claiming the Courtesan pops to mind. I didn’t really have strong feelings about it either way. The controversy probably did make me more interested in reading it, but then it was kind of a let down. 🙂
I don’t recall if there was one i’ve even heard of that was …. but if i wanted to read a book or an authors work i just would. i suppose it would depend on the controversy… but mostly i think yea i’d be intrigued… and if i could would probably read it.
I don’t really remember a book that might have been controversial that I’ve read….I don’t like controversial storylines anyway and don’t want to have to deal with wrapping my brain around premises and concepts I don’t like. I’m not saying that I don’t want the hero and heroine to have totally smooth sailing in their road to HEA, but I want to enjoy the story and not feel shocked or galled by a story’s plot, characters, etc.
I do not think I have read a book that has a lot of controversy. I do believe that in the real world celebrities do get their moments of fame based on controversy but they have to continue to do outrageous things in order to stay relevant because that is the only thing they are known for. I believe it is better to do something that lasts for a long time rather than being a string of one hit wonders.
I can’t remember a romance novel that was surrounded by controversy, although I have read books in other genres that were controversial (particularly non-fiction stories and/or erotica). Depending on the type of controversy, I would be fairly likely to read a novel simply because it was controversial, but I wouldn’t come back to the author again if I didn’t enjoy their plot and characters!
Actually I can’t think of one at all. I guess it doesn’t influence me much. If its a story line that I like then I’ll pick it up.
I bought a book by Lisa Valdez a few years ago called “Passion”. I had heard alot of talk about it being a very very sexual historical romance and I got curious. Also, I was in the mood for a “hot” romance at that time. I guess it depends on my mood, if the book grabs my interest. It also depends on what the controversy is about. If it was a very violent book I wouldn’t have bothered with it because I’m not interested in violence. Sexy books catch my interest by I have my limits.
Thanks for two more book giveaways! The books look great. “Luck be a Lady” looks like alot of fun.
I can’t think of any romance novels I’ve read that had been surrounded by controversy. I think I would pick up a book just because people were talking about it.
I can’t remember hearing of any romance novels surrounded by controversy. If I did hear of one, I probably wouldn’t buy it because I feel that the writing might suffer due to the author trying to fit in whatever the controversy was. I’d rather just skip it and look for something to read that I know will be a great romance that I’ll enjoy.
I haven’t really heard any romance novels that were surrounded by controversy… I have read books surrounded by controversy, though and some are good than others. The only thing that comes to mind right now are Dan Brown’s books and I did read it when there was talk about the book. I also think the Harry Potter series had some controversy in the past but I love reading them (and I still re-read them all the time).
IMHO controversies can make or break the author. However, they don’t determine why I read them. I’ve heard of other controversies but have passed reading them because I was just not interested.
Didn’t TEMPTING EDEN/Margaret Rowe cause a bit of a kerfluffle? It is on my Amazon wish list but I’m on a strict budget at the moment so haven’t had a chance to order it…
Claiming the Courtesan came to my mind, too, and I felt the same as Willa.
An older romance also comes to mind, Whitney My Love by Judith McNaught, which I read many years ago. Controversy over a forced seduction scene and the hero’s domineering attitudue, and a spanking scene with a riding crop. I don’t remember it being a big deal to me at the time, but there was so much talk about, a revised edition later came out revising those scenes.
I’m not a fan of a controversial story. Stuff surrounding, for example, Paris Hilton gives me a bad taste and I tend to ignore it as much as possible. So besides not remembering reading a controversial romance, I don’t think I’m tempted to buy one either.
I totally agree that it is very, very hard to stand out as an author and that some authors may take the decision to be deliberately controversial in either their subject matter or in the way that they promote the book simply to garner attention. It doesn’t happen often but the one that I remember was Amanda Foreman, who wrote the biography of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire that the film The Duchess was based on. She posed in the nude with a big pile of books when it was first published. It certainly got her a lot of press coverage!
@Babs
I don’t know that I would consider TEMPTING EDEN controversial. I think it really pushed the boundaries of erotic historical romance but I think that was the extent of what it did.
@Willaful I did hear that some considered Anna Campbell’s CLAIMING THE COURTESAN controversial. I personally didn’t hear the bruhaha, I was told it occurred. I’d never heard the term Regency Noir prior to Anna’s book but I think when a ‘new’ subgenre is introduced like that, it will kick up a bit of a fuss.
@Nicola Cornick
Nicola, now THAT I consider creating controversy! This is the first time I’m hearing about it and that was definitely all about marketing and meant to shock.
I also think that the general public has seen so much and read so many different kinds of books, it’s really hard to shock us anymore. I think for something to be considered controversial in the current time, it would have to be WAY out there. I think we’re a little jaded with it all and we immediately see attempts at trying to grab the spotlight in that way for what it is.
Yes, controversy does indeed sell….for some. If a book gets lots of hype, some will rush out to buy it while others will choose to skip it.
Thanks for the giveaway! I’m only interested in the L. Heath book.
I love controversy. I think it makes for interesting drama, which is always fun to read.
I am more inclined to buy a book that everyone is talking about because they have good things to say about it. I love books of the heart. And readers can usually tell when a book is being written to fulfill the current craze it it’s not what the author really wants to write about.
Thinking back on historical romances I read in the 70’s, there where several books on the market that featured ‘forced seduction’ scenes, kidnapping and other controversial topics, but that’s the way most of the books where written in those days. Personally, today in my reading material, I prefer less controversy. I don’t mind reading what is termed ‘Regency Noir’ as long as I know up front what I’ll be reading. That said, I guess it really depends on the theme of the controversy!
can’t think of a single one. I wouldn’t pick up a book because of controversy either (at most I might flip through it at the store or library out of curiosity, but unless the story itself sounded good to me I wouldn’t spend my money on it.
I am not sure if it was controversial, but ‘A Pirate’s Love’ by Johanna Lindsey was pretty incendiary to me. The heroine was being ‘raped’ by the ‘hero’ and eventually fell in love. The subject of rape was tossed around a lot in this book and it was as if it were just a little indiscretion. Even when the heroine mother came into the picture, she was docile about it and pretty much told her to just try and enjoy it. They were on the boat, she stayed in the cabin in the day because she was his prisoner and so tempting that she would distract the crew, and then every night, he would have to force his attentions on her. At first she didn’t like it, but her body betrayed her…..After finishing, I tossed the book on the floor and went “really?”.
I’ll honestly say that I picked up the book after watching a review on youtube about it where the reviewer went on and on about this aspect of the book and I wanted to see if the ‘constant rape’ part was just an exaggeration. But it wasn’t. And if I hadn’t been reading/been a fan of Johanna Lindsey’s work beforehand (points to the illustrious Mallory series) I probably wouldn’t pick up anything else by her just off of that one book alone.
So I say stick with what your heart tells you to write. Don’t go out of your way to prove a point or stir the pot because you’ll end up scalded in the end.
I think recently there hasn’t been any historical romance book that was c0ntroversia. I do agree with the person who mentioned Whitney My Love by Judith McNaugh. I still haven’t read that book so I guess just because a book might controversial doesn’t mean I will read it.
@marjana kaly
I read it just within the past year for the first time because my CP highly recommended it and it’s a very long book–coming in at over 700 pages. I skimmed quite a bit. This is a book that came out in the time when I think it was acceptable for the hero and heroine to spend a lot of time a part and be involved with different people.
The one book that comes to mind for me was Broken Wing by Judith James. It was not so much of a controversy I guess as a real loud BUZZ about the book. Some people loved it as I did & some hated it for the storyline, the heroes past as a male prostitute & him cutting himself to try to mitigate his memories of his brutal past.
I remember reading “Whitney” years ago & not thinking anything of it but I recently re-read it after reading comments about the rape. I can see where in the present climate, some would see it as controversial.
With authors being able to publish now as ebooks, things must be getting easier to get a book out there. I would never buy a book just because of a controversy.
There was one I remember there was a lot of buzz about. Don’t remember the title or author…would have to go look on my shelves…and that would take me a bit of time. I think it was by Caroline Jewel???? Anyways, the thing was the hero and heroine were having sex all over the place…and I had to get it and read it. I didn’t think it was so bad…I mean they were married….lol!!!
Valerie
in Germany
valb0302@yahoo.com
I don’t remember reading any controversial books. I usually get a book because I like the sound of the blurb or excerpt.
I am not sure whether I have bought a book that was a cause of controversy I read and loved Anna Campbell’s CTC and heard about the controversy after I read it but would read it again and again. I have also read lots of the books from the 70’s and 80’s that had forced love scenes and totally understand why a lot of them were called bodice rippers but I still enjoyed them and have a lot of them on my keepers shelf and wouldn’t part with them.
I am not a writer but I think that if the writer writes a book from their heart and there is a nice buzz about them then I will read them
Have Fun
Helen
I like to read and if the story has controversy in it and it is well-written , hey, I will like it. I don’t base my book selections on someone else’s recommendations. I an an avid reader and read all kinds of stoies.
I can’t think of any controversial books that I have read.
I tend to avoid controversial media, be it books, movies, or music. The problem with creating a controversy is that the person may only be known for the controversy and never anything else – good for a one-hit wonder but not for a career.
I can’t remember ever reading a book based on a “controversy” but depending on what the bruhaha is about…it might make me want to read it.
I don’t remember one with controversy. I do remember an author saying once that she got nasty letters from people because her novels were too racy. that would not affect my decision to buy the novel.
I don’t know if you-all would consider this controversial, but one of my “make me mad” issues is a secondary character in an Historical who is an openly practicing homosexual. Honestly, there is a whole genre of GLBT romances out there. I don’t want someone else’s political agenda imposed on my little heterosexual romantic fantasies. No, thank you.
I don’t remember any with controversy. I might or might not read it depending on what it was about.
@Susan in AZ
I don’t believe that putting an openly gay character in a secondary story line is the author’s political agenda. I think as readers we’ve all read books that didn’t expressly state everything that was going to occur, especially things we might find disturbing, but then that’s when we have the right and power not to read that author again if we were so affronted by their characters, storylines etc.
Bev
I’m ot sure when the last time I read a controversial book was. Then again I don’t usually pay attention to all of that & could read one a week w/o knowing it. I will read a book if it sounds like a good story & Other people’s ideas of controversy don’t matter.
controversy is a part of life with out it life would be boring. I dont remember one particular book, however, I tend to lean towards the controversy vs the typical girl meets boy and falls in love with in a second of meeting.
It wasn’t a romance but I read AMERICAN PSYCHO by Bret Easton Ellis. No publisher wanted to deal with it after he wrote it. There was so much controversy and I think that’s one reason I really wanted to read it. The book is full of violence and extremely graphic. However, I’ve read true crime that’s worse because it’s true!
I see nothing wrong with pushing the envelope, stepping outside the box. I know Ellis’s book must have made millions after word of it finally being published hit the streets. Don’t tell me I can’t read a book because I’ll read it! lol!
Oh, Nicola, that’s a great example of controversy purely for marketing.
It’s interesting–I see a difference between that sort of ‘controversy’ or attention-getting behavior, versus the controversy that comes from within the covers of the book, i.e. the story, the writing. Amanda Foreman didn’t change/put anything in her book to create controversy, but she got people’s attention with the ‘controversial’ marketing.
Nowadays, I think people in the entertainment realm are hard-pressed to stand out. We move through a world that is plastered with billboards, real and metaphorical, virtual and physical–we’re constantly being hawked to. I suppose if someone finds a way to stand out that doesn’t compromise their ‘art’ or ‘entertainment’, then maybe it’s understandable. That doesn’t mean I’ll pick up the book b/c of the marketing, but it may put them on my radar. (I am utterly excluding Paris Hilton and that ilk here, because, well, b/c I want to. You need to have something of substance to offer, in order to compromise it.)
I have come across a few books which was controversial tended to be the older bodice rippers from 70s and 80s. One book in particular was Stormfire by Christine Monson – It was one of those books that felt like a train wreck but I could not stop reading. The incest/rapes/abusive hero was a real eye opener for me – and I read the book while I was 14 years old. I really hated the book because the heroine was just a fodder for abuse, even though she acted too stupid to live at times too.
This book is infamous due to its story and its like marmite, I know people who LOVED it and others who hated it. Funny thing is I really enjoyed Monson’s other book Monsoon which didn’t have any of the abusive elements in that book.
I don’t really know any romance books that caused that kind of hubbub, And the book of Anna Campbell’s mentioned is the only one of her’s I haven’t read.
Did Elizabeth Hoyt’s latest cause any stir? ‘Wicked Intentions’? I liked it, but it was dark, brooding, and debauched to a point, including the hero’s predilections.
@Karyn
I didn’t hear anything about Elizabeth Hoyt’s latest…but then I tend not to hear much at all when it comes to controversial books.
I can’t remember a romance that was terribly controversial and I definitely haven’t bought one because of any controversy. I buy stories that I think I will really enjoy reading so it doesn’t play a part in my choices.
I can’t think of any books that I have read that had controversary surrounding them.