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To the Wonderful Readers of AAR, a Request

This post is now closed. Keira will be contacting those of you who have said they’d like to participate. Thanks!

 

Through more than twenty years of All About Romance’s reviews, AAR’s readers have visited, read our posts, and commented on the reviews, blogs, and message boards. And over the years, as AAR staff, we have gotten to know some of you. However, we would love to get to know all of you better.

There’s been some discussion lately, that as younger readers join the Romance genre or scholars arrive who are new to the field, they are unaware of the genre’s history and the early books. Some Romance genre experts say that modern romance began with Kathleen Woodiwiss’ work and those of her contemporaries. I would take issue with them and say that Mary Burchell [1904-1986] was writing years before that and those were very much romances. As were Georgette Heyer’s books [1902-1974]. Long-time readers will always have such historical points to argue about that they find fascinating and will be of interest for newer readers to discover.

I had a conversation with Romance Scholar Laura Vivanco which discussed the early beginnings of romance (Jean Plaidy [1906-1993] and others), and she sent me this goldmine of discussions about early books from AAR’s own past posts At The Back Fence.  (Note, there are a couple of broken links.) As you can see, every reader analyzes our genre differently. There is rarely agreement over which books they think are important, what aspects of romance are interesting, which tropes are relevant and how they have evolved, and so on.

Academics and reviewers analyze the books, and bloggers review the books and interview the authors. But where are the readers’ voices? Who interviews the readers? We need to preserve the long history of our beloved genre, and that means, we need to talk to readers, because they’re the ones who’ve taken the genre to their heart and stayed with it through thick and thin, in times of joy and calamity, weathering praise and criticism. Who best would know more about the genre than them?

So AAR’s Readers, I would like to conduct a short email interview with you so we can know more about you, your thoughts on your reading, your feelings about the genre, how you discovered Romance, what would you consider iconic romances, and other questions. This is not only so we can all get to know each other better, but also so we can share our personal history with the genre and have a collective AAR history of the genre.

If you are interested, please comment below, and I will get in touch with you over email. If you would prefer a different email address, please mention it below. Alternately, you can contact me directly on email at keira (at) keirasoleore (dot) com. If you would like to remain anonymous, please indicate that in your email as well. I will put together all your responses into a blog or two.

Deadline for responses:  September 1st, 2019.

I so look forward to hearing from you all.

Keira

guest

125 Comments
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RobinC
RobinC
Guest
09/06/2019 4:14 pm

I’m late to the party, but I would be happy to take part.

PatW
PatW
Guest
09/01/2019 8:26 pm

I would be happy to participate. Started with Jane Austen, then like Renee, Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. Not sure how I discovered Georgette Heyer who was next. Nowadays I read many genres

Renee
Renee
Guest
09/01/2019 4:53 pm

I would be happy to participate. My interest in romance fiction began with Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart and Georgette Heyer and has evolved into JD Robb and more contemporary romance fiction offerings.

Deborah
Deborah
Guest
09/01/2019 10:52 am

I would be honored to participate.

Irene Groth
Irene Groth
Guest
08/31/2019 10:07 pm

I would like to participate

Heather
Heather
Guest
08/31/2019 7:50 pm

I’d love to participate!

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Heather
08/31/2019 8:15 pm

Great, Heather. I’ll be in touch.

Abby
Abby
Guest
08/31/2019 5:45 pm

I can participate.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Abby
08/31/2019 8:15 pm

Thanks, Abby. I’ll be in touch.

Rachel
Rachel
Guest
08/31/2019 5:19 pm

Sounds interesting. I’ve been reading romance only about 3 years, but I’d love to participate.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Rachel
08/31/2019 8:14 pm

It’d be great to hear from all readers. I’ll be in touch.

Lady Wesley
Lady Wesley
Guest
08/31/2019 4:32 pm

I would be pleased to help.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Lady Wesley
08/31/2019 5:21 pm

Great, Lady’s Wesley. I’ll be in touch.

Dorothy
Dorothy
Guest
08/31/2019 3:03 pm

I’d be happy to chime in…… Kathleen Woodiwis was my first romance author back in the day, and I’ve been a steady consumer ever since.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Dorothy
08/31/2019 6:10 pm

Good to know, Dorothy. I’ll be in touch.

Kaia
Kaia
Guest
08/31/2019 2:15 am

I’d love to participate!

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Kaia
08/31/2019 11:55 am

Thanks, Kaia. I’ll be in touch.

Amy
Amy
Guest
08/31/2019 12:20 am

I started reading romance at about age 12 with the publication of a Nora Roberts book. It had a horse on the cover and cost $0.99! :) I liked the happy endings and relationships, so searched out teen authors (SE Hinton, Judy Blume, etc) and also loved to find complex books (Heyer) and big, impressive books (MM Kaye anyone?) to seal my image as a geeky, awkward book worm. I found this site back in the mid-90s and for a long time visited it on a frequent basis. Nowadays I get here about once per month.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Amy
08/31/2019 11:57 am

Amy, glad to see you still visit. I’ll be in touch!

Anita
Anita
Guest
08/30/2019 3:47 pm

Hello..and wishing you a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.
I too would like to share in your study. My romance reading goes back to Georgette Heyer, Victoria Holt, LaVyrie Spencer, Jude Deveraux. In the 1980’s I was part of a group of friends who shared books we purchased.
Good Luck with your project!

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Anita
08/30/2019 7:45 pm

Such good memories, Anita. Wish you a very happy labor Day weekend as well. I’ll be in touch.

Tracy Anne Phelps
Tracy Anne Phelps
Guest
08/30/2019 11:43 am

Would love to take part!

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Tracy Anne Phelps
08/30/2019 12:41 pm

Thank you! I’ll be in touch!

Kass
Kass
Guest
08/30/2019 11:41 am

I can participate as well.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Kass
08/30/2019 12:40 pm

Great, Kass. I will be in touch.

Mara
Mara
Guest
08/27/2019 1:36 pm

I’m interested!

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Mara
08/27/2019 4:25 pm

Thanks, Mara. I will be in touch.

Suzanne Brownrigg
Suzanne Brownrigg
Guest
08/25/2019 4:37 pm

Hi Keira–hope I’m not too late.

I have been reading romance since about 2015 and especially love historical and Regency romance. I would love to converse with you. I love AAR and have purchased several books based upon AAR reviews. Favorite authors are Laura Kinsale, Sherry Thomas, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, and a few more.

I hope to hear from you.

Thank you,
Suzanne

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Suzanne Brownrigg
08/25/2019 10:47 pm

Great to hear this, Suzanne. You’re not late at all. I’ll be in touch.

Maura
Maura
Guest
08/24/2019 6:07 pm

I’d also like to participate – have been reading since the 90s. :)

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Maura
08/25/2019 11:41 am

Great, Maura. I’ll be in touch.

elaine s
elaine s
Guest
08/23/2019 1:17 pm

I’ve just returned from 3 weeks holiday and read this post. I’ve been following and posting on AAR since 1999 so I’d love to participate! Hope I’m not too late.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  elaine s
08/23/2019 1:37 pm

Elaine, good to hear from you. I’ll be in touch.

Sara
Sara
Guest
08/20/2019 1:20 pm

Happy to take part if you want to contact me.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Sara
08/20/2019 5:00 pm

Great, Sara. I’ll be in touch.

KristieJ
KristieJ
Guest
08/20/2019 12:23 pm

I would love to take part. The impact AAR has had on my life is huge.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  KristieJ
08/20/2019 4:59 pm

That’s fabulous, Kristie. I’ll be in touch.

Linda L Light
Linda L Light
Guest
08/20/2019 11:55 am

I am a 70-year-old former secretary who’s been reading romance since I retired 13 years ago. If a viewpoint from that perspective is helpful, I would be delighted to participate.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Linda L Light
08/20/2019 4:57 pm

I would love to talk to you, Linda. I’ll be in touch.

Rae Anne Springer
Rae Anne Springer
Guest
08/20/2019 11:52 am

In exchange for the great reviews, I’d be happy to participate! :)

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Rae Anne Springer
08/20/2019 4:56 pm

Heh! I’ll be in touch, Rae Anne.

BarbM
BarbM
Guest
08/20/2019 10:47 am

I would love to participate! My romantic roots go all the way back to Mary Stewart & Phyllis Whitney as well as Georgette Heyer. I’d be interested in reading your findings as well.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  BarbM
08/20/2019 4:56 pm

Barb, it’s great seeing so many folks interested in participating. I’ll be in touch.

Bona
Bona
Guest
08/20/2019 1:45 am

If it helps you in any way, count on me. I will gladly answer your questions.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Bona
08/20/2019 4:54 pm

Nona, glad you can join. I’ll be in touch.

PegS
PegS
Guest
08/20/2019 12:31 am

If you’re still looking, would love to participate. I, also, have been around since Laurie Loves Books.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  PegS
08/20/2019 4:53 pm

I am absolutely looking for more people to participate. I’ll be in touch, Peg.

nblibgirl
nblibgirl
Guest
08/19/2019 4:18 pm

Fascinating project. Happy to participate as well.

LeeF
LeeF
Guest
08/19/2019 2:43 pm

I would like to participate and look forward to your report.

Maria
Maria
Guest
08/19/2019 1:16 pm

Glad to participate.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Maria
08/19/2019 4:06 pm

Great, Maria. I’ll be in touch soon.

Sarah Stewart
Sarah Stewart
Guest
08/19/2019 11:12 am

I’d love to be a part of this! I started reading adult romance in the 80s when my best friend growing up and I discovered by mom’s Harlequin Present’s and the first one read (secretly of course) was Wade Dynsasty by Carole Mortimer! I have a copy to this day just to remind myself why I fell in love with Romance. I read all the YA romance’s of the time as well.

My email is sarah31733″gmail.com

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Sarah Stewart
08/19/2019 12:56 pm

I am looking forward to reading your story, Sarah. I’ll be in touch soon!

Kathleen Schilling
Kathleen Schilling
Guest
08/19/2019 10:00 am

If you are still looking, I would be happy to participate.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Kathleen Schilling
08/19/2019 12:55 pm

I absolutely am! Thanks, Kathleen. I’ll be in touch soon!

Lieselotte
Lieselotte
Guest
08/19/2019 9:44 am

nice idea, oh, nice memories…

Started with romance on Harlequins in about 1977 (at 12 :-), Georgette Heyer, then “Shanna” serialized in magazine “Stern” in German … wonder when that was??… much later, remember loving the “Back Fence” …

Count me in, if you want!

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Lieselotte
08/19/2019 12:55 pm

This is fabulous, Lieselotte. I’ll be in touch soon!

Norma
Norma
Guest
08/19/2019 8:49 am

I love this idea. I so look forward to hearing some of our stories too.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Norma
08/19/2019 12:53 pm

Thanks, Norma. I’ll be in touch soon!

jason
jason
Guest
08/19/2019 7:40 am

nice post

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  jason
08/19/2019 12:53 pm

Jason, are you interested in participating?

Kris
Kris
Guest
08/19/2019 7:31 am

I’ve been reading romance since my first Harlequin presents in 1975. Would love to be part of this.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Kris
08/19/2019 12:52 pm

What a long history with the genre! Thanks, Kris. I’ll be in touch soon!

Judith Israel
Judith Israel
Guest
08/19/2019 7:25 am

Happy to share my thoughts – past and present – on romance. novels.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Judith Israel
08/19/2019 12:51 pm

Fabulous, Judith. I’ll be in touch soon!

JulieB
JulieB
Guest
08/19/2019 6:53 am

I started with the bodice rippers back in the 80’s, and would be glad to participate if you are still searching for people.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  JulieB
08/19/2019 12:50 pm

Absolutely, JulieB. I’ll be in touch soon!

BettyB
BettyB
Guest
08/19/2019 6:51 am

I would love to participate.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  BettyB
08/19/2019 12:50 pm

Great, Betty. I’ll be in touch soon!

Jennifer
Jennifer
Guest
08/19/2019 12:12 am

Happy to participate

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Jennifer
08/19/2019 12:18 am

Thanks, Jennifer. I’ll be in touch soon!

Lauren
Lauren
Guest
08/18/2019 10:40 pm

Definitely interested in giving feedback
Laurstar10@gmail.com is the best for me

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Lauren
08/19/2019 12:47 pm

Lauren, thank you. I’ll be in touch soon!

Betsy
Betsy
Guest
08/18/2019 9:17 pm

I’d love to participate!

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Betsy
08/19/2019 12:58 pm

Betsy, wonderful. I’ll be in touch soon!

Betsy
Betsy
Guest
08/18/2019 9:16 pm

I’d love to be a part of this as well!

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Betsy
08/18/2019 9:40 pm

Great! I’ll be in touch soon. Betsy!

WollstonecraftHomeGirl
WollstonecraftHomeGirl
Guest
08/18/2019 9:07 pm

Happy to participate! Sounds very interesting.

Manjari
Manjari
Guest
08/18/2019 8:57 pm

Hi Keira, I am probably also one of your older readers. I have been reading romance for about 35 years and have regularly visited this website (and the previous version Laurie Likes Books) since the late 1990s, when I had to connect to the Internet via modem! Your survey sounds fun and I would like to participate. Thanks!

Lil
Lil
Guest
08/18/2019 7:03 pm

This sounds like fun. I’d love to participate.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Lil
08/18/2019 9:39 pm

Thank you, Lil. I’ll be in touch!

Sandra
Sandra
Guest
08/18/2019 5:55 pm

Count me in!

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Sandra
08/18/2019 6:03 pm

Excellent, Sandra. I’ll be in touch!

Michelle
Michelle
Guest
08/18/2019 2:33 pm

I’d be happy to participate.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Michelle
08/18/2019 5:33 pm

Great, Michelle. I’ll be in touch!

Tinabelle
Tinabelle
Guest
08/18/2019 12:49 pm

I have been reading romance for decades and always feel I have been out of the mainstream of trends. I have been connecting to AAR since it was Laurie Likes Books. I would love to participate in your interviews.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Tinabelle
08/18/2019 3:32 pm

Thank you for your dedication to AAR. I’ll be in touch!

Sue
Sue
Guest
08/18/2019 12:00 pm

I’d also be happy to participate. My email address is suludenver@gmail.com

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Sue
08/18/2019 3:33 pm

Wonderful, Sue. I’ll be in touch!

Connie
Connie
Guest
08/18/2019 11:04 am

As probably one of your older readers, I started reading romance as a genre in the early 2000’s. I would be delighted to take part in your survey.

Keira Soleore
Keira Soleore
Guest
Reply to  Connie
08/18/2019 3:33 pm

I’d love to hear your stories. I’ll be in touch!