Welcome, Librarians

Romance Writers of America is the national non-profit writers association for the women and men who write romance fiction. So many libraries have discovered the success of popular genre fiction in their collections—not to be excluded from those collections is romance—the most popular of all genre fiction. The authors in RWA are committed to establishing and maintaining a good relationship with librarians.

Did You Know? 

• Romance fiction generated $1.36 billion in sales in 2009.
• 74.8 million people read at least one romance novel in 2008.
• 24.6 percent of all Americans read a romance novel in 2008, versus 21.8 percent in 2005.
• 29 percent of Americans over the age of 13 read a romance novel in 2008.
• Women make up 90.5 percent of the romance readership, and men make up 9.5 percent.
• The most popular places romance novels are read are at home or while traveling or on vacation.
• 29 percent of romance readers usually carry a romance novel with them.
• Romance readers typically begin and finish a romance novel within 7 days.

Click here to learn more information on the popularity and diversity of the romance genre, readership and sales statistics, and romance subgenres.

• Librarians Day at the RWA Conference: RWA will host a day of education and networking for librarians at its Annual Conference at the Anaheim Marriott on July 25. New York Times best-selling author Kerrelyn Sparks will be the Librarian Luncheon speaker! Librarian registration is limited to the first 100 registrants. Register now! Click here to register online, or download the printable form here. Check back soon for a complete schedule of Librarians Day sessions.
  
  ALA Midwinter: Stop by the exhibit hall "Pop-Top" stage at ALA Midwinter in Dallas on January 22. There will be several Romance Day events featuring bestselling romance authors. Each Romance Day panel will be followed by a book signing. Check your ALA Midwinter Conference program for details.
• Public Library Association Conference: RWA will host a booth at PLA in Philadelphia in 2012. Stop by the RWA booth for information on the genre and a book signed by one of your favorite romance authors. Check back in early 2012 for a schedule of authors signing.
• BookExpo America: RWA will host a booth at BEA in New York in 2012. Stop by the RWA booth for information on the genre and a book signed by one of your favorite romance authors. Check back in early 2012 for a schedule of authors signing.
• Librarian of the Year: Each year, RWA awards one librarian who has shown outstanding support of the romance genre with the Librarian of the Year Award. Congratulations to the 2011 RWA Librarian of the Year, Wendy Crutcher!
• Romance Writers of America Library Grant through the Public Library Association: The Romance Writers of America Library Grant is designed to provide a public library the opportunity to build or expand its romance fiction collection and/or host romance fiction programming. The grant consists of $4500 to be used toward the purchase of romance fiction, author honorariums and travel expenses, and other applicable program expenses.
• Authors and Libraries: Learn more about how to interact with romance authors in your library.
• Center for the Book: RWA is proud to announce that it is a Reading Promotion Partner with the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book.
• Archives and Collections: RWA’s archives are housed at Bowling Green State University’s Browne Popular Culture Library. The Browne Popular Culture Library also has an extensive romance manuscript collection, which according to the library’s Web site, “contain[s] correspondence, fan mail, literary manuscripts, and galley sheets from many prominent romance writers.”
• RWA Chapters: Use this chapter listing to find the websites of RWA chapters in your area.
• Affiliate Membership for Librarians: Learn more about how you can become a member of RWA.
  • Libraries Seeking Foreign Editions: Are you looking for foreign-language romance novels for your library? Sign up to add yourself to RWA's database of libraries seeking foreign editions, which romance authors reference when donating foreign language editions of their books.
  • RWA Speakers Bureau: Looking for an author for your next library event? Check out a list of available authors at RWA's Speakers Bureau.
  • Materials: If you are interested in receiving shelf talkers and posters to promote the romance collection in your library, contact libraries@rwa.org.
  • Magazines/Journals: These publications feature information on romance titles.

  • Looking for more information on the romance genre or have a question about RWA? E-mail libraries@rwa.org.