the ask@AAR: Do we need to change our name?
This week an author we’ve reviewed frequently declined to discuss her latest work of women’s fiction with us. Her reason?
….AAR is not the place to discuss this book, simply because of it being called All About Romance. This book, we feel, is really mainstream….
I don’t think she’s alone in thinking the name is too freighted for where the industry would like to go. Newer review sites with names less romance centric abound on social media and I’m seeing more and more of those sites listed in books’ blurbs and publicity despite having a lower profile than AAR. (I’m not complaining–I’m happy for anyone who’s successful!)
Don’t misunderstand me–succeeding in media, a rubric that can be measured in many ways (money, influence, popularity, trust, etc….) is a tremendous challenge and names alone do not make or break a brand or a site. But, on the internet, perception is everything and I think it’s possible, perhaps even likely, that having the word romance attached to your moniker is increasingly seen as limiting.
What do you think? Take this survey and give us your opinion. Is the name All About Romance too… something? Is it time, after 25 years, to update it?
I don’t understand why a name change is necessary. Or why it’s on the table. Remember what happened to the veteran romance outlet that changed its name to broaden its reputation? It can’t be a coincidence that Romantic Times went under a few years after it changed to RT Book Reviews. Personally, speaking, the ambivalent relevance that AAR is suffering isn’t a matter of the name being too niche or attempting to blame Tessa Dare’s criticism as the culprit (and neither is blaming the old romance blogosphere, because even Dear Author and Smart Bitches aren’t the tastemaking juggernauts they were a decade ago). AAR is pretty much a grandma at this point. We all love our grandmothers and respect their experience and knowledge, but they are from a completely different generation. It’s more than claims that AAR is behind the times w/r/t diversity–the site itself is rooted in Gen X and Boomer sensibilities about the genre. Again, this is not a knock at the site because it’s part of the genre’s history. But the folks who run the site will have to think less about reacting to other people’s critiques and more about what they feel AAR’s place is in Romancelandia. A decade ago, when there was that weird pseudo-feud between AAR and the new blogs, I said on the old message boards that AAR was too preoccupied with its ego over being the place that revolutionized romance reviews and pushed the industry into new territory in the late 90s/early 00s. If that’s still the case in the 2020s, then a continued downward trend is inevitable.
I’m curious, apart from Goodreads, (which is just an arm of Amazon at this point IMO) what sites are the “tastemaking juggernauts” these days?
I don’t know XNightshade but if I had to guess, I’d bet they are referring to group IM conversations taking place on phone-based apps, and social media messaging threads like Discord and Reddit (which have conversations about every topic under the sun). That’s where the NAs I know seem to hang out.
Booktubers as well. A lot of them strike me as being younger (college age through early 30s, though you’ll find a few older as well). Some have gotten quite sophisticated with their visual content. Personally, I’d rather read reviews than listen to them. Booktubers often ramble, and I get too impatient waiting for them to get to the point or comment on the one book I’m interested in hearing about. I often fast forward through their content. I only follow a few that review primarily SFF, but there are a lot of them out there reviewing a mix of YA and romance. I come here for the romance reviews.
I know a lot of people use Reddit, but I’ve so far never been tempted to hang out there.
One thing I noticed that is a huge generational difference (if Grandma can make an observation) is how Gen Z and people who grew up with all the social media approach a lot of things like it’s a story about them as much (if not more sometimes ) as whatever they are discussing or interested in.
It struck me this morning as I checked a collector’s group on Facebook. For years collectors have been online showing their new acquisitions, posting pictures etc. Younger collectors have added their TikTok videos to the groups and the videos are 90% about them. I just watched one and it was a whole story about how excited they were to finally get this item! Film of the package unopened as it arrived, reaction shots and a whole narrative by the poster. I think we saw the item for about 10 seconds. It was really her “experience” and the item was almost like an afterthought. Contrast that to older collectors where it’s about taking a 100 pictures of the actual object to get it in the best light, angle etc.
I know it’s a generalization but I notice it a lot and I think it is true that generations approach things differently. On YouTube I’ve seen videos of a similar vein related to books.
I actually love Booktubers! My favourite ones are wickedly funny and insightful, and they have introduced me so many interesting books of different genres.
I’ve watched some Booktubers and I find it’s more about the personality of the person. At least for me. It’s more entertainment. When I want to thoroughly delve into a book I like to read about it or discuss it.
Is there someone you’d recommend for romances specifically?
There was a bookseller at a Borders bookstore in Redmond, WA right before Borders closed all their stores, and I’ve often wondered if she hasn’t ended up doing something like Booktubing. She was such a gem. I was new to romances at that time, they had a fabulous selection of titles, and she’d read EVERYTHING. I could see someone like her being good at “Booktubing” or podcasting – if she did it based on customer inquiries e.g. here’s what’s good if you want . . . .
True Chrisreader – I watch booktubers partly for the entertainment and to discover good books. Nblibgirl, I have to admit that the booktubers I watch are not particularly romance centric:/ I did watch one booktuber who had a really good take on plus-size romances, but I have forgotten her name now. That bookseller in Redmond sounds lovely!
Liz Donatelli, who used to review for us, has a You Tube book review vlog called Reader Seeks Romance.
I don’t absorb the sort of info you get in a review aurally – I need to read it. That’s weird considering I listen to a LOT of audiobooks, but I don’t want to listen to a review, like you, I prefer to read. And – dare I say it – the couple of booktubers I’ve watched have had voices that have been like listening to nails scraping down a blackboard. They take ages to get to the point and their speech is full of “um” and “like” and “so” … drives me nuts.
I find a lot of YouTube is more about the presenter than the subject some times.
People will post in the comments things like “the actual review starts at 15 minutes in” so others will know to skip to there if they aren’t interested in personal stories, “umm” and whatever.
I find in a written review it’s about getting to review and the book. On YouTube it’s more about establishing yourself and a “brand”. So many channels that became successful have changed their names from a title to just the YouTuber’s name to capitalize on this.
To be fair, I also hate when written reviews go on and on about personal things before they get to the book as well. I enjoy a personal experience that relates well to the book but I don’t want to wade through all kinds of extraneous stuff (that I’m not interested in) to get there.
I find podcasts about books often as self-absorbed.
Because it’s about building your “brand”. I think that’s another way that AAR is different. It’s about focusing on the books. The reviewers names are there but it’s not the focus of the piece. The individuals are part of the whole the way it is at a newspaper or other news site. You can find articles by people you wish to follow but it’s about the ideas rather than the writer/presenter.
Yeah, it becomes pretty obvious, very quickly, people who have broadcasting chops or are talented, experienced narrators and people who . . . . . don’t/aren’t.
OTOH, I’ve often wondered about the pressure on kids at school to produce multimedia/programming extravaganzas. I guess it’s good experience for their future workplaces and/or personal branding efforts. Maybe that is why podcasters and booktubers and so on feel comfortable producing the content they do. They got As in school for the same type/quality of work product?
Yeah, I have the same problem with all the book podcasts as well. They ramble and squee and generally take way to long to get to the point. Honestly, I’d rather be reading.
For grins, I asked the one 20-something romance reader I know where she looks for new books. I was honestly surprised to hear she uses FB. She said she “belongs to favorite author pages” to find her next read. Clearly, a place for communing with like-minded fangirls and getting free copies of books “to review” for Goodreads, but not a place for readers to talk critically about what is being written or to compare to other authors.
If she subscribes to favorite author pages, how does she find new authors to read?
Exactly! I suppose there is a certain amount of word of mouth about other authors occasionally. But it certainly isn’t an environment conducive to open conversations about books in general.
Well no, it’s probably not good etiquette to put a negative review in an author’s FB Group! I belong to a few (although I mostly lurk to avoid the mindnumbing sycophancy) but I do see people asking for recommendations for other books and authors to read, so there’s that. Although unlike a trusted site, unless you know the recommender and their taste, it’s a bit of a shot in the dark that you’re gonig to find something you like.
Yes, I’ve found some good recommendations and some I just scratch my head at.
It’s always interesting when someone asks “I’ve read all of X’s books can you recommend a similar author?” Some of the replies I cannot wrap my head around. To me they are nothing alike, but I find it fascinating that others think they are.
Yes, all the Facebook groups I belong to are more for fun. People aren’t critically discussing the books. There’s some fangirling and lot of post that say “what book was it where x did y?” Or “do we know when xyz’s next book is coming out?”
No real discussions or depth plumbing.
Yep. And those “do we know X,Y,Z” questions are usually ones that were posted and answered two days ago, and two days before that and so on, but people can’t be bothered to scroll back to find them.
So despite the fact that AAR reviews a great deal of queer romance and romance featuring and by POC we’re still behind the times because we’re a grandma.
On behalf of grandmas and oldish people everywhere, I’m kinda offended.
Our concern is not about our ego. It is about staying alive. We are asking ourselves what we need to do to in terms of how the internet works–Google, Amazon, Social Media–to stay online. For us, because we are a website, we have to survive in that context. If our name is limiting, we need to consider changing it. If it is not limiting, but we don’t feel it represents us, we should consider changing it so that it is more relevant to our work.
We may not change our name–the reason for columns like this is to learn so that we can grow.
I had to laugh and shake my head reading that- it was a big “OK Boomer”.
What I said?
No, their whole post. It was saying “OK Boomer” to AAR.
Got it. It’s, to me, another one of those isms that is oddly acceptable.
Would we say this about any number of other groups?
Absolutely not. That whole tenor of it was so hilariously and yet unintentionally ironic.
That’s one of the reasons I was trying to glean what sites had the Generation Z “sensibilities” if even SBTB and Dear Author are behind the times too.
If it’s just Goodreads, well that’s disappointing to say the least.
I’d say Frolic, Bustle, and the Ripped Bodice.
The Ripped Bodice is also a bookstore? That’s interesting.
Grandma here is going to check these newfangled web sites out. And just for the record, I’m Gen X so not a Boomer. Not sure what my generations derogatory title is, lol. Grunger?
None of those make a bit dent in my consciousness and are not places I actively seek out. But then, I’m old, too :P
There are a lot of book groups on Facebook, although I guess you have to find out about them someplace to know they are there. I’m a member of a couple, and most of the people there are much younger than me. (20’s 30’s,but older people too.) There are always lively posts about what other people like and “please suggest” etc. One I check out is an audiobook forum that is mostly about romance books, and mostly contemporary popular romances, like Lauren Blakely, etc. But although I don’t read many of the same books, I enjoy the discussion and have found a few treasures. I’ve also found a few incredible narrators! All this to say, I wonder if younger readers, romance and otherwise are getting a lot of recs on these types of FB groups rather than seeking out full length reviews on websites like AAR or SBTB.
That’s true. But there are also a lot of completely inane, sucking-up posts and repetition because people can’t be bothered to scroll back a few posts! But I fully accept that’s my decrepitude talking…
I have had a number of people tell me Facebook is only for “old people” and that it’s all “parents and grandparents” who use it now.
I belong to a couple of author groups on Facebook.
I’ve heard that but my admittedly anecdotal evidence says otherwise. The audiobook group and the two other groups, one for a specific author and one for paranormal series, that I’m a member of are full of 20 and 30 somethings. Plus probably half my friends on FB are under 40, many still in their 20’s (I’m 65), so I don’t know. I think there’s still a mix.
Judging by the total inanity of so many of the posts and comments I see there, I’d say there’s a large proportion of twenty-somethings on FB. :P
Absolutely!:-D
That’s my experience too Carrie, but co-workers have told me that they’ve been told it’s “not cool” and that the younger generations aren’t using it. Whether they mean just not as actively I don’t know as I see tons of 20 somethings in groups or connected to people I know.
My 21 y/o and her friends use FB, but maybe they caught the tail end of it in their late teens. And IIRC, Elinor joined because she needed to be in some school groups when she was doing her A levels; even now, FB messenger seems to be a preferred way of having group chats for her, her friends and the people on her MA course.
I just googled: AAR-About Reviews and got no ownership.
That’s an option. Thanks!
Just a suggestion for a name: All The Feels
Not exactly on topic re “name change”, but I’ve just had a little trawl via google asking for “reviews of romance novels”. Nothing scientific but just wanted to see what was out there on that very briefest of questions. AAR comes at the top of the list. (Alphabetical? Don’t know). I looked at 5 “top” sites, discounted SBTB (we all know about it) and 2 blogs but didn’t want to go down the blog path as they are highly personal and don’t particularly appeal to me. One site I looked at in the past (The Romance Reader) seems to have disappeared. Mrs Giggles (now Hot Sauce Reviews) is unrecognisable from when I first looked at it regularly years ago. Four of the sites had home pages that were either busy, twee or just boring and uninviting.
The one that did interest me in terms of appearance was Romance Junkies and that was because right at the very top of the home page it was clear that the site wants to incorporate reviews of a variety of genres and spells them out: CR, HR, Suspense, Sci-Fi, Paranormal, etc, etc. There was a place to leave comments on reviews but not much uptake that I could see though I didn’t read more than 3-4 reviews. I guess my point here is that this particular site made it clear it wasn’t just about romance per se but was covering a wider variety even though their name was Romance Junkies. I wondered if a strap line of some sort at the top of the AAR home page would improve uptake by making it clear that it covers more than just romance. I must also comment that Romance Junkies, though well designed, didn’t really appeal to me and for me the name is rather silly. I certainly could not get the sense of “community” we have at AAR and that is a huge part of AAR’s appeal for me.
PS – I suppose google knows absolutely every click I make and that may be why AAR comes at the top. Don’t know. Somewhat sinister if so but such is the online world.
That’s interesting. I just googled “romance reviews” and got: AAR, The Romance Reviews, Kirkus, SBTB and Romance Junkies. After that I get a mix of things like The Guardian (!) and blogs I’ve never heard of…
I also queried through MS and varied the query a few times on both search facilities but AAR always came up first. I do wonder if it’s anything to do with the unknowable algorithms knowing what you get up to on the net.
I Googled using my husband’s phone and AAR was first, then SBTB, Kirkus, The Romance Reviews, She Reads Romance…. He has never been on those sites, preferring sports sites, so his should be pretty unbiased.
I voted for keeping the name as it is, mostly because I like it, and because it’s an established brand in the romance reading community. There’s also a part of me – an impractical part, I’m aware – that resents the idea that a romance centered book site would have to drop the word ‘romance’ from its name to cater to folks who have a problem with it for whatever reason. I’ve liked genre novels since my pre-teens, and no matter the genre, there’s never been a shortage of people looking down their noses at it. So I admittedly have a bit of chip on my shoulder when it comes to stuff like this.
I also clicked on the smiley face below CarolineAAR’s comment with the suggestion of simply going with the acronym AAR. It would retain association with the previous name, but you could broaden the site’s scope with a new tagline.
Then I read the comments further, and if I understood correctly the domain names for the acronym are already taken, so I guess it won’t do after all. I wish I had some cool alternative to suggest, but I don’t. I’m not creative that way. I’ll keep my thinking cap on anyway.
But honestly, since it’s been established that the content of the site is going to stay the same, I can’t see how I could possibly have a problem with any choice of yours. My resources are unfortunately limited, and my visible participation has been down lately (I’ve still been reading the reviews and comments, though) as I’ve struggled with hand functions, but I love this place and want to help it to survive. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you 100%.
That’s lovely, thank you. We want to support you too! We send you love and hugs!
That is so kind and thoughtful of you – thank you so much, it means a lot to me! *sends love and hugs back to all of you*
As a suggestion for a new name, how about ‘Rose By Any Other Name’. What could be better than a quote from Romeo and Juliet which also conveys that the content is the same?
I did a domain search and entered every possible permutation that I could think of with the words romance, books, and reading.
Unfortunately, all the straightforward domains with these words are taken. So I focused on why I like this site.
Here’s a few that weren’t taken.
yourgoodbook.com
thatgoodbook.com
lovereadingclub.com
thatbookyoulove.com
I was trying to think of combinations that might address Dabney’s marketing challenge…appeal to authors and publishers and maybe draw in some new readers looking for a good book.
I’m sure that someone else will be able to come up with a clever domain name that is not already taken. Thought I would share the results of some domain searching in case it sparks some ideas or additional discussion.
I really like thatbookyoulove.com.
That’s my favorite from that bunch, too! :-) The love works as a nod to romance, too.
Changing a domain is tough because so many are taken. The other challenge is that a domain should be easy to remember, easy to spell, and easy to read despite having no spaces in between the words.
I like that name as well (even though it was the F reviews that originally got me hooked on reading AAR!).
My “vote” is/was to change the name to All About Reading but a quick web search suggests that other companies are already using All About Reading (belongs to a company that produces educational curriculum) and All About Reviews. AAR dot come and AAR dot org are also showing up as having been established (or they are going to be held hostage for a price).
The trick here is to come up with a name (and web address) that communicates “book reviews and conversation about books” but does not include the word romance *AND* is already not in use.
AAR dot com and org are owned by American Association of Railroads, FYI . . .
Yes–I’ve checked all these things out. It’s a challenge!
Taking off my AAR hat and speaking purely personally, I think The Passionate Reader is the best of the suggested options. We do what it says -we read – and the word “passionate” conveys our passion for what we do and passion is also an important component of most of the books we review.
But we aren’t A reader. We are a plural team. As a contributor to the site, it would frustrate me because that title lends itself to conflating the most visible editors/publishers with the entire site.
I don’t see it that way, tbh – I’m sure there are lots of singlar names/titles that encompass many. But maybe there’s a way to incorporate the concept of “passion” and being passionate about what we do.
I think of the passionate reader as our readers, not the site itself.
In that case the name “For Passionate Readers” would be clearer.
True. But it’s not very catchy. The Passionate Reader is, IMO, catchier. It’s all about marketing, not about reflecting who we are. Frolic, SBTB, FatedMates, The MarySue, and many others have names that snag attention.
thepassionatereader.com is taken.
Yes, I own it!
I like thepassionatereader.com. You could have something like this:
The Passionate Reader
Reviews, Romance, and Reflections
I also like “Calgon Take Me Away”, but yeah no, that’s a niche group of readers!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I like it! The first idea… I have no idea what the second one is! Here, the Calgon slogan is “Washing Machines Last Longer With Calgon!”. Doesn’t have the same ring, does it?
In the U.S., Calgon was a bath powder (maybe it was the same product as your washing machine additive, yikes). Don’t know if it’s even still around. Here’s the quintessential Calgon commercial
My husband has worked in marketing and branding, so I told him about this discussion. He thought All About Romance is a bit long and generic sounding while The Passionate Reader has more oomph, sounds more modern, and works on multiple levels. CarolineAAR, neither of us felt this referred to a singular person but the type of reader who would enjoy a website like this. He also felt that given past controversy, rebranding is a good way to reinvent yourselves (even if content basically stays the same.) Also, you could have a transition period where the home page says AAR and the new name. That is his two cents, FWIW, and no, he does not read romance!
The Passionate Reader has more oomph, sounds more modern, and works on multiple levels.
I agree with that.
Is your issue your name or your rep? Maybe the author believed that bunkum Tessa Dare said about your site. Because that is a flimsy pretext not to get free publicity.
If the problem is your rep, changing your name isn’t your solution.
Or is the problem your search rankings? Or is it not making enough money?
I’m okay with changing names but it seems like work for you.
Those people are never going to change their minds no matter what we’re called, and no matter that we review more diverse books – queer romances and books by AoC – here than (as far as I can see) any of the other major review sites.
The thought of AAR’s past controversy as a factor in the interview rejection crossed my mind as well. As I’ve said on another thread, this is an unfortunate time of author fear. Some of that fear could just be from someone worried about sullying her reputation by appearing on a romance site. Like many here have commented, there is still a wider cultural stigma against the genre. But, like you said, it could also be because of that kerfuffle on AAR.
I agree with you and Caz that Dare’s accusations of AAR promoting racism were nonsense considering AAR reviews a variety of romance subgenres, settings, pairings, character backgrounds, beliefs, and perceptions. There’s a real cultural problem right now where diversity of external appearance is considered tantamount to diversity of thought. AAR has an excellent balance of both, which makes it extremely refreshing among not just review or romance sites, but websites in general.
Thank you.
I do think Tessa Dare’s denunciation of AAR has had a long tail for us. Many of the publishing staff in NYC where most of the publishers are based follow her on Twitter and are, I suspect, still mired in her critique of us.
And, let’s face it, they all want to sit at the cool kids’ table, The thing is that the people we’re talking about are the ones who can deny us access to books to review. And as Dabney says upthread, without those, and authors to talk to about their work, AAR can’t do all the things you come here to find.
You’re welcome. And that line should read “diversity of external appearance is considered superior to diversity of thought.” I meant paramount not tantamount. Ugh, brain fart…
Anyway, getting back to the author who told you, “This book, we feel, is really mainstream….,” notice the word “we” rather than “I.” Traditionally published authors seem to be kept on a short leash nowadays while at the same time are expected to do a lot of their own marketing and then get blamed for every resulting controversy. I can’t say I blame the author if her handlers are putting the squeeze on her to not do anything that would hurt her precious reputation. Certainly if there are lingering effects of the AAR denunciation, your author may have been advised to stay clear or else risk the consequences. This is just speculation, of course, but it would fit the larger cultural pattern.
*Sigh* I miss the days when writers outside of the most conservative presses were mavericks likely to be seen carousing in bars and indulging in dirty, politically incorrect jokes. The literary world today has become so neutered in comparison. It reminds me of the comedian Doug Stanhope who said something like (paraphrase), “Old folks always used to complain about how wild and crazy the young people are today. But we’re going to be the first generation of old people complaining how straight-laced and pathetic the young people have become.”
I don’t blame her at all. She’s a lovely person.
I do think the industry runs remarkably scared for an industry that makes so much money. But I get it. Social media is BRUTAL.
Oh, no. I don’t blame her either. Sorry if it came across that way. Frankly, I think authors in general have taken way too much blame on social media in the last few years, and the real cowardice comes from the industry that fails to support the very authors they greenlighted. But I suppose I’m preaching to the choir again…;-)
Forgiving is good but in your shoes I would be angry. She did a beaucoup amount of damage for spite.
I hear you. It has hurt my feelings which, at almost 60, seems very teenbopperesque. However I just stay focused on all the support there is in this community and continue to work to make AAR as diverse and as compassionate as I can.
Thanks!
I’ll never read another book by TD as a matter of principle and as far as Twitter is concerned, it is a spiteful, nasty, dangerous and dreadful nest of evil. My DH and I call it Twat-ter.
Only twits tweet
I am so with you in terms of not reading any more books by TD which is a bummer because I have enjoyed the few that I’ve read. But that whole thing was ridiculous and uncalled for and untrue. This site has broadened my reading horizons and, through its recommendations, has led me to read books that may not have been on my radar otherwise, specifically those featuring protagonists who are not all white, straight, and neurotypical. I can only speak for myself, but this site has absolutely broadened my reading horizons.
As for Twitter, I have never been on the site and quite frankly it sounds horrifying.
I still marvel that we as a culture allow it to dominate our conversation.
Same too. Dare’s self-righteous intolerance is a giant turnoff.
I’m not interested in enemies. I remain convinced that a world in which we listen to each other, allow each other to fail and learn from our failures, and strive for tolerance is the goal. Ms. Dare is, in her own way, trying to make the world a better place. I just wish she’d let us be in it!
It’s frustrating to see so much support here for AAR, the site, but not be able to translate that into the kind of support that will keep the site online.
It’s lovely that so many of you love what we do at AAR. Thank you for all the kind words!
I like that there’s a “donate” button for Paypal under About AAR tab, although it took me a little while to find it. I figure the information and community I get here is worth me making it part of my monthly book budget.
Oh come on. There are hundreds of ways to translate that support into something meaningful. You could go to a cheaper server, you could start a Gofundme, you could advertise the paypal button, you could start a Patreon. If authors blackball you, you can borrow their book from library services or encourage your reviewers to do the same.
Good to know. Thanks for your support.
I like the name, and I don’t see the reason to change it, as it is a webpage about romance. You have a good brand name, even outside the American blogosphere. In Spain, many romance readers knows what AAR is. I’m not very sure if you want to review other things apart from romance. If it is so, I’m not very sure it is a good idea. I look for romance reviews specifically in this kind of webpages. Are you sure that, if you change your name, is going to appear in the blurbs?
We would absolutely NOT be changing what we review or how we review it. The ONLY thing we are talking about here is a name change.
Could we just leave it as AAR? We would always know that it used to stand for All About Romance, but new visitors might guess at something different, like All About Reading, or not guess at all and won’t care. They will either like what they find here and keep coming back, or they will leave and find something else.
This discussion takes me back to when Kentucky Fried Chicken was rebranded to KFC, to remove the newly non-fashionable word Fried!
Just to be clear:
WE HAVE NO PLANS TO CHANGE WHAT WE DO.
This is just a discussion about our moniker, not our behaviors!
Got it. What you need are suggestions for a site name so that when an author or publisher wants to use a review “blurb” from the site, it isn’t obvious from their marketing materials – or even better a search result like the web link below – that this is a romance book review site.
https://allaboutromance.com/book-review/the-gangster-by-c-s-poe
Just upvoted/liked Caroline’s comments below; particularly the point she makes about searching (AAR + book title = AAR review). That is really important. I don’t really care what the site is called. (“Laurie Likes Books” certainly didn’t scream “romance”.)
But I’m here to find books that will appeal to me as a romance reader. I’m going to be very sad if the only way to keep the site functioning is to give it over to big-name authors and publishers who’ve 1) forgotten who gave them the opportunity to make their living writing/publishing, so that they can 2) go on to write/publish whatever they are currently interested in writing – which may or may not be of interest to me. And I’m saying that as someone who regularly recommends very romantic stories that others do not consider to be “romances” e.g. I care about quality of storytelling/writing more than staying in the genre’s proscribed “lanes”. There are lots of places to find out about good things to read but very, very few places to find out about good romances – despite the very grudging, occasional list of “3 romances to read now” at USA Today or O or (insert mainstream book review source).
So much agree with you!!
Just curious— what are the names of the sites getting the book blurbs? I just searched for “romance book reviews” and in addition to AAR and SBTB, I found She Reads Romance Books, Smexy Books, The Romance Reviews, and Romance Junkies. The only only I liked was Romance Junkies.
About 18 months ago I was searching for “romance book reviews” when I discovered AAR. I checked out the others but for me this is the best. The reviews are thoughtful, and the discussion boards are well-moderated, keeping the conversation enjoyable and interesting for all. Some sites have more profanity, more politics, “reviews” which are just book promos, etc. So how can you use your name to differentiate your product and draw people to your site? I am not a marketing person, so I don’t have any good ideas, but I feel this site is classier than many others rather than being “trashy” or “smexy.”
By the way, I’m a women’s fiction fan and I visit this site regularly. The place I would learn about this book is here, so this author missed an opportunity to sell it to me.
I wonder if you’ve received more than one communication like the one you quote above. I ask because I can’t imagine changing a long held name of a web site, rebranding based solely on this one comment. That being said, I think that person is ill-informed. I can’t imagine anything more mainstream than romance. It’s the biggest selling genre in publishing and it’s equally popular in other formats — even more so now that there’s streaming platforms, like Netflix. Furthermore, think of people like Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, Shonda Rhymes, and others in entertainment and media promoting romance. They don’t do that because it’s not mainstream. Romance is a part of every other genre — action adventure, suspense, science fiction…. Well you all know this. Plus, if I’m selling a product, which this author is even if one doesn’t think of it as a product, why would you purposely limit your audience? Why wouldn’t you welcome interviews and promotion wherever you can get them.
This all being said, I *can* imagine wanting to change or tweak the name in order to keep up with the site’s evolution as well as with the new ways in which search engines draw attention to sites. I work for an organization that has tweaked it’s name and acronyms over the last 25 years, so this is not a new or bad thing to do if the “old” name is not drawing eyes to the site.
Pardon my replying to myself, but it’ll be interesting to see if the same author accepts an interview with a site like Smart Bitches, a romance blog, or any other romance-centric platform.
Let’s not forget that AAR is a well-known quantity within the romance community. I think you have to consider that just as much as options for how to attract new visitors.
Women’s fiction writers can prevaricate all they want to, but romance is still a $1B industry with an extremely loyal fanbase that more than likely props up their genre. Moving away from the ‘romance’ label may attract new visitors, but how likely are they to stay when they see what’s here – namely, romance reviews and discussion?
In my experience, people either accept that they are genre readers, or they don’t. I think trying to chase those who don’t is an exercise in defeat.
Great question, Dabney! Since you asked…
The name AAR is bland and too generic, IMO.
What sets AAR apart is 1) its smart, insightful reviews and author interviews, 2) carefully curated selection of books and 3) smart discussions that frequently digress well beyond just romance. The name of the site should capture the unique qualities that draws visitors and keeps its fans.
I go to AAR knowing that I will find a good read. Too bad Goodreads is already taken! I go to AAR knowing that I will discover a new author, that I will get smart reviews and thought provoking discussions. (Unlike the short, shallow “reviews” at most other sites.)
Perhaps we should all try to brainstorm by listing what the site means to us. Just writing down all the words that we associate with this site and see if that sparks a re-invention or tweaking.
I will add that right now, the “All About Romance” tag line is so small on the site pages that it is hard to read/notice. And the acronym AAR does not communicate what the site is. AAR makes it sound like the name of a stodgy organization. And the URL allaboutromance.com is rather long and a bit bland (sorry). Whereas the content of the site is anything but bland and boring!
I love this idea!!
Do want ideas/words listed here on the site or sent privately in email?
I’ll start:
Community, discussion, intelligence, romance, reading, passion, humor, snark, new ideas, insight, challenges, different perspectives, insight.
I’ve been coming to this site since 1996ish when it was called Laurie Likes Books. Change is inevitable. That being said, why let one author’s misguided opinion cause such a change? Yes, you have (but not often) reviewed books that are outside of the Romance genre. But the main focus of this site is Romance. Thanks to shows like Bridgerton and Outlander, and books like 50 Shades of Gray, many people are now discovering and appreciating the Romance genre. Please think long and hard before making a change that could possibly be confusing, and probably not necessary.
I also don’t know what the cost of a name change would be. I’m sure there are costs, from just the reprogramming involved in renaming and rebranding the site, to the possible users who think that whatever new name you choose doesn’t reflect what they are looking for.
Cost is, actually, not a huge factor in this decision. It could be done without any significant programming change.
But it would require a new domain name (URL), yes?
I of course voted no, but I think you should make the best decision you can based on what is the most beneficial for the site. I will support it wholeheartedly no matter what it is called.
I have no idea who the author above is but do they really think romance readers aren’t a big part of their demographic?
I think names are a funny business. I always liked the simplicity, elegance and totality of just “all about romance” but I can see that it may be too “generic” in search engines. I personally always hated The name of SBTB because I hate typing in “bitches” and calling the books “trashy” even though I 100% know it’s tongue in cheek and the site is all about promoting romances.
The whole thing rankles me about the author and the name because it feels like the same old prejudices against romance novels and that same old game of “I’m not like that other girl, I’m a COOL girl. Romance is that “icky” girl on the playground with “cooties” who the boys don’t like because it’s too “girly” but everyone likes me and I can’t hang with you!”
Ultimately though, you have my backing whatever the name ends up being.
I like CarolineAAR’s idea best of anything I’ve seen so far. It keeps the AAR, and then includes “All About Romance” in the graphics along with “All About Reviews” and “All
About Reading.”
Tamping down the site’s connection to romance novels could also backfire. I don’t much go to other sites that I know aren’t specifically reviewing romance books. I’m not interested in 95% of women’s fiction, and generally skim those reviews here and on other sites. I enjoy suspense, but still want some sort of relationship thread in it, even it it’s not a full-blown romance. And people not into romance novels are going to quickly see that’s the majority of what’s reviewed here and leave.
Anyway, I just hope the site doesn’t lose the focus it has on reviewing and discussing all types of romances, including TV and film, in order to pull a few more people in. The thing is, if people aren’t interested in romances, they aren’t going to stay around for the less frequent WF or suspense reviews. Especially if their attitude is anti-romance books, as so many are. I feel like some would view any reviews here as “suspect.”
Please be assured – as I’ve said somewhere else – if we do decide to change the name that will be the ONLY change. We’re as dedicated to providing the content our readers want to see as ever, and we have no intention of changing that.
I said no to changing the name, but it’s really a maybe. Since the survey popped up first (on top of the post), I actually voted before reading your reasoning. But even without seeing what you wrote, I figured it was something along those lines for why you’d be thinking of making a change – and I totally understand and support your doing what needs to be done to help the site survive.
Yes we who come here to talk books are romance readers and look here for romance book talk, but changing the name doesn’t mean having to change any of that. And I know it’s a fact that having the romance front and center in the name of the site means that some authors/publishers/readers will shy away as “not a space for them” – some for sneering reasons and some for purely business-minded ones.
The goal, as I’d guess it to be, is to get as many readers/visitors to the site as possible – both for the sake of the site’s survival, and because it makes the content/discussion that much better. So if changing the name means that you’d gain more readers/visitors/interest than you’d lose? You should to it.
As to what to call it? That’s a really hard one. I would personally shy away from something that sounds too gooey or “sexy”, but that’s me. So I’d lean to the more general sounding names, but they can also sound kind of bland. How’s that for helpful?
The goal is site survival, that’s for sure!
No, because the site’s women’s fiction and mystery reviews are not what draw in it main audience. Look at the Bridgerton thread, look at popular review threads on the website.
How about “Romance Is My Side Piece”? Lol
I think it’s a shame that a so-called “Women’s fiction” writer doesn’t want to be sullied with the “romance” label and yet, I’d be willing to bet, the majority of her readers are also romance readers. Sigh.
Sadly, I have to agree with you. I’m sure that one of the reasons for the massive shift to cartoon covers in romance novels is because publishers are desperate to disguise them in an effort to entice new readers who don’t want to get those horrible romance cooties all over them. Way to go publishers – trying to attract new readers who might not stick around while effectively dissing your already existing readership – who also, incidentally, foot the bills for practically everything else.
*ahem. Climbs off soapbox*.
I’m not against a name change in principle, though – because IMO the current name doesn’t accurately reflect where we are and what we do now.
I personally do not want a change.
If others find it useful – I understand the arguments, though I am proud of my reading romance, and calling it that – if others find it useful, please keep AAR – whether Reviews. or Reading or another R
So in the poll, I did the not logical thing and voted no but chose the AAReading option.
Curious how it turns out.
I’m not against change and evolution at all, but is the main focus of this site not romance? Are we not passionate about romance books in all their variations? That’s certainly what I’m here for.
We are – although I think it’s also fair to say that we focus on books that interest a female readership and not just romance; we review a lot of women’s fiction and psychological thrillers that are clearly targeted at the female reader – and that perhaps a different name would enable us to get that across, too.I wasn’t here then, but when AAR started in 1996, there were no other (or very few) sites focusing on romance, and so the name was a perfect fit. Now though, we’re covering a wider spectrum of books.
And just to reassure anyone wondering – any change of name would NOT lead to a change of content. The only change would be the name.
“And just to reassure anyone wondering – any change of name would NOT lead to a change of content. The only change would be the name.”
I should have read this before commenting,but that’s good to know. But if there are no content changes, most people who stop by aren’t going to stay unless they are interested in romance, so,I’m not sure the point of changing the name,other than what CarolineAAR said about making it more searchable.
Searchability is everything for sure. But also huge is author and publisher buy in. Without their willingness to give us books to review and authors to talk with, we won’t survive.
It breaks my heart that so many publishers of romance are less comfortable with the word romance but I can see, from their perspective, why they are. Younger audiences matter and the word romance has a set of connotations that some, not all, but some have found less than helpful.
I’d keep the “AAR” and increase the brand focus on that…..I took the survey… What about “All About Reviews”? And I agree with oceanjasper’s last two sentences.
I prefer All About Reviews to anything listed, or else a change to just plain AAR (which could stand for whatever).
As someone who works on the site, the big issue with All About Romance is that it has very poor search engine optimization. If you want to read a review from Smart Bitches for a particular book and you type “smart bitches” and the book title, chances are you’ll get it. Because All and About are such common words, and Romance is almost guaranteed to be in the review or the page data for a romance novels, you can type All About Romance into the search engine and not actually come up with us until the second page.
If it had to be changed, I’d say AAR. Then you could have a nice graphic that is something like AAR is… All About Reviews, All About Reading, All About Romance!
While I think it’s sad that we’re stll defending romances and romance readers in 2021, I like this idea best:
“If it had to be changed, I’d say AAR. Then you could have a nice graphic that is something like AAR is… All About Reviews, All About Reading, All About Romance!”
Yes absolutely. I’d go for that.
YES!!!
I think AAR alone (with the tag line “All about Reviews, all about Reading … all about Romance) works. Lots of companies that had actual names when founded now are legally only the initials (I think IBM is an example). Would it also be more effective for search engine optimization?
Yes, because “AAR” is an uncommon phrase. If you search for that, you’d be likely to end up with us.
I’m with you, Caroline. Turning the acronym into the site’s brand name is in keeping with what corporations have been doing for several years. I have no idea whether that would help with the search engine issue, but I’m sure someone else does.
Personally, I have arrived at the point where I no longer conceal my love for historical romance, but I realize that much of the reading world still look down on the genre.
Clever and possibly workable.
Romance is being read and watched (eg. Outlander, Bridgerton) by more and more people who don’t think of their choices as romance. The genre is so much more these days than category romances and historicals featuring old-fashioned clinch covers with anachronistic ballgowns and cringeworthy punning titles. I enjoy many kinds of romance (except European historicals; can’t you tell?) but I do understand why some authors want their books to be thought of as something other than mere ‘romance’ because for many people the term still conjures up images of Harlequin or Avon-style books they wouldn’t be caught dead reading. Why not change the name? It could cross-fertilise publicity and attract more readers for both the books and for this site.