Thursday, August 20, 2009

Romance Lit Statistics

Romance Writers of America lists these interesting stats on their website, from a survey done in May of this year, reflecting numbers from 2008:

74.8 million people read at least one romance novel.

There are 29 million regular readers of romance.

24.6 percent of all Americans read a romance novel last year, versus 21.8 percent in 2005.

Women make up 90.5 percent of the romance readership; men make up 9.5 percent.

The average reader is aged 31-49 and is in a romantic relationship.

91 percent are likely to seek out an author's previously published titles after reading a novel from an author they like.

45.1 percent were not aware that authors receive no royalty payment for the purchase of used books.

4 comments:

Colleen Love said...

You know what, Sherrill? There is nothing better than a brand new, freshly printed book! The smell of them, the feel of them and I always take from the back of the pile to be sure it doesn't have a broken in binding yet. I want to break it in! :D But then I'm kind of weird too... lol.

Speaking of... I am still looking for your books up here in Washington! I cannot find them anywhere! I even went to B&N in the mall and they didn't have it. I'm so bummed! No worries though, I am still looking! I will probably have to order it.

Hugs!
C~

Sherrill Quinn said...

If they haven't stocked them by now, they probably didn't order any. You'll need to ask them to order you a copy. And...thanks!!! :)

Sara Creasy said...

I just spent way too much money on some new books at Amazon and consoled my self with the knowledge that at least the authors got a few cents each!

Sherrill Quinn said...

Sara, I usually buy new, too. There's just something about a brand new book!