Love in the time of self-publishing

Drawing on the largest-known survey of any literary genre as well as interviews and archival research, Christine M. Larson shows how romance writers became the only authors in America to make money from the rise of ebooks – increasing their median income by 73 percent while other authors’ plunged by 40 percent. The success of romance writers, Larson argues, demonstrates the power of alternative forms of organizing influenced by gendered working patterns. It also shows how networks of relationships can amplify – or mute – certain voices. Romancelandia’s experience, Larson says, offers crucial lessons about solidarity for creators and other isolated workers in an increasingly risky employment world. Its rise and near-meltdown shows that gaining fair treatment from platforms depends on creator solidarity – but creator solidarity, in turn, depends on fair treatment of all members.